The Critique of Power: Reflective Stages in a Critical Social Theory (Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought)

About this book

In this rich interpretation of the history of critical theory Axel Hormeth clarifies critical theorys central problems and emphasizes the social factors that should provide it with a normative and practical orientation. Axel Honneths Critique of Power is a rich interpretation of the history of critical theory which clarifies its central problems and emphasizes the "social" factors that should provide that theory with a normative and practical orientation. Honneth focuses on the dialog between French and German social theory that was beginning at the time of Michel Foucaults death. It traces the common roots of the work of Foucault and Jrgen Habermas to a basic text of the last generation of critical theoristsMax Horkheimer and Theodor Adornos Dialectic of Enlightenmentand draws from this connection the outline of a program that might unite and surpass their seemingly irreconcilable methods of critiquing power structures. In doing so Honneth provides a constructive and nonpolemical framework for comparisons between the two theorists. And he presents a novel interpretation of Foucaults analysis of social systems. Honneth traces the internal contradictions in critical theory through an analysis of Horkheimers early programmatic writings the Dialectic of Enlightenment and Adornos later social-theoretical writings. He shows how Habermas and Foucault in their distinctive ways reinserted the social world into critical theory but argues that neither operation has been wholly successful. His cogent analysis redirects critical social theory in ways that can draw on the strengths and avoid the weaknesses of the two approaches.