We are going through an unprecedented period of political instability. With the rise of the alt-right and of xenophobic sentiment, and the fallout of neoliberal government policies, our political future is at stake. These times call for the type of critical thought that gave rise to the Frankfurt School in the 1920s and post-structuralism in the 1960s. Yet, in the face of our crises today, contemporary critical theory feels disarmed.
Critical theory is in disarray because of a wave of anti-foundational challenges in the 1970s that shattered the epistemological foundations of the Frankfurt School, which were positivist and built on the Marxist foundations of class struggle and proletarian revolution. The anti-foundational critiques fractured critical theory, but did not rebuild it. The result is that critical theory has since been mired in internecine battles of influence.
Critique & Praxis is a corrective. Its ambition is four-fold. First, the book reconstructs critical theory by proposing a pure theory of illusions. The heart of critique is the unveiling of belief systems that mask the distribution of wealth, resources, and welfare in society; but as we unveil, we create new illusions that then themselves need to be unmasked. A reconstructed critical theory offers an infinite loop of critique, constantly reexamining how our own belief systems and material conditions reorder society.
Second, the book offers a new critical horizon for the future. It challenges the hidden work that is performed by traditional critical utopias such as socialism, communism, or the withering of the state. Rather than posit a particular political economic regime, a reconstructed critical utopia must assess how really-existing regimes (capitalist, socialist, or communist) approximate the core values of the critical Left, namely equity, compassion, and respect. It calls for a pure theory of values.
Third, the book reconstructs critical praxis. Once critique and utopia are liberated of their foundational constraints, critical theory must call for entirely situated practices that push really-existing regimes Left. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, and nothing is off the table. Critical theory cannot endorse in the abstract a vanguard party, any more than it can espouse non-violence. Every unique political context will call for specific tactics that are GPS-, date-, and time-stamped—for a pure theory of tactics.
Fourth, the book proposes a situated and time-stamped response to the question “What is to be done?” We need to stop Donald Trump in his tracks by litigating his executive orders, supporting swing-district candidates in 2018, exposing his corruption, and delaying his Supreme Court appointment. We need to support a Left populist movement for the 2020 presidential elections, form alliances, and empower those who are disengaged now; and generate better interpretations than Trump. Finally, we need to do the long-term labor of promoting and instilling Left critical values throughout society.
Critique & Praxis performs these tasks through a history of theory and praxis from the 19th to the 21st century, a reconstruction of critique, utopia, and praxis, and an answer to the question “What is to be done? New York, September 1, 2018.” This is a first draft, but the issues are too pressing to wait. Comments and reactions are welcome.