New Books in Critical Theory

Dan-el Padilla Peralta, a professor of classics at Princeton University, delves into the complex relationship between classicism and Black life. He critiques how traditional classical studies overlook Black cultural expressions, advocating for a redefined classicism rooted in insurgence and emancipation. The discussion spans the impact of colonialism on classical narratives and highlights the work of W.E.B. Du Bois. Padilla Peralta also emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to revitalize classical scholarship and address contemporary academic challenges.

Marx’s Capital looms large today, a century and a half after first publication, a massive tome that attempts to document and map out the dynamics of a society consumed by capital accumulation. The complexity and scope, as well as its voluminous incompleteness upon his death, have left many readers perplexed, looking for a ‘royal road’ to comprehension. However, this has led to a number of misreadings, with commentators often trying to pick at what they assume is the core of the text, leaving the rest behind.Against this, Thomas Kemple in his new book Marx's Wager: Das Kapital and Classical Sociology (Palgrave MacMillan, 2022) argues that understanding Capital mean’s reading it not just for the economic equations, but the social and moral insights as well. Rather than see Marx’s quotations of literature and poetry as an embellishment to spice up the economic analysis, he sees it performing moral and analytic work as well, allowing Marx to explore the nature of capitalism at a much broader level than narrow economics will allow. Putting Marx in dialogue with his contemporaries, particularly Durkheim, Weber and Simmel, Kemple finds Marx’s work to be much more dynamic and comprehensive than many of his readers have previously realized. This little book offers close textual analysis that will enable readers to approach Marx with fresh eyes, seeing elements of their society and themselves in the text that may have previously gone unnoticed.Thomas Kemple is a professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia. He is the author of several books, including Reading Marx Writing: Melodrama, the Market and the Grundrisse, Intellectual Work and the Spirit of Capitalism: Weber’s Calling and most recently Simmel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Michael Stauch, an Associate Professor at the University of Toledo, digs into the complexities of community policing in Detroit during Mayor Coleman Young's era. He discusses how racial inequality and police brutality persisted despite reforms. Stauch highlights the rise of Black youth activism, drawing parallels to labor movements, showcasing their struggle for equality. The conversation sheds light on the impact of grassroots initiatives on policing practices and explores contemporary relevance in the context of ongoing social movements.

Ela Przybylo, an associate professor whose work highlights asexual communities in feminist discourse, dives into their groundbreaking book. They challenge traditional narratives of menstruation tied strictly to womanhood, advocating for a more inclusive understanding that respects diverse experiences. Przybylo explores the intersection of menstruation with disability and ableism, emphasizing menstrual justice for all. They offer a critical perspective on societal norms, suggesting that menstruation should not be weaponized as a gendered concept but celebrated as a shared human experience.

Sabrina L. Hom, an associate professor of philosophy at Georgia College, dives into the intricate world of mixed race identity. She discusses how dominant narratives shape perceptions and the importance of acknowledging mixed race experiences to disrupt these views. Hom critiques societal structures and explores the intersection of kinship, race, and privilege, advocating for a broader understanding of identity that includes diverse social experiences. Her insights challenge listeners to rethink conventional notions of belonging and the impacts of colonial legacies on contemporary identity.

Dayna Bowen Matthew, Dean of the George Washington University Law School and author of "Just Health," discusses the intertwining crises of racism and public health in America. She shares a poignant personal story about her father's struggle with poverty and prejudice, illustrating systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups. The conversation challenges the myth of the American Dream, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms to combat structural inequalities. Matthew advocates for community engagement and comprehensive solutions to create a more equitable healthcare system.

Triauna Carey, a scholar in rhetoric and ethnomusicology, dives into the powerful intersection of music and resistance in her new book. She discusses how songs like Childish Gambino's "This is America" and Lizzo's body positivity anthem serve as rhetorical tools for social change. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of rhetoric in the digital age and the impact of technology on artistic expression. Carey also examines the complexities of country music's rise amid cancel culture and the nuances of misogyny in rap, emphasizing music's role in cultural discourse.

Renay Richardson, an author and podcaster dedicated to making history accessible, teams up with Arisa Loomba, a PhD candidate focusing on migration and imperial history. They discuss the unexpected legacies of slavery in everyday items like gym treadmills and denim jeans. The conversation dives into how influential figures in science relied on exploitive systems while highlighting biases in modern maternal health. Tying it all together, they expose the connections between prominent football clubs and the transatlantic slave trade, urging listeners to rethink history's hidden narratives.

Elizabeth Popp Berman, a scholar from the University of Michigan, discusses her book exploring how economic reasoning reshaped U.S. public policy. She highlights the shift from equality to efficiency from the 1960s to the 1980s, detailing its impact on healthcare, antitrust, and environmental policy. Berman links this shift to military influences and critiques the limitations of cost-benefit analyses in shaping social programs. With rising progressive movements, she offers insights into navigating policy debates for more ambitious change.

Michael Patrick Lynch is a Provost Professor of the Humanities and an expert on the philosophy of truth and democracy, authoring 'On Truth in Politics.' He delves into the concept of bullshit in politics, analyzing its impacts on democracy and public discourse. Lynch discusses the dangers of misinformation and the urgent need to defend truth against authoritarianism. Highlighting how digital algorithms influence our understanding, he emphasizes the importance of awareness in combating political bullshit and engaging in meaningful dialogue.