Post-structuralism and Marxism: education as knowledge capitalism

Peters, M.A. (2003) Post-structuralism and Marxism: education as knowledge capitalism. Journal of Education Policy, 18(2), pp. 115-130. (doi: 10.1080/0268093022000043100)

Abstract

This paper argues for 'post-structural Marxisms' as the pedagogical practice of reading and rereading Marx in a critical manner. It is less concerned to give an account of social class or of the changing historical relevance of this concept in relation to education than to argue for the continued relevance of Marx and Marxism, especially in relation to what shall be called 'knowledge capitalism'. First, the paper briefly discusses the concept of the social in the post-modern condition before reviewing the relations between post-structuralism and Marxism, and giving responses to the crisis of Marxism. Post-structuralism, it is argued, is neither anti-structuralist nor anti-Marxist. Secondly, the paper provides an account of Deleuze's Marxism (libidinal materialism), using it to analyse education as a form of 'knowledge capitalism'.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Peters, Prof Michael
• Authors: Peters, M.A.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HX Socialism. Communism. Anarchism; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Journal of Education Policy
• ISSN: 1464-5106