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The history and ideas of Marxism: the relevance for OR

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  • R J Ormerod

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

The paper examines the origins of Marxism in Europe in the second half of the 19th century in the context of the industrial and political revolutions of the previous century. The philosophical, economic, social and ethical ideas of Marxism are explained and critiqued. It is suggested that although many of Marx's predictions have proved wrong and the application of his ideas often disastrous, his concern for the exploited and his emphasis on the dynamic of change still has relevance today for OR. The paper explores where that relevance lies and how advantage might be taken of the insights Marx's analysis of society offers.

Suggested Citation

  • R J Ormerod, 2008. "The history and ideas of Marxism: the relevance for OR," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(12), pages 1573-1590, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:59:y:2008:i:12:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2602495
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602495
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jonathan Rosenhead, 2003. "Obituary Stafford Beer," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 54(12), pages 1231-1233, December.
    2. J-R Córdoba & G Midgley, 2006. "Broadening the boundaries: an application of critical systems thinking to IS planning in Colombia," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(9), pages 1064-1080, September.
    3. R Ormerod, 2006. "The history and ideas of pragmatism," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(8), pages 892-909, August.
    4. M Walsh & T Hostick, 2005. "Improving health care through community OR," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 56(2), pages 193-201, February.
    5. I Munro & J Mingers, 2004. "Response to Richard Ormerod," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 55(1), pages 90-93, January.
    6. W Ulrich, 2003. "Beyond methodology choice: critical systems thinking as critically systemic discourse," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 54(4), pages 325-342, April.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. R J Ormerod, 2009. "The history and ideas of critical rationalism: the philosophy of Karl Popper and its implications for OR," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(4), pages 441-460, April.
    2. Ormerod, Richard & Yearworth, Mike & White, Leroy, 2023. "Understanding participant actions in OR interventions using practice theories: A research agenda," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 306(2), pages 810-827.

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