New Spirit of Capitalism

Sociologists Luc Boltanski and Eve Chiapello examine the changes in contemporary capitalism through an analysis of management texts, arguing that capitalism has shifted from a hierarchical Fordist work structure to a network-based form that emphasizes employee initiative and autonomy. They connect this new spirit to the children of the libertarian and romantic currents of the late 1960s and argue that it practices a more successful and subtle form of exploitation. Now a classic work, the book reflects on the reception of the book and the debates it has stimulated.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 688 pages
\n Publication date: 27 December 2017
\n Publisher: Verso Books
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In their groundbreaking work, sociologists Luc Boltanski and Eve Chiapello delve into the core transformations of contemporary capitalism. Through an extensive analysis of the latest management texts that have shaped employers' reorganization strategies, the authors unveil the contours of a novel spirit of capitalism. They argue that from the mid-1970s onwards, capitalism shifted away from the hierarchical Fordist work structure and embraced a new network-based organizational model, founded on employee initiative and autonomy in the workplace. This newfound freedom came at the expense of material and psychological security.

The authors connect this new spirit to the offspring of the libertarian and romantic currents of the late 1960s, exemplified by figures like Bill Gates and Ben and Jerry. They suggest that these individuals practice a more successful and nuanced form of exploitation. This seminal work, now considered a classic in the field of sociology, charts the sociological structure of neoliberalism. Boltanski and Chiapello demonstrate how this new spirit emerged through a remarkable recovery of the left's critique of everyday alienation, simultaneously undermining their social critique.

In this revised edition, the two authors engage in a reflection on the book's reception and the debates it has sparked. They explore the broader implications of their analysis and its relevance to understanding the dynamics of contemporary society. Through their insightful scholarship, Boltanski and Chiapello offer a profound exploration of the evolving nature of capitalism and its impact on individuals and societies.

\n Weight: 890g\n
Dimension: 234 x 161 x 49 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781786633255\n \n