Why PMC critique matters

There are good reasons to hesitate using the term "PMC." There are also a lot of people who need to think more about the designation of this term. The subject-matter is ideology at a level deeper than most people tend to go. The assumptions, habits, and general mode of the PMC are distinguishable from the rest of the working class. The "Professional Managerial Class" is not just a cluster of professionals and managers, but specifically an analysis of the way that class society is reproduced. It is essential for understanding capitalism today, but simultaneously serves as a critique for a lot of purported "alternatives" to capitalism. Socialism, fascism, and New Deal liberalism, are all three different flavors of managerial control correcting for certain contradictions that Marx had thought would destine it to ruin. It is hardly surprising that Marx left the PMC, its existence and role, out of his analysis; he was writing at a time when most of its current roles did not exist or were being carried out by either the capitalists or the workers themselves. But Marxists aren't the only ones who need to take the PMC critique seriously. Liberals and conservatives do as well. Revolutionary or reformist, left or right, insofar as you want to think seriously about what constitutes society, much less positive ways of changing it, PMC critique is something you will need to think through. I am being joined by my friend and colleague Elton L.K. of Working Class Intelligentsia podcast in leading a series of lectures and discussions on the topic of the PMC, its critique and consciousness. The course begins on the 25th of January, so two weeks from today. Think about enrolling today! If you want to hear more about this idea or get a sense for what the conversational part of this series will be like, then check out this conversation we did tonight: Starts next weekend! Sign up here https://theory-underground.com/courses/pmc/

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