Critical Theory and Libertarian Socialism: Realizing the political potential of critical social theory

Description

This volume in the Critical Theory and Contemporary Society series examines the role critical theory plays in today’s political, social, and economic crises, showing how it can help to both diagnose and remedy such problems. Critical social theory is first revisited by exposing the affinity between Marx’s critique of political economy, the critique of instrumental reason elaborated by the first generation of the Frankfurt School, and the libertarian socialism of G.D.H. Cole. This is followed by a proposal for a radical reorganization of economic and political life and the corresponding development of emancipatory practices presupposing the reconciliation of humanity and nature. Lastly, the contemporary relevance of these institutions and practices are discussed, along with cases of contemporary forms of resistance, such as the Occupy Movement and alter-globalisation. By bringing together the concerns of critical theory and libertarian socialism, this volume not only illustrates the practical side of critical theory, but also highlights its contemporary relevance. Researchers in political theory, social theory and political philosophy will find this an engaging work that will stimulate debates about new alternatives to existing problems. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Humanity, nature and the task of critique Structure of the book Notes 1 Human emancipation and labour as self-realization Idealism, autonomy and the mediated unity of humanity and nature Labour as mediation Autonomy as human emancipation On the social character of human emancipation Concluding remarks Notes 2 Towards the reconciliation of humanity and nature Problematizing the primacy of the subject From identity to the non-identical From instrumental to aesthetic rationality Concluding remarks Notes 3 Realizing the transformative potential of critical theory Rethinking the task of critical theory: The premises Rethinking the promises of dialectical negation Realizing the potential of dialectical negation Concluding remarks Notes 4 The premises of institutionalized emancipatory practice Habermas, modernity and emancipation Restoring communication free from domination For a labour-mediated reconciliation Concluding remarks Notes 5 Human emancipation and communication The ‘critique of instrumental reason’ versus the ‘theory of communicative action’ On the limitations of the Habermasian communicative framework Towards a communicative framework for the reconciliation of subject and object Concluding remarks Notes 6 Drawing the contours of institutionalized emancipatory practice Democracy and the reconciliation of humanity and nature Associations and the ‘good life’ Emancipation, production and consumption Concluding remarks Notes 7 Critical theory, libertarian socialism and reconciliation Reconciliation at the level of the satisfaction of needs Associations, dialogue and the constitution of emancipatory knowledge The ethical life of associations as a basis for a legitimate legal-political order Concluding remarks Notes 8 Conclusion: Critical theory, libertarian socialism and contemporary Western capitalist societies Anatomizing neoliberal capitalism Post-Fordism The neoliberal capitalist state Economic performance, consumerism and the cult of self-realization On the socio-historical relevance of the proposed revision Inside contemporary social movements Libertarian socialism as actualization of potentialities Final remarks Notes Bibliography Index