Value criticism

Value criticism (in German Wertkritik) is a branch of postmarxism which is criticizing the capitalistic society. They are following traditions of the Frankfurt School and the critical theory developed under Max Horkheimer. Representatives are Robert Kurz, Roswitha Scholz and Moishe Postone.

Aspects of value criticism

Value criticism is taking crucial aspects of Marx critiques of commodity fetishism, commodities and value, while they criticize Marx theory of class struggle and historical materialism. As result the worker class can not necessarily be identified as revolutionary subject. Instead it is pointed out, that labor has to be understood as a historic specific entity and that criticizing capitalism implies not only to criticize the distribution process in capitalism, but also the capitalistic production process and the productive powers. Thus it can be concluded, that real socialism was finally nothing more but state capitalism, where production was still following capitalistic principals. The interpretation against the traditional marxistic point of view is defended in the Manifesto Against Labour.^[1]

Critique of value-diremption

Additional to value criticism a new branch appeared within the circle of theorists lead by Roswitha Scholz. The so-called critique of value diremption (in German called "Wertabspaltungskritik") includes not only precise descriptions of the "abstract and fetishized character of modern domination",^[2] but why irrational attitudes are deligated to women, while men are counted as relative rational actors in the capitalistic society.

Criticism

Many leftists claim, that books such as The Black Book of Capitalism do neither workout a doable alternative to the capitalistic society nor give any options of action to overcome capitalism. Additionally Gerhard Hanloser and Karl Reitter claim, that value criticism would be a critique from standpoint of the circulation sphere which can not be explained from within itself.^[3]

Publications

Publishers in Germany are the Krisis group and Exit!, in both Robert Kurz did crucial contributions. Many literature has still to be translated into English. Elmar Flatschart from University of Vienna is also publishing in English for the Exit! group. Moishe Postone and his work "Time, Labor and social domination" is often cited from value critics.

References