Abstract
The often-asserted relation of formal adequacy or elective affinity between capitalism and democracy is historically contingent on both sides of the relation. First, it holds for what Weber called “formally rational capitalism” – which is the form that Marx had previously investigated in Das Kapital – rather than others, such as traditional commercial capitalism or politically oriented capitalism. Second, it holds only to the extent that “the comprehensive contradiction” identified by Marx at the heart of the democratic constitution can be resolved: the contradiction between a universal franchise that potentially gives subaltern classes control over legislative and executive powers and a constitution that protects property rights favourable to capital. Building upon Poulantzas, it is then argued that these conditions are being undermined by the rise of new forms of political capitalism, especially finance-dominated accumulation, that are facilitated in turn by the consolidation of both neoliberalism and “authoritarian statism”. This involves the intensification of “exceptional” elements in a formally democratic shell, and the emergence of a permanent state of austerity. The article concludes with comments on the limits of finance-dominated accumulation and the austerity state.
Highlights
Wahlverwandtschaft oder umfassender Widerspruch? Überlegungen zu Kapitalismus und Demokratie in Zeiten von Austeritätsregimen und finanzgetriebener Akkumulation
Building upon Poulantzas, it is argued that these conditions are being undermined by the rise of new forms of political capitalism, especially finance-dominated accumulation, that are facilitated in turn by the consolidation of both neoliberalism and “authoritarian statism”
Drawing on the work of Marx, Gramsci, and especially Poulantzas, I have argued that the relation of formal adequacy between capitalism and democracy is limited to what Weber calls “rational capitalism” and depends on the temporary, provisional resolution of the “comprehensive contradiction” at the heart of the democratic constitution
Summary
Überlegungen zu Kapitalismus und Demokratie in Zeiten von Austeritätsregimen und finanzgetriebener Akkumulation. Zum einen unterscheidet sie sich je nach Form des Kapitalismus: Auf das, was Weber unter „rationalem Kapitalismus“ versteht (was dem von Marx im Kapital untersuchten entspricht), trifft sie eher zu als auf „politischen“ oder „traditionellen Handelskapitalismus“. Réflexions sur le rapport entre capitalisme et démocratie à l’ère des régimes d’austérité et de l’accumulation d’origine financière. D’autre part, cette relation ne se vérifie que dans la mesure où la « contradiction fondamentale » que Marx identifiait au cœur du gouvernement démocratique peut être résolue : la contradiction entre le suffrage universel, qui permet en principe aux classes subalternes de contrôler le pouvoir législatif et exécutif, et la protection constitutionnelle des droits de propriété favorable au capital. Cet article se conclut par des réflexions sur les limites de l’accumulation d’origine financière et des régimes d’austérité. Mots-clés régime d’austérité · étatisme autoritaire · état exceptionnel · financiarisation · démocratie libérale · néolibéralisme · capitalisme politique
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