Time, Labor, and Social Domination: A Reinterpretation of Marx's Critical TheoryMoishe Postone undertakes a fundamental reinterpretation of Karl Marx's mature critical theory. He calls into question many of the presuppositions of traditional Marxist analyses and offers new interpretations of Marx's central arguments. He does so by developing concepts aimed at grasping the essential character and historical development of modern society, and also at overcoming the familiar dichotomies of structure and action, meaning and material life. These concepts lead him to an original analysis of the nature and problems of capitalism and provide the basis for a critique of 'actually existing socialism'. According to this new interpretation, Marx identifies the core of the capitalist system with an impersonal form of social domination generated by labor and the industrial production process are characterized as expressions of domination generated by labor itself and not simply with market mechanisms and private property. Proletarian labor and the industrial production process are characterized as expressions of domination rather than as means of human emancipation. This reinterpretation entails the form of economic growth and the structure of social labor in modern society to the alienation and domination at the heart of capitalism. This reformulation, Postone argues, provides the foundation for a critical social theory that is more adequate to late twentieth-century capitalism. |
Contents
III | 3 |
IV | 7 |
V | 15 |
VI | 21 |
VII | 24 |
VIII | 29 |
IX | 34 |
X | 36 |
XXXI | 183 |
XXXII | 186 |
XXXIII | 190 |
XXXIV | 193 |
XXXV | 200 |
XXXVI | 216 |
XXXVII | 226 |
XXXVIII | 227 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract according according to Marx action activity adequate alienated appear approach argues attempt basic basis become capitalist society central changes character characterized commodity conception concrete considered constituted contradiction critical theory critique determinate dialectic dimension direct discussion distribution domination dynamic economy effected entails essential examine example existence expressed forces form of social form of wealth formation function fundamental grasp ground Habermas hence historically specific human Ibid immanent implies increased indicates individual industrial interpretation intrinsic knowledge labor in capitalism logic Marx Marx's analysis Marxian Marxism material wealth means mode nature necessary noted notion object opposition organization overcoming particular political economy position possibility practice present production provides question reference remains result seen social forms social mediation social relations sort sphere standpoint structure subjectivity surplus value temporal theoretical traditional trans transformation transhistorical understanding understood universal workers