Phenomenology and Marxism. The political commitment of Merleau-Ponty

This paper analyzes how Merleau-Ponty uses Phenomenology and Marxism in order to understand the development of the historical situation. The author distinguishes a first phase, marked by the experience of War and the Marxist expectation, from another that begins in 1950. In the latter he becomes disenchanted communism and advocates a non-Communist left or a new liberalism. The author claims that the Philosopher does not experience a conversion, as it continues to criticize the Soviet system, as well as the shortcomings of Western democracy. Although Merleau-Ponty defends the freedoms of the West, does not adhere to anti-Communism, but continues to denounce the two blocs. The author links this second stage with the course of the "institution" given by Merleau-Ponty. She evaluates, finally, the political consequences of his new ontology and its validity for the present.