Austerity theory’s denial of class precisely coincided with peak class conflict.
Evidence
However, a theory that masquerades as being above class is also a theory that fails to account for class in its theoretical framework. Th at austerity came to exist in the shadow of the Great War— a “classagnostic” economic framework deployed for a moment of unprecedented class confl ict— demonstrated the imperiousness, and deniability, of its originators. — Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order, 1570
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Revisionism makes theory palatable by suppressing whatever demands praxis, notably class struggle. — Fredric Jameson, Marxism and Form, 21; Economists depoliticized austerity by presenting class-based coercion as neutral expertise. — Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order: How Economists…, 1569; Austerity is an effective class-structure instrument, not an economic error — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism: An Intervention, 142 (+3 more)
Broader Connections
- Neoliberal denial of class categories paralyzed Obama-era tax policy debates
#exemplifies(0.90) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 335 - Austerity is an effective class-structure instrument, not an economic error
#contradicts(0.85) — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 142 - Austerity originated after World War I as a counteroffensive against working-class unrest
#expands(0.80) — Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order, 28 - Fiscal and monetary austerity jointly transfer capital accumulation costs onto working classes
#corroborates(0.80) — Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order, 774