Social Constitution and Fetishistic Social Domination in Marx, Lukács, Adorno, and Lefebvre

The Marxian theory of fetishism is usually interpreted as a theory of false consciousness, alienation, or reification pertaining to commodities or culture. This book reconstructs how Marx, Lukács, Adorno, and Lefebvre interpret and use the theory of the fetish to explain how capitalist social relations create a supra-individual, autonomous, and inverted form of social domination. These relations transform individuals into bearers of domination, thereby perpetuating capitalist society. The resulting reinterpretations of their respective social theories, and of the theory of the fetish, are crucial for a critical theory of capitalism today.

Chris O'Kane is a critical theorist who lives in Central Queens NY. Chris has taught in London, Humboldt, Portland, Texas, and New York City. He has published widely on Marx, The Frankfurt School, and Marxian Critical Theory. Chris is corresponding editor of the Historical Materialism journal. Along with Werner Bonefeld he edits the Critical Theory and Critique of Society book series.