Critique of Commodification: Contours of a Post-Capitalist Society

The Critique of Commodification argues that commodification entails production for profit rather than social needs, leading to harmful effects such as exclusion, marginalization, and the focus on profitable forms of production over socially beneficial alternatives. It proposes a new model for production that focuses on needs rather than profits.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Activists worldwide have raised concerns about the commercialization of water, education, healthcare, and other vital resources in recent years. Academics have expressed apprehensions about the potential unintended consequences of a society where everything can be bought and sold. However, the concept of commodification remains somewhat ambiguous, and its implications are far-reaching. In his book "The Critique of Commodification," Christoph Hermann delves into the intricacies of commodification and highlights its detrimental effects. According to Hermann, commodification involves the production of goods and services primarily for profit rather than meeting social needs. This approach, he argues, has far-reaching consequences, including the exclusion of individuals who cannot afford these goods and services, the marginalization of groups with limited purchasing power, and the prioritization of highly profitable forms of production over more socially beneficial and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

Hermann draws upon the works of Marx, Polyani, and Luxemburg to develop a materialist perspective on commodification. He emphasizes the dispossession of public resources and the alteration of goods and services when they are sold on the market for profit. By tracing the intellectual history of the term commodification, Hermann not only critiques commodification but also proposes a new model for production that prioritizes needs rather than profits.

In conclusion, the commodification of water, education, healthcare, and other essential goods has raised significant concerns among activists and academics alike. Christoph Hermann's "The Critique of Commodification" provides a comprehensive analysis of this phenomenon and offers a critical perspective on its harmful effects. By adopting a materialist approach and emphasizing the dispossession of public resources, Hermann proposes a new model for production that prioritizes needs rather than profits. This book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the commodification of society and its implications for our future.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 157 x 236 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197576762