In None so Fit to Break the Chains, Dan Swain offers an interpretation of Marx's ethics that foregrounds his commitment to working-class self-emancipation and argues for the continued relevance of this principle for contemporary politics. Self-emancipation is frequently overlooked in discussions of Marx's ethics, but it deeply influenced his criticism of capitalism, his approach towards an alternative, and his conception of his own role as activist and theorist.

By emphasizing the place of self-emancipation in Marx 's thought, Swain also arrives at new perspectives on existing debates in the interpretation of Marx, such as the meanings of concepts like alienation, exploitation, and utopianism. This exploration generates far-reaching insights into the relationship between critical theory and political practice.