Marx in Question

Abstract

To what extent have Marx’s ideas been responsible for the ongoing crisis, both of Marxism and the labour movement? Was there something in Marx’s argument that facilitated the petrification of Marxism, blocked the flourishing and eroded the effectiveness of the anti-capitalist struggles? This chapter examines how Castoriadis shifted from a critique of totalitarianism and his analysis regarding the crisis of Marxism to a critique of Marx’s own thought in an attempt to trace its metaphysical and problematic elements, which could be regarded as an obstacle to radical theory and practice. First, Castoriadis’ critique of Marx is placed in comparative perspective with the analogous critiques of Marx formulated by two other Greek philosophers — Kostas Axelos (1924–2010) and Kostas Papaioannou (1925–1981) — with whom Castoriadis had not only biographical but also theoretical affinities. The section brings together and examines Castoriadis’, Axelos’ and Papaioannou’s critique of Marx so as to outline the common basis of their critical confrontation with the Marxian theorizing and at the same time to shed light on Castoriadis’ intellectual debts and origins. The next section expands on Castoriadis’ critique of Marx and presents his argumentation. Finally, the last two sections supply an anti-critique of Castoriadis’ intellectual endeavour.