Critical Theory as Radical Crisis Theory: Kurz, Krisis and Exit! on Value Theory, the Crisis, and the Breakdown of Capitalism

Mikkel Bolt; Dominique Routhier

Critical Theory as Radical Crisis Theory: Kurz, Krisis and Exit! on Value Theory, the Crisis, and the Breakdown of Capitalism

Mikkel Bolt, Dominique Routhier

Department of Arts and Cultural Studies

Abstract

The essay introduces the work of Robert Kurz and the somewhat marginalized species of value critique that he is associated with: Wertkritik. On the basis of a critical historiographical account of the “New Marx Reading,” it argues that the theoretical and political differences between Wertkritik and other value-critical currents cannot be glossed over or dismissed as mere territorial strife but must instead be understood as an expression of a more fundamental disagreement about the nature of capitalism and the role of “critique,” the distinctive feature of course being the insistence on a proper theory of crisis. The essay presents Kurz’s particular version of Wertkritik but argues against his abandonment of the notion of class struggle and proposes to supplement Kurz’s analysis with Théorie Communiste’s more historically grounded analysis of the present period of capital.

Original language	English
Journal	Rethinking Marxism
Volume	31
Issue number	2
Pages (from-to)	187-207
ISSN	0893-5696
Publication status	Published - 3 Apr 2019

Keywords

Faculty of Humanities
Value Theory
Kurz, Robert
Crisis
Capitalism
Proletariat
Théorie Communiste

Cite this

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title = "Critical Theory as Radical Crisis Theory: Kurz, Krisis and Exit! on Value Theory, the Crisis, and the Breakdown of Capitalism",

abstract = "The essay introduces the work of Robert Kurz and the somewhat marginalized species of value critique that he is associated with: Wertkritik. On the basis of a critical historiographical account of the “New Marx Reading,” it argues that the theoretical and political differences between Wertkritik and other value-critical currents cannot be glossed over or dismissed as mere territorial strife but must instead be understood as an expression of a more fundamental disagreement about the nature of capitalism and the role of “critique,” the distinctive feature of course being the insistence on a proper theory of crisis. The essay presents Kurz{\textquoteright}s particular version of Wertkritik but argues against his abandonment of the notion of class struggle and proposes to supplement Kurz{\textquoteright}s analysis with Th{\'e}orie Communiste{\textquoteright}s more historically grounded analysis of the present period of capital.",

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AB - The essay introduces the work of Robert Kurz and the somewhat marginalized species of value critique that he is associated with: Wertkritik. On the basis of a critical historiographical account of the “New Marx Reading,” it argues that the theoretical and political differences between Wertkritik and other value-critical currents cannot be glossed over or dismissed as mere territorial strife but must instead be understood as an expression of a more fundamental disagreement about the nature of capitalism and the role of “critique,” the distinctive feature of course being the insistence on a proper theory of crisis. The essay presents Kurz’s particular version of Wertkritik but argues against his abandonment of the notion of class struggle and proposes to supplement Kurz’s analysis with Théorie Communiste’s more historically grounded analysis of the present period of capital.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

KW - Værdikritik

KW - Kurz, Robert

KW - Krise

KW - Kapitalisme

KW - Proletariat

KW - Théorie communiste

KW - Value Theory

KW - Kurz, Robert

KW - Crisis

KW - Capitalism

KW - Proletariat

KW - Théorie Communiste

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JO - Rethinking Marxism

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ER -

Critical Theory as Radical Crisis Theory: Kurz, Krisis and Exit! on Value Theory, the Crisis, and the Breakdown of Capitalism

Abstract

Keywords

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