anti-modernism
A tendency within social movements to reject modernity due to its association with capitalism, which the chapter argues is a mistaken conflation.
1 chapter across 1 book
Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work (2015)Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams
Chapter 4 of 'Inventing the Future' argues for the contemporary left to reclaim and redefine modernity as a contested and emancipatory project rather than rejecting it as synonymous with capitalism. It critiques the left's current strategic limitations, especially its retreat into localism and anti-modern sentiments, and calls for a universalist, future-oriented politics that can challenge capitalism's global expansion. The chapter also explores the philosophical stakes of modernity, emphasizing its association with progress, emancipation, and universal ideals, while critiquing both neoliberal co-optation and postmodern skepticism of grand narratives.