This paper argues that Marx’s account of capitalism is strikingly contemporary and uniquely relevant for understanding and making history in the 21st century. However, because it is also flawed, this paper seeks and promotes ongoing critical renovation of Marx and Marxism via the search for a second generation neo-Marxism tailored to the 21st century.

I offer, first of all, a critical, inclusive, non-sectarian and holistic second-generation neo-Marxist reading of Marx’s key works. This reading makes the connections, but also points to gaps, unevenness, contradictions and mistakes, across Marx's key works. Part Two extends, deepens, and critically renovates Marx’s project focusing specifically on contemporary themes regarding the neoliberal model of capitalism and the possibilities for the future.

My recently published book 'The struggle to make democratic socialism in the twenty-first century' is treated as a key resource for this paper.