Globalizing Critical Theory

Reviews / Votes

The collection of articles, edited and introduced by Max Pensky, is an important document of the intellectual actuality of Critical Theory today. This book explains the reason why Critical Theory today has been developed into an important philosophical and political theory which is critically reflecting on the process of globalization and supports the constitution of a structure of cosmopolitan democratic institutions, of a worldwide democratic law, and of a global public sphere. -- Matthias Lutz-Bachmann, Goethe-University, Frankfurt In this volume Max Pensky has assembled the best in the field to address the phenomenon of globalization. Beginning with Habermas's now famous text on the global anti-war movement, Globalizing Critical Theory provides a sweeping vision of globalization in its various forms. For those interested in a critical examination of the global aspects of war, the public sphere, race and memory-as well as science, technology and aesthetics-this is required reading. -- David Rasmussen, Ph.D., Boston College The 11 essays on the "global public sphere" and other related topics are timely...Summing up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. * Choice Reviews * This is a welcome and innovative book. * Perspectives on Politics * It represents an engaged and critical discussion of some various aspects of the much-discussed phenomenon of globalization, without exhausting the resourcefulness of the perspectives afforded by Critical Theory. * Philosophy in Review * The Critical Social Theory of the Frankfurt School was formulated to grasp the transition from nineteenth-century laissez-faire capitalism to early 20th century 'state-capitalism' or 'organized capitalism.' Today we are experiencing another epochal shift from Fordism to post-Fordism, from national economies to neo-liberal globalization. The powerful essays in this volume seek to come to terms with this new shift in its political and socio-cultural ramifications. A critical theory of globalization involves globalizing and transforming critical theory itself. -- Seyla Benhabib, Eugene Meyer Professor Emerita of Philosophy and Political Science, Yale University, senior research fellow, Columbia Law School