Marx’s Indian writings were conjectural, not theoretical

Evidence

In context, any attempt to portray Marx as an enthusiast of colonialism would logically have to portray him as an admirer of capitalism as well, which is what he wanted Germany to achieve, as quickly as possible. … In other words, from·the historical point of view, the status of Marx’s writings on the possible consequences of British colonialism in India is not theoretical bur conjectural and speculative. — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory, 982

Categorization

• XREF: Bears directly on the Foucauldian contrast between historical-conjectural race-struggle discourse and universalistic juridical-royal discourse from Society Must Be Defended. — connects to: Marx’s colonial writings were conjectural speculation, not worked-out theory — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory: Nations, Classes, Literatures, 438; Marx’s dispatches on India require contextual scholarship, not summary dismissal — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures, 1036; Said distorted Marx’s writings in Orientalism — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing: The Orientalists…, 531 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Marx’s colonial writings were conjectural speculation, not worked-out theory #corroborates (0.95) — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory, 438
• Marx’s dispatches on India require contextual scholarship, not summary dismissal #complicates (0.85) — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory, 1036
• Said distorted Marx’s writings in Orientalism #expands (0.75) — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 531