Education and legitimation crisis: Systemic tendencies of capitalism in the work of Habermas

What is it about?

Abstract The extensive work of Habermas’s intellectual legacy is comparable to the depth and complexity of his reflections. The debates among thinkers close to the conclusions of Adorno and Horkheimer and the mature positions of Habermas are also known. However, despite the marked differences, both of them seem to share a common interpretation: that capitalism has entered a self-regenerating stage which perpetuates itself ad aeternum – the last and endless stage of late capitalism – because it has abolished all structural contradictions which could point out the system’s tendency towards a breakdown. The broad aim of this study is to contribute to a profitable dialogue between the various strands of the critical theory of society on this issue. As for the specific aim, it was intended to highlight the analyses of Habermas in relation to the systemic tendencies of capitalism, following the path taken by Marx – a little-known aspect of Habermas’s work, whose contemporaneousness distinguishes itself in times of global economic crisis. This discussion may contribute to the debate of themes associated with education, both in regard to the issues of cultural education (Bildung) and in problems related to public policies.

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Why is it important?

As for the specific aim, it was intended to highlight the analyses of Habermas in relation to the systemic tendencies of capitalism, following the path taken by Marx – a little-known aspect of Habermas’s work, whose contemporaneousness distinguishes itself in times of global economic crisis.

Perspectives