The Capitalist Unconscious: Marx and Lacan

Description

The Capitalist Unconscious: Marx and Lacan by Samo Tomšič is an intellectual exploration that brings together the ideas of two of the most influential thinkers of modern times—Karl Marx and Jacques Lacan—drawing on their theories to explore the nature of capitalism and its psychological underpinnings. Tomšič’s work delves into the intersection between Marxist theory, which focuses on the material and social structures of capitalism, and Lacanian psychoanalysis, which investigates the unconscious forces that shape human subjectivity. The book seeks to understand how capitalism operates not only as an economic system but also as a psychological structure that impacts the unconscious mind of individuals and society as a whole. Tomšič’s central thesis is that capitalism functions as a kind of unconscious structure, one that shapes human desires, subjectivities, and identities in ways that are not immediately visible or conscious. He argues that, just as the unconscious mind in Lacanian psychoanalysis reveals hidden desires, fears, and drives that shape individual behavior, capitalism similarly operates beneath the surface of everyday life, influencing the ways in which individuals relate to labor, value, and social relations. Drawing on Lacan’s concept of the "unconscious structured like a language," Tomšič asserts that capitalism creates a structure of desire and meaning that functions in ways similar to the unconscious, shaping people's subjective experiences and behaviors even as they are unaware of it. Tomšič connects Marx’s analysis of capitalism with Lacan’s theories to argue that capitalism not only produces material inequalities but also generates psychological alienation. Marx famously described how capitalism leads to the alienation of workers from the products of their labor, from the act of labor itself, and from each other. Tomšič builds on this to suggest that capitalism also leads to a deeper form of psychic alienation, where individuals become estranged from their own desires and sense of identity. This alienation is not just economic or social; it is also psychological, as capitalism distorts people’s sense of self and their unconscious drives. By drawing on Lacan’s concept of the "mirror stage," where the child first identifies with an image of itself, Tomšič shows how capitalist ideology creates false identities and illusions of satisfaction, leading individuals to chase unattainable desires in the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. The book also explores how capitalism functions as a system of symbolic exchange that organizes social relations through commodities. In Lacanian terms, capitalism can be seen as a system that produces "objects" (commodities) that become imbued with symbolic meaning and desire, much like the objects in the unconscious that take on disproportionate significance. The commodification of goods, services, and even human relationships under capitalism serves to structure desire in ways that make people complicit in their own exploitation, without fully recognizing it. Tomšič explores how capitalist society encourages individuals to internalize these desires and anxieties, often manifesting as neuroses or unexamined compulsions that influence their choices and behaviors. In addition to its theoretical examination, the book also engages with contemporary critiques of capitalism, addressing how modern consumer culture, neoliberalism, and the proliferation of digital technologies further shape the unconscious desires of individuals. Tomšič explores how these forces contribute to an intensification of alienation and exploitation, offering a critical reading of contemporary capitalist society from both a Marxist and Lacanian perspective. Ultimately, The Capitalist Unconscious is a complex and original work that brings together the social and psychological dimensions of capitalism, using Marx and Lacan to propose a new way of understanding the systems of power, control, and desire that structure modern life. Tomšič’s work challenges readers to think about capitalism not just as an economic system but as a force that deeply shapes the unconscious mind, affecting how individuals relate to themselves, each other, and the world around them. The book offers a powerful critique of the capitalist system, showing how it operates on both the material and psychic levels, influencing behavior, identity, and social structures in ways that often go unnoticed.