Capitalism and the Death Drive

Growth, as we know it today, is a destructive force that is disrupting the social organism. Capitalism has passed this point and its destructive forces cause ecological, social, and mental collapse. The destructive compulsion to perform combines self-affirmation and self-destruction, leading to an emotional coldness and indifference towards others and oneself. The death drive is central to Freud's thought and is impossible to think about capitalism without considering it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 28 May 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

The term "growth" that we commonly use today is nothing short of a malignant expansion, a cancerous proliferation that is causing significant disruption within the social organism. These tumors exhibit an unstoppable ability to metastasize and expand, driven by an enigmatic and lethal vitality. At a certain point, this growth ceases to be productive and instead becomes destructive. Capitalism has long since surpassed this critical juncture. Its destructive forces not only result in ecological and social calamities but also lead to mental collapse. The insatiable compulsion to perform, driven by a desire for self-affirmation and self-destruction, ultimately leads to our optimization towards death.

Brutal competition, a hallmark of capitalism, culminates in utter destruction. It fosters an emotional coldness and indifference towards others, as well as towards one's own self. The devastating consequences of capitalism suggest that a death drive is at work. While Freud initially introduced the concept of the death drive with hesitancy, he later acknowledged that he could not think beyond it as the idea of the death drive became increasingly central to his thought. Today, it is impossible to contemplate capitalism without considering the profound influence of the death drive.

In conclusion, the growth we experience today is not merely a natural progression but rather a malignant tumor that is disrupting the very fabric of society. Capitalism, driven by its insatiable pursuit of profit and power, has reached a point where it is no longer sustainable. The death drive that underpins capitalism is a force that cannot be ignored, and it is essential to confront its destructive consequences head-on. Only by reimagining our economic and social systems can we hope to create a more humane and sustainable world for all.

Weight: 210g
Dimension: 140 x 210 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509545001