Castoriadis and Critical Theory : Crisis, Critique and Radical Alternatives

Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. To my sister Chrysa Memou την αδελφ ή μoυ Xρ ύσα Mέμoυ This page intentionally left blank Contents Acknowledgements ix Introduction: Reading Castoriadis Politically 1 Origins: Early Years in Greece, Migration and Life in France 1.1 Formative years and the historicopolitical setting in Greece 1.2 Cultural milieu and intellectual influences I should like to express my deep gratitude to my sisters, Chrysa and Antigoni. I am forever indebted to Chrysa for her unconditional financial and psychological assistance and to Antigoni for her continuous moral support, care and attention. Our stimulating discussions and their sharp insights were a powerful source of inspiration and energy. This book would not have been possible without their endless patience, encouragement and support when it was most required. My sincere gratitude goes to my parents for their love, help and understanding. Part of Chapter 1 was previously published in Premat, Rosengren and Jollivet (eds) Destins d'exilés. Trois philosophes grecs à Paris: Kostas Axelos, By exploring the concepts of 'crisis' and 'critique', this study offers a thought-provoking re-examination of the political and social thought of Cornelius Castoriadis in light of the current world crisis and with regard to his radical critique of both the traditional Left and contemporary capitalist societies. Combining philosophical and political analysis, this study offers a comprehensive reassessment of Castoriadis' contribution to critical theory in and through his critical confrontation with both the crisis of the traditional Left and the crisis of modern capitalist societies. The key concepts of 'crisis' and 'critique' are considered throughout the text and Castoriadis' ideas are situated in a critical debate with other radical thinkers, such as Lefort, Pannekoek, Arendt, Althusser, Axelos, Papaioannou and Marx. The study supplies an extensive analysis and explores the contemporary relevance of Castoriadis' views regarding the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Hungarian revolt of 1956 and the events of May 1968 in France. It argues for a re-radicalization of his thought in light of the current capitalist crisis and seeks to trace his radical alternative to crisis by critically examining and further elaborating his positions with respect to socialism, autonomy and revolution "Combining philosophical and political analysis, this study offers a comprehensive reassessment of Castoriadis' contribution to critical theory in and through his critical confrontation with both the crisis of the traditional Left and the crisis of modern capitalist societies. The key concepts of 'crisis' and 'critique' are considered throughout the text and Castoriadis' ideas are situated in a critical debate with other radical thinkers, such as Lefort, Pannekoek, Arendt, Althusser, Axelos, Papaioannou and Marx. The study supplies an extensive analysis and explores the contemporary relevance of Castoriadis' views regarding the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Hungarian revolt of 1956 and the events of May 1968 in France. It argues for a re-radicalization of his thought in light of the current capitalist crisis and seeks to trace his radical alternative to crisis by critically examining and further elaborating his positions with respect to socialism, autonomy and revolution"-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction: Reading Castoriadis Politically....Pages 1-6 Origins: Early Years in Greece, Migration and Life in France....Pages 7-25 The Critique of Totalitarianism....Pages 26-45 Subversive Praxis, Open Crisis and Critique....Pages 46-69 Marx in Question....Pages 70-99 The Crisis of Modern Societies and the Revival of Emancipatory Politics....Pages 100-131 Conclusions....Pages 132-140 Back Matter....Pages 141-183