Capitalism and Social Theory:: Essays and Inquiry

By Rajani and Rajani Kanth

Book Overview

This work examines the complex, detailed relationship between the theory of wealth and the theory of power, both subsumed as they are under the overarching mantle of capitalist ideology, ever distorting real connections and evading critical issues. It examines various theories of class, state, and power either explicitly or implicitly avowed in the diverse social science disciplines of politics, economics, and sociology. In illuminating the subtle machinations of ideology, it boldly reveals the realist ontology of capitalism which produces illusory theory. The essays employ transcendental realism, emphasizing the primacy of ontology over epistemology as a mode of critique, necessarily going beyond traditional Marxian arguments in many cases. Although intended only as an analytical critique, the project is emancipatory of necessity, for it allows, ultimately, for an increased purchase on reality.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156324070X
• ISBN13: 9781563240706
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Failed attempt at rescuing Marxism from logical flaws

The reviewer states that the author attempts to save classical Marxism from the onslaught of capitalist theory and practice. He fails. Miserably. The author acts as a modern Rip Van Winkle, a radical economist whose brain has apparently been asleep for the last 30 years. The author's arguments might have been vaguely believable in 1899, but 100 years of economic history has amply demonstrated the futility of socialism in all of its guises. As socialist/communist systems have floundered and fallen, producing economic stagnation and political oppression, modern capitalism has created vast new sources of wealth. Information technology systems have destroyed national barriers and interests, enabling billions of people to share in the wealth of the advanced nations. Governments from India to Chile to Great Britain have reduced their interference in the economy, allowing entrepreneurs to generate increased value and enhance the living standards of the masses. The author, along with his fellow traveler E.K. Hunt, would do well to admit the futility of continuing to pursue a line of thought (Marx, Lenin, Sraffa) that is demonstrably fallacious.