Adorno and Marcuse at the Barricades
Critical Theory, Scholar-Activism, and the Neoliberal University
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6307443 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bradley J Macdonald (0000-0003-3647-5406, Colorado State University, corresponding author), Katherine E Young (University of Hawaii System) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 528-541 |
| Publication date | 2018-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | New Political Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0739-3148 • E-ISSN: 1469-9931 |
| Publisher | Duke University Press (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1080/07393148.2018.1489092 |
| OpenAlex | W2885088009 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
When Marx proclaimed the importance of not just interpreting the world but actually changing it, he initiated an important imperative that has existed within all forms of critical theory up to today. Drawing upon the work of Theodor Adorno and Herbert Marcuse, we use their unique way of looking at the theory/praxis couplet as an avenue to rethink the role of critical theory as a form of “scholar-activism.” Theory, to paraphrase Adorno, lives on because the moment to realize it was missed; and it is because of this lack of immediate utility that theory occupies a space of resistance. Nonetheless, as Marcuse avered, theory itself may retreat into the privileged space of scholastic philosophy if it does not constantly engage activist movements that challenge the historical and social conditions of human oppression. In the first part of the essay, we will look at Adorno and Marcuse’s critical theories as well as their own political engagements to clarify the concept of critical theory as scholar-activism. In the second part of the essay, we will demonstrate the importance of this particular kind of scholar-activism in the context of (and against the logic of) the neoliberal university
Context (archaeology · Critical theory · Epistemology · Oppression · Political philosophy · Political science · Politics · Praxis · Social theory · Sociology · Critical Theory and Philosophy · Law · Philosophy · Political Economy and Marxism · Political theory and Gramsci
Working towards the Active Participation of Underrepresented Populations in Research
Introduction to dialogues section on socially engaged research and teaching in political science
Ivory tower and barricades
Utopias
Recruitment and Salary Disparity between Monolingual and Bilingual EFL Teachers in Oman
Occupation as Critique
| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,86 |
| Citation span | 2019 - 2025 (7) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |