The politics of historical vision

Description

This work offers a detailed comparison of the historical visions of both Foucault and Habermas, using Marx as a modernist contrast. The book clearly illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of each thinker's theory for the productive analysis of history and society, relating the work of each to current debates over modern and postmodern theory. While Steven Best engages these debates throughout the book, he challenges the claim that there are sharp lines of difference between the modern and the postmodern. Instead, he argues that the differences between Foucault and Habermas, both in relation to each other and to Marx, are best understood as competing responses within modern theory itself - responses that attempt to articulate Hegelian and Nietzschean visions of history. Avoiding partisan defenses of one theorist over another, Best shows that the problems of each are illuminated through the perspectives of the others.

First Sentence

Karl Marx lived and wrote during what he understood to be the most momentous social transformation in the history of humanity - the emergence of capitalist modernity.

Description

This work offers a detailed comparison of the historical visions of both Foucault and Habermas, using Marx as a modernist contrast. The book clearly illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of each thinker's theory for the productive analysis of history and society, relating the work of each to current debates over modern and postmodern theory. While Steven Best engages these debates throughout the book, he challenges the claim that there are sharp lines of difference between the modern and the postmodern. Instead, he argues that the differences between Foucault and Habermas, both in relation to each other and to Marx, are best understood as competing responses within modern theory itself - responses that attempt to articulate Hegelian and Nietzschean visions of history. Avoiding partisan defenses of one theorist over another, Best shows that the problems of each are illuminated through the perspectives of the others.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Critical perspectives

Other Editions

• The politics of historical vision: Marx, Foucault, HabermasGuilford Press1995-01-01
• Politics of Historical VisionTaylor & Francis Group1995-01-01
• Politics of Historical VisionGuilford Publications1995-01-01
• The Politics of Historical VisionPaperbackThe Guilford Press1996-10-01