This paper analyzes recent developments in neo-Marxist theory from a metatheoretical viewpoint. Specifically, the focal concern is with post-Marxism, including analytic, empirically oriented, and postmodern Marxism. The goal is to gain a better understanding of post-Marxism by utilizing the four dimensions (internal-social, internal-intellectual, external-intellectual, external-social) of the subtype of metatheorizing oriented toward such a greater understanding. Three conclusions are derived from this analysis. First, the classic schools of neo-Marxist theory are declining in significance. Second, Marx's own ideas are also of decreasing importance. Third, the post-Marxists are drawing increasingly less on Marx's ideas and neo-Marxist theories and more on other intellectual traditions. This is seen as a healthy set of developments and as part of the larger movement towards greater theoretical synthesis. The paper closes with a discussion of alternative perspectives on the development of post-Marxism.
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