The theory of crisis has always played a central role within Marxism, and yet has been one of the weakest theoretical elements of Marxist political economy, while Marx's own writings on crisis have been neglected. The recent publication of the last important manuscripts makes it possible for the first time to provide a complete and systematic account of Marx's theory of crisis.

Simon Clarke's important new book begins with a critical analytical survey of Marxist theories of crisis, before focusing on the development of the theory of crisis in Marx's own works, examining the theory within the context of Marx's critique of political economy and of his distinctive theory of the dynamics of capitalism.

The book concentrates on the scientific interpretation and evaluation of the theory of crisis, and will be of interest to mainstream economists, as well as to sociologists, political scientists and students of Marx and Marxism.