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left-modernity

A reimagined form of modernity that the left must reclaim, emphasizing universal emancipation, progress, and a future-oriented politics distinct from capitalist modernity.

1 chapter across 1 book

Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work (2015)Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams

Chapter 4

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.