For Work / Against Work
Debates on the centrality of work

"The Republican critique of capitalism"

by White, Stuart (2011)

Abstract

Although republican political theory has undergone something of a revival in recent years, some question its contemporary relevance on the grounds that republicanism has little to say about central questions of modern economic organization. In response, this paper offers an account of core republican values and then considers how capitalism stands in relation to these values. It identifies three areas of republican concern related to: the impact of unequal wealth distribution on personal liberty; the impact of the private control of investment on popular sovereignty and pursuit of the common good; and the impact of capitalism on the level and quality of political participation. In view of these concerns, we can see some of the likely requirements of a distinctively republican, but contemporary political economy.

Key Passage

To put the point crudely, capitalism is hungry for our time and energy and need not leave people with enough for the needs of republican political participation. (p.573)

Keywords

Republicanism, Skinner, Sovereignty, Workplace Organisation, Authority, Liberty

Themes

Republicanism

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