Habermas' concept of systemic colonization of lifeworld

Abstract

This paper aims at comprehending the specific nature of Habermas' critical perspective on modernization, defined through the concept of systemic colonization of the lifeworld. The comprehension should be reached through a relatively detailed analysis of the fundamental elements and insights of the theory of communicative action. The first to be analyzed should be the conceptual apparatus that Habermas develops on the basis of synthesizing Mead's symbolic interactionism and Durkheim's concept of social development. Then the paper focuses on the complex concept of lifeworld, that Habermas formulates on the grounds of this conceptual apparatus. The focus of the paper is on understanding Habermas' concept of colonization as a specific communicative-theoretic reinterpretation of the analysis of reification. In the final part, the weaknesses of Habermas' approach to the phenomenon of colonization are considered, such as neglecting the question of contemporary forms of colonization, as well as the overall defensive nature and rationalistic reductionism of his theory.