Jacobin Radio Confronting Capitalism: A Return to Materialism
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Jan 15, 2025 
Vivek Chibber, a sociology professor at NYU and editor of Catalyst, argues for the revival of materialism in socialist politics. He critiques neoclassical economics' view of humans as merely rational actors, emphasizing that material interests shape broader life goals. Chibber discusses the risks faced by leftist organizers and the disconnect between working-class needs and political movements. He advocates for a materialist approach to reinvigorate the left by focusing on immediate economic challenges and fostering direct engagement with the working class.
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Materialism Defined
- Materialism's core idea: people's ideas and norms have social, not innate, foundations.
- A narrower view adds that people are significantly motivated by material interests, meaning their economic and physical well-being.
Socialism and Materialism
- Socialism aims to create a society where humans flourish by removing exploitation and domination.
- This aligns with materialism, as it recognizes that these factors harm people's objective well-being, not just their attitudes.
Rational Choice Theory Critique
- Rational choice theory, often associated with materialism, assumes people are always maximizing self-interest.
- This view is considered extreme and doesn't align with everyday experiences of other-oriented behaviors like friendship and love.