Ironies of postmodernism: fate of Baudrillard's fatalism

Abstract

Baudrillard's work has been presented as the essential postmodernist contribution to social theory. Yet doubts have been expressed as to the accuracy and the meaning of this claim. Here a number of leading presentations are reviewed against the claims and denials found in the work of Baudrillard himself: his opposition to postmodernism and his refusal to be labelled postmodernist. The ironies of this position are discussed with respect to Marxist and feminist readings in light of the possibility that it may be these appropriations themselves which are postmodern. Baudrillard ‘was perhaps the first to organize a postmodern social theory’. (Kellner 1988: 242) Baudrillard speaks from the dark side of postmodernity. A. Kroker 1988: 171 So far Baudrillard has resisted spelling out a theory of postmodernity. Kellner 1989: 121 I have nothing to do with postmodernism. Baudrillard