From Yugoslav Praxis to Global Pathos: Anti-Hegemonic Post-post-Marxist Essays

by William L. McBride Purdue University

Overview

McBride offers a significant critical intervention into what is now recognized as a largely post-Marxian, at times liberal and at times conservative, spirit of the day, an intervention marked by writing against the post-Marxist hegemonic mainstream. Just as the Yugoslav philosophers did in their heyday ( from the Korcula Summer School to the gatherings at Dubrovnik's Inter-University Center), so too does McBride accentuate praxis as well as theoretical reflection on the present age. This marks his work with the pathos of a living philosophy. Like his previous volume, Philosophical Reflections on the Changes in Eastern Europe (Rowman & Littlefield, 1999), this book undertakes a most important goal, namely, to offer an informed critical assessment of Central and Southern Europe. But unlike its predecessor, this book is distinguished by situating various discussions of globalizations and neonationalist wars against the backdrop of the history, development, and demise of Praxis Philosophy — the one-time bridge betweeen the progressive forces of former Yugoslavia and various East-West initiatives (e.g. the founding of the journal, Praxis International, which was changed to Constellations in the wake of civil war in Yugoslavia).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742512252
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/27/2001
Series:	New Critical Theory
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

William L. McBride is Arthur G. Hansen Distingished Professor of Philosophy at Purdue University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 The Practical Relevance of Practical Philosophy: Philosophers' Impact on History Chapter 3 Ideals and Reality Revisited: Praxis and Nationalism in Erstwhile Yugoslavia: A Tribute to Gajo Petrovic Chapter 4 Markovic's Language and the Spirit of Community Chapter 5 Global Injustices Chapter 6 Capitalism and Socialism as Ideals and the New World Order: An American Perspective Chapter 7 The Marxian Vision of a (Better) Possible Future: End of a Grand Illusion? Chapter 8 The Pathos of European Political Philosophy after Marxism Chapter 9 Rethinking Democracy in Light of the East European Experience Chapter 10 The Philosophy of Marx in the Wake of 1989: A New Appraisal Chapter 11 Rights in the Context of 'One World': From Wendell Willkie to the Present Chapter 12 Clarifying 'Civil Society' and Creating Space for Civil Societies: From the Struggle against Nation-State Despotisms to the Critique of Despotic Transnationalisms Chapter 13 Coca-Cola Culture and Other Cultures: Against Hegemony Chapter 14 Consumerist Cultural Hegemony within a Cosmopolitan Order - Why Not? Chapter 15 What Values Remain? Chapter 16 Habermas and the Marxian Tradition Chapter 17 The Globalization of Philosophy Chapter 18 Appendix: Review Essay

Editorial Reviews

This important book should be read by everybody interested in critical philosophical and social-scientific examination of globalization and its hegemonic political, economic, ideological and cultural tendencies.

Svetozar Stojanovic

Drawing on the best of Hegel, the Marxian legacy, Sartre, and American Pragmatism as well as on his own rich experience in Western and Eastern Europe, William McBride has written a splendid and challenging volume. He skillfully assesses slogans such as 'post-Marxism,' 'human rights,' 'civil society,' 'the clash of civilizations,' and 'globalization;' excoriates U.S. consumerism, NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, and Northern hegemony over the South; identifies serious flaws in the political philosophies of Habermas, Rawls, and Rorty; and adumbrates an appealing alternative that is democratic, pluralistic, cosmopolitan, and hopeful.

David A. Crocker

Masterful, coherent and insightful collection.

William Alejandro Martin