Poststructuralism, Marxism, and Neoliberalism: Between Theory and Politics

by Michael A. Peters Professor, University of Waikato, New Zealand

Overview

This introduction to the politics of poststructuralism focuses on two interrelated themes: the culture of Western Marxism and contemporary neoliberal capitalism. Poststructuralism is not a form of anti-Marxism, Peters argues; indeed, poststructural philosophers view themselves in some kind of relationship to the legacy of Marx. Either they have been Marxist or still view themselves as Marxist. In a post-Marxist era they have invented new ways of reading and writing Marx. Peters critically engages neoliberalism, an ideology that is committed to the revitalization of homo economicus and neoclassical economics. This book is a deconstruction of neoliberalism, considered as a world-historical political project aimed at a form of globalisation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742509870
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/23/2001
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Michael A. Peters research professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Glasgow.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Politics of Poststructuralism Chapter 2 Poststructuralist Marxisms Chapter 3 Lyotard, Performativity, and the Problem of Capitalism Chapter 4 Derrida, Neoliberalism, and Democracy to Come Chapter 5 Foucault, Neoliberalism, and the Governance of Welfare Chapter 6 Deluze's "Societies of Control": From Disciplinary Pedagogy to Perpetual Training in the Knowledge Economy Chapter 7 Neoliberalism, Individualism and Global Futures Chapter 8 Bibliography Chapter 9 Index

Editorial Reviews

An outstanding book.. . Michael Peters provides an excellent critical survey of several major twentieth century French thinkers who either respond to or play against poststructuralist ideas and values as they grapple with political challenges of neoliberalism, globalization, and the rise of a knowledge economy. .. very readable and theoretically important.

Timothy Luke Timothy Luke

Micheal Peters is thoroughly immersed in the 'politics of poststructualism' but expresses his ideas with an enviable clarity and power. For anyone trying to understand what holds poststructuralism, as a 'movement of thought,' together, this is the place to start.

Stephen J. Ball

Peters provocatively challenges many misreadings of poststructural (and postmodern) writings on political and cultural analysis. He shows the relation and divergences of this writing to Marxism and finally, provides ways in which to seriously rethink the political in contemporary life. Poststructuralism, Marxism, and Neoliberalism is well-written, lucid in argument, and insightful in how it moves the philosophical discourses into policy and political analysis.

Tom Popkewitz

An outstanding book.. . Michael Peters provides an excellent critical survey of several major twentieth century French thinkers who either respond to or play against poststructuralist ideas and values as they grapple with political challenges of neoliberalism, globalization, and the rise of a knowledge economy. .. very readable and theoretically important.

Timothy Luke

Peters provocatively challenges many misreadings of poststructural (and postmodern) writings on political and cultural analysis. He shows the relation and divergences of this writing to Marxism and finally, provides ways in which to seriously rethink the political in contemporary life. Poststructuralism, Marxism, and Neoliberalism is well-written, lucid in argument, and insightful in how it moves the philosophical discourses into policy and political analysis.--Tom Popkewitz, University of Wisconsin, Madison

An outstanding book. . . Michael Peters provides an excellent critical survey of several major twentieth century French thinkers who either respond to or play against poststructuralist ideas and values as they grapple with political challenges of neoliberalism, globalization, and the rise of a knowledge economy . . . very readable and theoretically important.--Timothy Luke, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Micheal Peters is thoroughly immersed in the 'politics of poststructualism' but expresses his ideas with an enviable clarity and power. For anyone trying to understand what holds poststructuralism, as a 'movement of thought, ' together, this is the place to start.--Stephen J. Ball, University of London

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