The theory of capitalism and its ontological foundations: comparative study of Marx and Deleuze&Guattari

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2006
Kocagül, Volkan
The main objective of this thesis is to examine the theory of capitalism and its ontological foundations through the major works of Marx and Deleuze&Guattari. In his monumental book called Capital, Karl Marx develops an account of capitalism based on his understanding of philosophy of which takes its roots from Hegel and Feuerbach. Additionally, English political economy and French socialism serve as reliable grounds for Marx’s analysis. In light of the writings of these historical precursors, Marx constitutes a profound critique of capitalist mode of production. On the other hand, Deleuze and Guattari, as the representatives of contemporary French philosophy, develop a different account of capitalism in their influential book called Anti-Oedipus. By relying upon Nietzsche, in Anti-Oedipus, Deleuze and Guattari examine capitalism in a non-dialectical manner. Despite the fact that they reject the major aspects of Marxian mode of thinking, they concentrate on the similar questions shared by Marx. The question of capitalism and its conception as an immanent system which reproduces itself by means of capital appears as the common problem that directs them to think analogously. In this respect, this thesis is an attempt to discover the points of ruptures and the points of continuities in two different account of capitalism.

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Citation Formats
V. Kocagül, “The theory of capitalism and its ontological foundations: comparative study of Marx and Deleuze&Guattari,” M.A. - Master of Arts, Middle East Technical University, 2006.