From mainstream economics to the boundaries of Marxism

In this paper, we explore Marxism and critical realism by addressing Ben Fine's Addressing the Critical and the Real in Critical Realism. We outline and address Fine's main arguments—that critical realism is insufficiently critical, and that it is insufficiently realistic—before turning to analyse the relation between critical realism and Marxism. Taking Fine's argument as a starting point gives us the opportunity to clearly define the parameters of the Cambridge-based critique of mainstream economics, and to highlight some of the problems particular to that critique. It also provides an opportunity to interrogate the significance of the formation of discursive boundaries for the way we challenge conceptual credentials and claims.