Critique of Capitalism: Reasons and Varieties by Asger Sørensen, Ph.D.
Asger Sørensen, Ph.D., delves into the critique of capitalism, exploring various perspectives such as political contestation, economic analysis, and value assessment. Through historical contexts and theoretical frameworks, Sørensen raises fundamental questions about capitalism's impact on freedom, power, justice, and social structures.
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Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Ph.D., associate professor Department of Education, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk
Why critique of capitalism? Well, Jacob asked, and I said yes! Generational theme - before post-modernism Most of my theoretical life therefore difficult But: Who could resist talking about capitalism at CBS? Commonplace ideals: Solidarity, equality, freedom 1789 Revolution vs. reform or revision? Also: For my own sake brainstorm and overview Current project: Politics between critique, authority and creation the argument for democracy 21-02-2014 2 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk
What is critique? I Critique A. Political or social contestation and opposition Liberalist: Lack of freedom, morality and human rights (Spencer) Republican: Lack of political power, political rights and corruption of virtues (Rousseau, Paine) Communist: alienation and economic injustice (money), unequal social recognition, status (Marx) B. Analysis and rational reconstruction like Kant s three Critiques Criticism C. Aesthetic contestation, evaluation, judgement literature, theatre, arts critique of civilisation, culture and modernity (Nietzsche) 21-02-2014 3 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk
What is Capitalism? Economy Production, distribution, consumption Value and price chain Market Commodity form Supply and demand Constitution and regulation politics and law Capitalism Competition, wage earning and non-material value Need for pacific accumulation of capital (reinvestment, circulation) Expansion of commodification (money, workforce, culture, care etc.) 21-02-2014 4 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk
What is value? Value Classical political economy: Use and work (Locke), exchange (Smith), Ricardo (utility), surplus (Marx) Value vs. market price (Kant) Moral, spiritual, aesthetic etc. Utility Use-value, demand, exchange-value Measured by price (not value) Marginal utility I Neo-classical economics (Jevons, Menger, Walras): Decreasing material consumption 20thcentury: Keynes vs. Marxists and neo-classics Marginal utility II Volker Bank: Increasing symbolic consumption (education, enlightenment, culture) 21-02-2014 5 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk
Why criticize capitalism? Spirit of capitalism: Reasons to participate (Weber, Boltanski & Chiapello) Legitimacy of social order: Security, fairness and stimulation 200 years of modern value creation: Growth, progress, civilizing effects, freedom, democracy, power, wealth, peace, prosperity etc. But also: Alienation, commodification, corporal suffering Undemocratic: Property rights vs. political rights or human rights Injustice, wage slavery, starvation, pain Destruction of environment, climate 21-02-2014 6 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk
What to criticize? Chaos - conservative Capitalism produce constant renewal of social order Ideal: stability, security, legitimate social hierarchy, family, community, religion Christendom and Islam Action liberal Moral criticism or lack of freedom Ideals: responsibility, fairness, obligation, duty Adam Smith (political economy) Structures socialist Necessity of accumulation, growth Interests rates usury Marx (Critique of political economy) Dynamics Instrumentalization of rationality (homo economicus) Business becomes theft Weber, Durkheim, Mauss 21-02-2014 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk 7
What is critique? IIa Critique of political economy (A+B) Exploitation of the surplus value The decline of the rate of profit Hilferding, Bernstein Critique of ideology I (A+B) The ruling thoughts are those of the rulers Enlightenment and truth! Critical theory of society Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, Habermas 21-02-2014 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk 8
What is critique? IIb Critical rationalism (B) Analysis of truth, science, knowledge vs. illusion and opinion Popper Critique of ideology II (B+C) Living spontaneity vs. burden of culture, rationalization Artistic freedom and creativity Against slave mentality and morality Revaluation of value: generosity Discourse analysis Freud, Foucault, Luhmann 21-02-2014 Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk 9
What is critique? III Social critique (A) Injustice, inequality, misery, exploitation, selfishness, individualism, lack of solidarity Ideal: Justice, fairness, solidarity, Artistic critique (C) Oppression (market domination, factory discipline) Massification, standardization, pervasive commodification Ideal: liberation, individual autonomy, singularity, authenticity, creativity Exit, protest or weak criticism: Cynicism, wait-and-see? 1968: revolution, reform or revision? Critical sociology sociology of criticism Critique adjusts and improves capitalism (Boltanski & Chiapello) The spirit of capitalism develops First step: social criticism security and fairness Second step: artistic criticism fairness and stimulation Critique of capitalism reasons and varieties Asger S rensen, Aarhus university, aso@dpu.dk 21-02-2014 10
