Articles

In the work of Chantal Mouffe, society is seen as structured by a hegemonic articulation, but one that is only temporarily fixed and always under subversion. Following Mouffe, in this paper I pursue the implications of theorizing ‘the economy’ as a hegemonic formation rather than as a fixed capitalist totality. What might it mean to understand ‘the economic’ as a provisional articulation of capitalist and noncapitalist activities and relations? How might it open up the possibility of anticapitalist and noncapitalist economic interventions?

This paper has a surplus of titles. The authoritative title is “Rethinking Capitalism,” affirming a connection with Rethinking MARXISM and with the larger movement to “rethink” received concepts; indeed, to question the entire epistemic foundation that has rendered such concepts prevalent and effective. The querulous title is “Why can feminists have revolution now, while marxists have to wait”? I’m drawn to this question about feminism and revolution, even though it may be a little misleading.’The question points to the proximity of social transformation for certain feminisms-that image of gender as something always being renegotiated, that vision of social transformation taking place at the interpersonal level as well as at the level of society as a whole.