Capital as Power

A Study of Order and Creorder

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Capital as Power by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler ISBN: 9781134022298
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: June 2, 2009
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
ISBN: 9781134022298
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: June 2, 2009
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Conventional theories of capitalism are mired in a deep crisis: after centuries of debate, they are still unable to tell us what capital is. Liberals and Marxists both think of capital as an ‘economic’ entity that they count in universal units of ‘utils’ or ‘abstract labour’, respectively. But these units are totally fictitious. Nobody has ever been able to observe or measure them, and for a good reason: they don’t exist. Since liberalism and Marxism depend on these non-existing units, their theories hang in suspension. They cannot explain the process that matters most – the accumulation of capital.

This book offers a radical alternative. According to the authors, capital is not a narrow economic entity, but a symbolic quantification of power. It has little to do with utility or abstract labour, and it extends far beyond machines and production lines. Capital, the authors claim, represents the organized power of dominant capital groups to reshape – or creorder – their society.

Written in simple language, accessible to lay readers and experts alike, the book develops a novel political economy. It takes the reader through the history, assumptions and limitations of mainstream economics and its associated theories of politics. It examines the evolution of Marxist thinking on accumulation and the state. And it articulates an innovative theory of ‘capital as power’ and a new history of the ‘capitalist mode of power’.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Conventional theories of capitalism are mired in a deep crisis: after centuries of debate, they are still unable to tell us what capital is. Liberals and Marxists both think of capital as an ‘economic’ entity that they count in universal units of ‘utils’ or ‘abstract labour’, respectively. But these units are totally fictitious. Nobody has ever been able to observe or measure them, and for a good reason: they don’t exist. Since liberalism and Marxism depend on these non-existing units, their theories hang in suspension. They cannot explain the process that matters most – the accumulation of capital.

This book offers a radical alternative. According to the authors, capital is not a narrow economic entity, but a symbolic quantification of power. It has little to do with utility or abstract labour, and it extends far beyond machines and production lines. Capital, the authors claim, represents the organized power of dominant capital groups to reshape – or creorder – their society.

Written in simple language, accessible to lay readers and experts alike, the book develops a novel political economy. It takes the reader through the history, assumptions and limitations of mainstream economics and its associated theories of politics. It examines the evolution of Marxist thinking on accumulation and the state. And it articulates an innovative theory of ‘capital as power’ and a new history of the ‘capitalist mode of power’.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Critical And Effective Histories by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Austria, Prussia and The Making of Germany by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book University Libraries and Space in the Digital World by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Keywords in Remix Studies by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book The Horse-head Fiddle and the Cosmopolitan Reimagination of Tradition in Mongolia by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Archaeological Surveys in Baluchistan, 1948 and 1957 by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Justice in Transition by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book A History of Greece by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Developing Strategies for the Modern International Airport by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book European Governmentality by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Ageing, Gender, and Illness in Anglophone Literature by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Children as Readers in Children's Literature by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book Portraits of Pioneers in Psychology by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book A Comprehensive Commentary on the Quran by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
Cover of the book The English Traditional Ballad by Jonathan Nitzan, Shimshon Bichler
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy