Adorno developed an independent theory of class beyond Marx’s

Evidence

Yet in his subsequent lecture course from the winter semester of 1964-5, History and Freedom, Adorno does formulate an independent theory of class. When Adorno speaks of the hindrance of genuine progress by the principle of exchange, this theory goes beyond that of Marx: Bourgeoissocietycreatedtheconceptof progress,andtheconvergenceof the concept with the negation of progress originates in the principle governing society, namely the principle of exchange. — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1468

Categorization

• SEED: Could become an essay on Adorno as an original class theorist rather than a mere Marxist epigone — directly counters the ‘pessimistic cul-de-sac’ reading.
• XREF: connects to: Adorno rejected idealist reconciliation of class antagonism as evading objective social causes — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 236; Adorno retained class analysis while abandoning proletarian class-consciousness as impossible — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 679; Adorno used class to mean proletarian class-consciousness, not objective economic position. — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1050 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Class analysis is central to Adorno’s Critical Theory #expands (0.82) — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1472