Capitalism’s New Clothes

Enterprise, Ethics and Enjoyment in Times of Crisis

Colin Cremin

From broadsheet newspapers to television shows and Hollywood films, capitalism is increasingly recognised as a system detrimental to human existence. Colin Cremin investigates why, despite this de-robing, capitalism remains a powerful and seductive force.

Using materialist, psychoanalytic and linguistic approaches, Cremin shows how capitalism, anxiety and desire enter into a mutually supporting relationship. He identifies three ways in which we are tied in to capitalism – through a social imperative for enterprise and competition; through enjoyment and consumption; and through the depoliticisation of ethical debate by government and business.

Contents

·      Acknowledgements

1.  Introduction

2.  Naked Economy

·      The Stupid ID

·      The Postmodern Spirit

·      Immaterial Capitalism

·      End-Capitalism

·      Conclusion

3.  Naked Enterprise

·      Enterprise

·      Ethics

·      Enjoyment

·      Conclusion

About the Author

Colin Cremin lectures in sociology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, teaching social theory and visual culture. He has written in the areas of cultural sociology, critical management studies, postmodern theory, ideology and subjectivity. He is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Zizek Studies.