Contemporary Technology Discourse and the Legitimation of Capitalism

Bibliographic Data

ID2397868
AuthorsEran Fisher (0000-0003-1316-2108, College of Management Academic Studies, corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume13
Issue2
Pages229-252
Publication date2010-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Social Theory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-4310 • E-ISSN: 1461-7137
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1368431010362289
OpenAlexW2140860164
LanguageEN
Citations received46
References cited64

At the center of contemporary discourse on technology - or the digital discourse - is the assertion that network technology ushers in a new phase of capitalism which is more democratic, participatory, and de-alienating for individuals. Rather than viewing this discourse as a transparent description of the new realities of techno-capitalism and judging its claims as true (as the hegemonic view sees it) or false (a view expressed by few critical voices), this article offers a new framework which sees the digital discourse as signaling a historical shift in the technological legitimation of capitalism, concurrent with the emergence of the post-Fordist phase of capitalism. Technology discourse legitimated the Fordist phase of capitalism by stressing the ability of technology and technique to mitigate exploitation. It hence legitimated the interventionist welfare state, the central planning in businesses and the economy, the hierarchized corporation, and the tenured worker. In contrast, contemporary technology discourse legitimates the post-Fordist phase of capitalism by stressing the ability of technology to mitigate alienation. It hence legitimates the withdrawal of the state from markets, the dehierarchization and decentralization of businesses, and the flexibilization of production and the labor process

Alienation · Capitalism · Economics · Economy · Fordism · Legitimation · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Digital Economy and Work Transformation · Digital Education and Society · Digital Media and Philosophy · Law

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