Power, alienation and performativity in capitalist societies

The article presents a model of performative agency in capitalist societies. The first section reconsiders the problem of third-dimensional power as developed by Steven Lukes, focusing on the relationships between universal human needs and social forms. The second section uses the concepts of the ‘s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of social theory 2011-05, Vol.14 (2), p.161-179
Main Author: Tyler, Colin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agency
Alienation
Capitalism
Capitalist Societies
Citizen Participation
Civil Society
Emotions
Human agency
Human Nature
Institutions
Judgement
Marginality
Mead, George Herbert (1863-1931)
Needs
Performativity
Political sociology
Political systems, parties and institutions
Power
Rationalism
Self
Social Institutions
Social integration. Social relations. Social participation
Social organization. Social system. Social structure
Social theories
Sociology
Universalism
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Summary:The article presents a model of performative agency in capitalist societies. The first section reconsiders the problem of third-dimensional power as developed by Steven Lukes, focusing on the relationships between universal human needs and social forms. The second section uses the concepts of the ‘self’, ‘I’ and ‘person’ to characterize the relationships between human nature, affect, individual alienation, social institutions and personal judgement. Alienation is argued to be inherent in human agency, rather than being solely created by capitalism. The next section applies this analysis within an agonal theory of civil society that is driven by the individual’s performative participation in associations that compete within institutional settings. Finally the article considers the political ramifications of this model, rejecting contemporary constitutionalist approaches in favour of a revised form of pluralist associationalism. Throughout, the article warns of the dangerous marginalization of emotions (or ‘affect’) by excessively self-conscious, rationalist approaches such as Mead’s social theory, liberal universalism and even some performative theories.
ISSN:1368-4310
1461-7137
DOI:10.1177/1368431011403460