Post-Marxism Versus Cultural Studies
Theory, Politics and Intervention
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Edinburgh University Press
Published:19th Apr '07
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Post-Marxism versus Cultural Studies is an innovative exploration of the ethical and political significance of Cultural Studies and Post-Marxist discourse theory. It argues that although Cultural Studies and post-Marxism tend to present themselves as distinct entities, they actually share a project -- that of taking on the political. Post-Marxism presents itself as having a developed theory of political strategy, while Cultural Studies has claimed to be both practical and political. Bowman examines these intertwined, overlapping, controversial and contested claims and orientations by way of a deconstructive reading that is led by the question of intervention: what is the intervention of post-Marxism, of Cultural Studies, of each into the other, and into other institutional and political contexts and scenes? Through considerations of key aspects of Cultural Studies and cultural theory, Post-Marxism versus Cultural Studies argues that the very thing that is fundamental to both of these 'politicised' approaches -- the quest to establish a theory of intervention, and to relate this to a practice -- actually remains frustrated and unrealised as a direct result of the way this has been approached. Because of this stalemate, Post-Marxism versus Cultural Studies proposes a new theory of pragmatic intervention -- one that is derived from Derridean deconstruction, post-Marxism and Cultural Studies, and which will be of importance and value for politicised academics and intellectuals working in all areas of political and Cultural Studies. Key Features * An innovative take on the disciplines of Cultural Studies and Post-Marxism with a clear account of what Cultural Studies and post-Marxism are and why they are important * Offers explanations, accounts and critiques of key figures of Cultural Studies and post-Marxism, such as Butler, Derrida, Hall, Laclau, Mowitt, Rorty and Zizek * Draws out the similarities and clarifies the significance of the differences between the approaches and develops a new perspective on the theory and practice of intervention * Shows how, by seeing the links and differences between the approaches, both post-Marxism and cultural studies can be reorientated in order to have positive results in the political world
! this book will be indispensable in the ongoing and endless work of deciding what cultural studies and its intervention can be. -- Dave Huddart, Chinese Unievrsity of Hong Kong Borderlands e-journal In the first sustained scholarly assessment of the scandal of post-Marxism Bowman traces the struggle -- both intellectual and political -- of academic Marxism to keep its footing on the long march through the institution. As the "versus" that hinges his title suggests, neither post-Marxism nor Cultural Studies remain unscathed by Bowman's staging of this face off. Post-Marxism versus Cultural Studies rewards the serious reader concerned to come to terms with the discursive politics of the contemporary university. -- John Mowitt, Professor of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature, University of Minnesota This is an exciting field which is beginning to open up a sustained "thinking about" politics from a post-structuralist perspective ! This is an ambitious book which will make a significant impact in its field. -- Martin McQuillan, Professor of Cultural Theory and Analysis, University of Leeds This book offers a much-needed contribution to a delayed debate on the orientation of both disciplines. Its discussion of the relation between academic work and the institutional political terrain will attract specialised readers in particular. -- Hakki Tas, Yale University Political Studies Review ! this book will be indispensable in the ongoing and endless work of deciding what cultural studies and its intervention can be. In the first sustained scholarly assessment of the scandal of post-Marxism Bowman traces the struggle -- both intellectual and political -- of academic Marxism to keep its footing on the long march through the institution. As the "versus" that hinges his title suggests, neither post-Marxism nor Cultural Studies remain unscathed by Bowman's staging of this face off. Post-Marxism versus Cultural Studies rewards the serious reader concerned to come to terms with the discursive politics of the contemporary university. This is an exciting field which is beginning to open up a sustained "thinking about" politics from a post-structuralist perspective ! This is an ambitious book which will make a significant impact in its field. This book offers a much-needed contribution to a delayed debate on the orientation of both disciplines. Its discussion of the relation between academic work and the institutional political terrain will attract specialised readers in particular.
ISBN: 9780748617623
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 534g
248 pages