Den forbandede arv: Rousseau, Marx og traditionen

Abstract

This paper examines how first Rousseau and later Marx both try to tackle heritage
as tradition. Following Althusser’s analysis, it is argued that Rousseau’s attempt at

solving the problem fails, and that Marx, although his initial approach to the pro-
blem resembles that of Rousseau, in his mature writings finds a more constructive

way to deal with tradition as ideology. Finally, it is suggested that the failure of
Rousseau’s approach may be due to his way of framing the question.