The publication of
Reading Capital-by Louis Althusser, Etienne Balibar, Roger Establet, Pierre Macherey, and Jacques Ranciere-in 1965 marked a key intervention in Marxist philosophy and critical theory, bringing forth a stunning array of concepts that continue to inspire philosophical reflection of the highest magnitude.
The Concept in Crisis reconsiders the volume's reading of Marx and renews its call for a critique of capitalism and culture for the twenty-first century. The contributors-who include Alain Badiou, Etienne Balibar, and Fernanda Navarro-interrogate Althusser's contributions in particular within the context of what is surely the most famous collective reading of Marx ever undertaken. Among other topics, they offer a symptomatic critique of Althusser; consider his writing as a materialist production of knowledge; analyze the volume's conceptualization of value and crisis; examine how leftist Latin American leaders like Che Guevara and Subcomandante Marcos engaged with Althusser and
Reading Capital; and draw out the volume's implications and use for feminist theory and praxis. Retrieving the inspiration that drove Althusser's reinterpretation of Marx,
The Concept in Crisis explains why
Reading Capital's revolutionary inflection retains its critical appeal, prompting readers to reconsider Marx's relevance in an era of neoliberal capitalism.
Contributors. Emily Apter, Alain Badiou, Etienne Balibar, Bruno Bosteels, Adrian Johnston, Warren Montag, Fernanda Navarro, Nick Nesbitt, Knox Peden, Nina Power, Robert J. C. Young
About the AuthorNick Nesbitt is Professor of French at Princeton University and the author of, most recently,
Caribbean Critique: Antillean Critical Theory from Toussaint to Glissant.
Reviews"The Concept in Crisis is an excellent collection of articles on
Reading Capital and other texts by Althusser. The articles do a great job of opening up new fields of enquiry in Althusser's writings and reinvent Althusser for the contemporary conjuncture. Each article is written in very clear language and provides enough context to be accessible to the non-specialist." -- Fabian Van Onzen * Marx & Philosophy Review of Books *
Book InformationISBN 9780822369073
Author Nick NesbittFormat Paperback
Page Count 328
Imprint Duke University PressPublisher Duke University Press
Weight(grams) 454g