The Political Economy of the Spectacle and Postmodern Caste

The Political Economy of the Spectacle and Postmodern Caste Synopsis

In The Political Economy of the Spectacle and Postmodern Caste, John Asimakopoulos analyzes the political economy of the society of the spectacle, a philosophical concept developed by Guy Debord and Jean Baudrillard. Using the analytical tools of social science and historical research, Asimakopoulos reveals that all societies in every epoch have been and continue to be caste systems legitimized by various ideologies. He concludes that there is no such thing as capitalism (or socialism)—only a caste system hidden behind capitalist ideology. Asimakopoulos's approach is broad, interdisciplinary, and draws on both quantitative and qualitative data to weave a narrative that is clear, well written, and offers much to both specialists and general readers.