Early Lukacs

About 25 years ago, when the work of George Lukacs—and especially of the young Lukacs–was hardly known outside a rather restricted circle, it was easy to see what motivated his interpreters in wanting to find a new audience for him: they expected that his critique of cultural history and social theory would enable them to claim a tradition for their own work. Values had to be defended against those who were seen to be the vulgarians and authoritarians of the left. The available models...