Postone writes:
[My] reinterpretation of Marx's mature critical theory
shifts the primary focus of his critique away from
considerations of property and the market. Unlike
traditional Marxist approaches, it provides the basis
for a critique of the nature of production, work, and
"growth" in capitalist society by arguing that they are
socially, rather than technically, constituted. Having
thus shifted the focus of the critique of capitalism
to the sphere of labor, the interpretation presented
here leads to a critique of the industrial process of
production -- hence, to a reconceptualization of the
basic determinations of socialism and a reevaluation
of the political and social role traditionally accorded
the proletariat in the possible historical overcoming
of capitalism. (pp. 6-7)
I understand Postone to be saying, then, that traditional Marxism focused
on property and the market, whereas now he is going to focus on the nature
of work. Not that he does enough or anything, but Marx does talk about
this in the _Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts_. But perhaps Postone
wants to distinguish "traditional Marxism" from Marx himself. So a
preliminary question: is it right to say that traditional Marxism focused
on what Postone says it focused on, and is the shift to a focus on "the
nature of production, work, and 'growth' in capitalist society" going to
effectively rejuvenate Marxist critique?
--John
[My] reinterpretation of Marx's mature critical theory
shifts the primary focus of his critique away from
considerations of property and the market. Unlike
traditional Marxist approaches, it provides the basis
for a critique of the nature of production, work, and
"growth" in capitalist society by arguing that they are
socially, rather than technically, constituted. Having
thus shifted the focus of the critique of capitalism
to the sphere of labor, the interpretation presented
here leads to a critique of the industrial process of
production -- hence, to a reconceptualization of the
basic determinations of socialism and a reevaluation
of the political and social role traditionally accorded
the proletariat in the possible historical overcoming
of capitalism. (pp. 6-7)
I understand Postone to be saying, then, that traditional Marxism focused
on property and the market, whereas now he is going to focus on the nature
of work. Not that he does enough or anything, but Marx does talk about
this in the _Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts_. But perhaps Postone
wants to distinguish "traditional Marxism" from Marx himself. So a
preliminary question: is it right to say that traditional Marxism focused
on what Postone says it focused on, and is the shift to a focus on "the
nature of production, work, and 'growth' in capitalist society" going to
effectively rejuvenate Marxist critique?
--John