Kellner explores the effects of historical crises of capitalism and Marxism on critical theory and reflects on the continued relevance or obsolescence of Marxism and critical theory. Kellner writes, "As we move into the 1990s critical theory might help produce theoretical and political perspectives which could be part of a Left Turn that could reanimate the political hopes of the 1960s, while helping overcome and reverse the losses and regression of the 1980s."
Kellner's ambitious and useful book attempts not only to provide a conspectus of critical theory, but to carry forward what he takes to be its essential design-to 'do' critical theory as well as to analyze it.