'What is the Critique of Capitalism?' (10/08/22 panel)

East Coast Conference 2022, The New School, NYC

Marx critiqued capitalism in the 19th century, taking for his object the historical moment as expressed by the Industrial Revolution, the unsuccessful revolutions of 1848 and 1871, a weak liberalism, the centralisation of state power, the rise of the workers' movement, and the promise of socialism.

Since then, Marx’s critique has been used in manifold ways and to many different ends. What does it mean that Marx’s critique of capitalism still appeals a century and a half later? What is the relevance of Marx’s critique to the critique of the status quo: as a set of historically specific insights that fail to grasp the nature of capitalism today, in the neoliberal era? Or as still expressive of the central task of emancipatory politics?

Speakers:
Jochen Schmon (The New School for Social Research)
Daniel Lazare (CPGB, Weekly Worker)
DL Jacobs (Platypus Affiliated Society)
Saira Rafiee (CUNY)

An edited transcript of this panel can be read in Platypus Review #155
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The Platypus Affiliated Society organizes reading groups, public fora, research, and journalism focused on problems and tasks inherited from the "Old" (1920s-30s), "New" (1960s-70s), and post-political (1980s-90s) Left, for the possibilities of emancipatory politics today.

[shtefanru]

Danny Jacobs is the goat. it's very formative to listen to him