"Marxism is always open, always critical, always self-critical"

Ernest Mandel's quote "Marxism is always open, constantly crucial, constantly self-critical" reflects 3 core concepts that he thought were important to the vitality and importance of Marxist theory and practice.

To start with, the notion of Marxism being "always open" recommends a framework that, while rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx, stays versatile and receptive to brand-new insights and changes in socioeconomic conditions. This openness implies that Marxism is not a dogmatic set of doctrines but rather a living body of idea that progresses with new historic advancements and empirical data. This concept encourages the constant engagement with contemporary problems, integrating advancements in other fields such as science, technology, and sociology to enrich and expand Marxist analysis.

Second of all, being "constantly important" highlights the need of maintaining a healthy skepticism towards developed systems of power and ideology. Marxism inherently critiques capitalism and other types of socio-economic exploitation, questioning their structures and their influence on human liberty and societal equity. This critical approach is not limited to external systems however encompasses internal discourse also, encouraging extensive dispute and difficult assumptions within the Marxist custom itself. Hence, it ends up being a tool for constantly pushing towards a more simply and equitable society.

Finally, the concept of being "constantly self-critical" highlights an intrinsic awareness of the limitations and prospective mistakes within Marxist idea and practice. It calls for a reflective attitude where Marxists seriously examine their own techniques, theories, and practices to gain from previous mistakes and reorient their methods as essential. This self-critical position guarantees that Marxism does not end up being stagnant or lose significance by holding on to out-of-date facilities or stopping working to recognize internal contradictions.

In sum, Mandel's view presents Marxism as a vibrant, reflective, and progressive ideology, capable of reacting to and forming the complexities of the contemporary world. It encourages constant evolution through openness, important assessment, and self-reflection, thus intending to preserve its importance in contemporary discourse and action.