Capital as Power: Toward a New Cosmology of Capitalism

Capital as Power: Toward a New Cosmology of Capitalism
Bichler, Shimshon and Nitzan, Jonathan. (2009). Presentation at New Marxian Times, The Seventh International Rethinking Marxism Conference, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 6 November. (Lecture / Presentation; English).

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Abstract or Brief Description

As Marx tells us, the capitalist regime is inextricably bound up with its theories and ideologies. These theories and ideologies, first articulated by classical political economy, are much more than a passive attempt to explain, justify and critique the so-called "economic system." Instead, they constitute an entire cosmology: a system of thinking that is both active and totalizing.

In ancient Greek, kosmeo has an active connotation: it means "to order" and "to organize," and political economy does precisely that. It explains, justifies and critiques the world, but it also actively makes this world in the first place. And it pertains not to the narrow "economy" as such, but to the entire social order, as well as to the natural universe in which this social order is embedded.

The presentation outlines an alternative cosmology – the beginning of a totally different framework for understanding capitalism. It starts by spelling out the hallmarks of the present capitalist cosmology. It continues by enumerating the reasons why, over the past century, this cosmology gradually disintegrated to the point of being unable to understand and recreate its world. And it concludes by articulating key themes of our own approach to capitalism: the theory of "capital as power."

Duration of presentation: 57 minutes

Duration of Q&A: 13 minutes

Language

English

Publication Type

Lecture / Presentation

Keywords

abstract labour capital capitalization finance political economy power price production science state utility value

Subject

BN Law
BN Civilization & Social Systems
BN Theory
BN Data & Statistics
BN Cooperation & Collective Action
BN Civil Society
BN Institutions
BN Power
BN International & Global
BN Culture
BN Region - North America
BN Business Enterprise
BN Value & Price
BN Crisis
BN Production
BN Macro
BN Myth
BN Money & Finance
BN Conflict & Violence
BN Science & Technology
BN History
BN Ideology
BN Methodology
BN Distribution
BN Philosophy
BN Agency
BN Micro
BN Capital & Accumulation
BN Class

ID Code

274

Deposited On

15 December 2009

Commentary/Response Threads

• Nitzan, Jonathan and Bichler, Shimshon. Call for papers on the subject of "Capital as Power". (deposited 20 May 2009)
  • Bichler, Shimshon and Nitzan, Jonathan. Conference Panel Proposals on "Capital as Power". (deposited 12 July 2009)
    • Bichler, Shimshon and Nitzan, Jonathan. Nine Integrated Panels on "Capital as Power": Timetable and Program. (deposited 30 October 2009)
      • Bichler, Shimshon and Nitzan, Jonathan. Capital as Power: Toward a New Cosmology of Capitalism. (deposited 15 December 2009) [Currently Displayed]