Theory and Practice of Modern Criticism (About the Book “A Time for Critique”)

Theory and Practice of Modern Criticism (About the Book “A Time for Critique”)


Meshcheryakova N.N. ,

Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia; Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia, natalia.tib@mail.ru


elibrary_id: 611303 | ORCID: 0000-0001-7658-7993 |


DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2021.02.12

For citation:

Meshcheryakova N.N. Theory and Practice of Modern Criticism (About the Book “A Time for Critique”). – Polis. Political Studies. 2021. No. 2. P. 171-179. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2021.02.12



Abstract

The book “A Time for Critique” (2019. ed. B.E. Harcourt, D. Fassin. New York: Columbia University Press) deals with the current state of critical theory and its practical application in the political and public spheres. The space of criticism is narrowing. This weakness is connected with the fears critical thinkers have regarding mass movement and class struggles, with how impotent criticism is against the background of the weakening of liberal ideology and the strengthening of the right-wings in politics and public life, and with the triumph of positivism in the academic environment, which is understood as the self-worth of a fact to the detriment of its critical thinking. Nevertheless, the authors call for updating and promoting the program of critical social theory. The grounds for optimism are the emergence (under pressure from the external environment) of new forms of critical thinking and activities within the academic sphere, and the emergence of new forms of critical intervention in the form of social movements and other methods of civil society’s self-organization outside the academic schools. 

Keywords
critical theory, critical practices, social fields, positivism, pragmatism.


References

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Oganisyan Yu.S. 2020. Phenomenon of Totalitarianism: Exit to the Twenty-First Century. – Polis. Political Studies. No. 2. P. 167-177. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2020.02.12

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Content No. 2, 2021

See also:


Titov K.A.,
Pragmatism in Politics and the Prospects for the Development of Political Science. – Polis. Political Studies. 1999. No2

Sudakov S.S.,
Epistemology of political pragmatism. – Polis. Political Studies. 2010. No1

Inoguchi T.,
Political theory. – Polis. Political Studies. 2012. No3

Vafin A.M.,
Political marginality: theoretical and practical aspects. – Polis. Political Studies. 2011. No4

Beck U.,
Living in and coping with world risk society: the cosmopolitan turn. – Polis. Political Studies. 2012. No5


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