This book examines the heritage of critical theory from the Hungarian Marxist philosopher Georg Lukacs through the early Frankfurt School up to current issues of authoritarian politics and democratisation. Interweaving discussion of art and literature, utopian thought, and the dialectics of high art and mass culture, it offers unique perspectives on an interconnected group of left-wing intellectuals who sought to understand and resist their society's systemic impoverishment of thought and experience. Starting from Lukacs's reflections on art, utopia, and historical action, it progresses to the Frankfurt School philosopher Theodor W. Adorno's analyses of music, media, avant-garde and kitsch. It concludes with discussions of erotic utopia, authoritarianism, postsocialism, and organised deceit in show trials topics in which the legacy of Lukacs and Frankfurt School critical theory continues to be relevant today.
- ISBN10 1399502417
- ISBN13 9781399502412
- Publish Date 31 October 2022
- Publish Status Forthcoming
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Edinburgh University Press
- Edition 100,079 ed.
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 280
- Language English