Link: Alphonse van Worden.
There is of course a major paradox here. The market was supposed to be an arena of choice, and ‘commercial society’ the perfection of freedom. Yet this conception of the market seems to rule out human freedom. It has tended to be associated with a theory of history in which modern capitalism is the outcome of an almost natural and inevitable process, following certain universal, transhistorical and immutable laws. The operation of these laws can, at least temporarily, be thwarted, but not without great cost. It’s end product, the ‘free’ market, is an impersonal mechanism that can to some extent be controlled and regulated, but that cannot finally be thwarted without all the dangers - and the futility - entailed by any attempt to violate the laws of nature.
This passage from Ellen Meiksins Wood comes from Alphonse's enchanting account of the inspiriting of money.
Is there a permanent link for that there post, Jodi, by any chance?
Posted by: Name | July 17, 2005 at 10:52 AM