Why a new critique of political economy? What is (or should be) such a new critique? These are twin questions for which a single (and simple) answer could be offered, encapsulated in one term: “neo-liberalism” has come… But this is where difficulties begin, because “neo-liberalism” names either a reality (perhaps a new “stage” in the history of capitalism) or a discourse (supposedly inspiring some contemporary public policies), and the articulation between them is enigmatic. How to address this issue will be the topic of Etienne Balibar’s presentation, with an additional twist: it will be combined with references to Karl Marx (the well-known father of the “old” critique of political economy, who has much to teach us on its object and method), for him but also against him (inasmuch as he created some major obstacles on the road to the “new” critique).

Etienne Balibar is Professor Emeritus of moral and political philosophy at Université de Paris X – Nanterre and Distinguished Professor of Humanities at the University of California, Irvine. He has published widely in the area of Marxist philosophy, and moral and political philosophy in general. Etienne Balibar is Visiting Professor at Columbia University for the fall semester, 2015.