Description
The concept of ideology - traditionally one of Marxism's most persuasive ideas - has recently been subjected to devastating criticism. Michele Barrett shows that Marx's own writings offer a confusing array of possible approaches to 'ideology', which the classical Marxist tradition consolidated as 'mystification that serves class interests'. Barrett locates Gramsci and Althusser as key figures in the breakdown of the classical Marxist conception - Gramsci's work presaging the separation of class, politics and ideology found in Laclau and Mouffe, and Althusser's failing to deliver an adequate approach to subjectivity. Foucault - replacing Marxism's 'economics of untruth' with his own 'politics of truth' - is examined as an exemplar of post-structuralist critiques of ideology.
About the Author
Michele Barrett is a leading writer in the field of sociology and has written many successful works including Women's Oppression Today, The Politics of Diversity and Ideology: A Cultural Production. She is Professor of Modern Literary and Cultural Theory at Queen Mary & Westfield College, London.
Features
* Michele Barrett is one of the foremost feminist theorists writing today a nd her work is very well-known. * Her previous books have all sold extremely well. * This book offers Barrett's new and original theory of ideology. * It will quickly establish itself as the leading textbook in the area.
* Michele Barrett is one of the foremost feminist theorists writing today a nd her work is very well-known. * Her previous books have all sold extremely well. * This book offers Barrett's new and original theory of ideology. * It will quickly establish itself as the leading textbook in the area.
