

Eugene W. Holland, "Perversions of the Market: Sadism, Masochism, and the Culture of Capitalism" (SUNY Press, 2024)
14 snips Feb 21, 2025
Eugene W. Holland, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University, dives into the dark dynamics of capitalism in his latest work. He explores how capitalism cultivates sadistic and masochistic patterns as societal norms, transforming economic interactions. Holland discusses the paradox of pleasure and pain in consumerism and probes the psychological impacts of these relationships. He analyzes literature and film to highlight the damaging effects of capitalism, urging a shift to eliminate destructive social behaviors for a better future.
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Baudelaire's Transition
- Baudelaire transitioned from masochism to narcissism during his life.
- This shift mirrored the transformation of French society from monarchy to capitalism.
Capital's Perversion of Markets
- Markets existed before capitalism, but capital perverts them.
- Capital transforms markets into systems focused on endless surplus value production.
Sadism and Masochism as Systems
- Sadism and masochism in a socio-historical context describe institutionalized behavior patterns, not individual proclivities.
- They diagnose how systems, like capitalism, function, rather than labeling individuals.