scholarly journals The concept of social domination in axel Honneth’s critical theory

Sociologija ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-24
Author(s):  
Marjan Ivkovic
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Central Place ◽  
Recent Attempt ◽  
Theoretic Approach ◽  
Early Article ◽  
Theoretical System ◽  
Social Domination ◽  
Influential Theory

This paper attempts to reconstruct the concept of social domination articulated in the early works of Axel Honneth, a key figure of the ?third generation? of critical theory. The author argues that one of the key ambitions of the early Honneth, expressed through his critique of Jurgen Habermas, was to theorize the process of societal reproduction in contemporary capitalism in ?action-theoretic? terms, i.e. as determined by the inter-group dynamics of social conflict and domination, as opposed to Habermas? systems-theoretic approach. The author analyzes Honneth?s criticism of Habermas developed in ?The Critique of Power?, and focuses more narrowly on Honneth?s conceptualization of social domination outlined in the early article ?Moral Conscioussness and Class Domination?. The analysis grounds the author?s subsequent reconstruction of the early Honneth?s conception of social domination as a two-dimensional phenomenon that encompasses an ?intentional? and a ?structural? dimension. Turning towards Honneth?s mature perspective, the author argues that a critique of social domination no longer occupies a central place in Honneth?s influential theory of recognition. Finally, the author considers Honneth?s only recent attempt at theorizing domination presented in the article ?Recognition as Ideology?, and argues that Honneth has so far missed the opportunity to integrate the early social-theoretical perspective on domination into his mature theoretical system.

Time, Labor, and Social Domination: A Reinterpretation of Marx's Critical Theory.

Social Forces ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 1172
Author(s):  
Richard D. Wolff ◽  
Moishe Postone
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Social Domination

Perversity in the Performative

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Weisband
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
The Unconscious ◽  
Central Focus ◽  
Explanatory Relevance ◽  
Mass Atrocity ◽  
Ebb And Flow

To study the staged performative transgressions of victims, sadistic cruelty borne by the desire on the part of perpetrators to witness the collective dying of victims, requires analytical orientations beyond those focused exclusively on motivations cast in rational or rationalizing, cognitive or purposive strategic terms. Performativity as a theoretical perspective establishes the explanatory relevance of the unconscious in appraising the dynamics of desire, shame, and sadistic cruelty among perpetrators. Various psychosocial perspectives may be adopted in this regard. Sadistic behaviors are not only cruel; they demand that the cruelty be displayed in the name of the laws of prohibition. Perpetrator behaviors in mass atrocity demonstrate the psychic elements of emotionality and fantasy, paranoia and obsession. Group dynamics in the macabresque ebb and flow in the subterranean tides of anxiety and psychic desire made manifest by reifications and sadistic hate, a central focus of study in the analysis of perpetrator performativity.

Time, Labor and Social Domination: A Reinterpretation of Marx's Critical Theory.

1995 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Fracchia ◽  
Moishe Postone
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Social Domination

scholarly journals Representations – A critical look at media’s role in cleanliness conventions and inconspicuous consumption

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tullia Jack
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Consumer Culture ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Standards Of Living ◽  
The World ◽  
Consumption Practices ◽  
High Standards

In post-industrialist societies, similar high standards of living are becoming not only desired but also expected the world over. Globalising processes ensure that every material desire is within the reach of ordinary citizens, and then flame these desires in order to sustain continuous growth narratives. But are increasingly resource-intensive lifestyles sustainable, or even desirable? This article investigates cleanliness using representations in media to understand how practices – including washing, disinfecting and sanitising – have become increasingly normal. Five popular Swedish magazines from 1985 to 2015 are used to track the representations of cleanliness. Idealisation, shame and medicalisation are the main themes arising from this data set. These themes aim to perpetuate higher cleanliness conventions and translate them into consumer goods. The article is inspired by a critical theoretical perspective which helps to reveal inequalities perpetuated by the way media represents cleanliness and suggests that the imperative to clean falls most heavily on those who lack the resources to resist. Processes of inclusion and exclusion are inherent in consumer culture and this attempt at using critical theory to understand consumption practices illuminates consumption’s role in not only increasing pressure on the natural environment but also amplifying social stratification.

scholarly journals Kritik der Politik als Politikwissenschaft?

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (160) ◽  
pp. 455-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Schlemermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Political Strategies ◽  
Dynamic Character ◽  
Social Contingency ◽  
Structure And Agency ◽  
Social Struggle ◽  
The Relationship

According to most of the present exponents of a critical theory of the state, the recent transformations in statehood have to be analyzed as results of social struggle und political strategies. But most of them lack a social theory of the specific historical character of heteronomy and the relationship between structure and agency in capitalism. Therefore they tend to overestimate the degree of social contingency and the possibilities for an intrinsic reform of capitalism. The article tries to outline an alternative, but nevertheless non-functionalist, model of the specific logic of the transformations in statehood which is linked to a concept of the historical core dynamic of capitalism in general. In this way the article aims to contribute to an understanding of the vast historical changes from liberal, to Fordist, and then to neo-liberal modes of capitalism by offering a theoretical perspective to analyze the dynamic character of the capitalist reproduction of modern society.

Herrschaft begreifen: Anerkennung und Macht in Axel Honneths kritischer Theorie

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Allen
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Recognition Model ◽  
Axel Honneth ◽  
Social Domination ◽  
Satisfactory Analysis ◽  
Struggle For Recognition

AbstractAxel Honneth frames his contribution to the tradition of critical theory as an attempt to do justice to both the structures of social domination in contemporary Western societies and the practical resources for their overcoming. This paper assesses how well Honneth’s critical theory, which centers on the notion of the struggle for recognition, accomplishes the first of these two tasks. I argue that Honneth has yet to offer a fully satisfactory analysis of domination because his recognition model is unable to make sense of modes of subordination that function without producing any struggle.

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