Economic mystification parallels medieval theology and requires a grassroots Reformation.

Evidence

Of particular importance, it seems to me, is a popular demystification of economics and “the economy”. The austerity myth has only seemed credible because of a widespread economic illiteracy — an illiteracy I very much share. Economics functions now much as theology functioned in the Medieval world — as an intricate and elaborate system of concepts, objects and reasoning that is closed to non-initiates. We need something like a Reformation in/and against capitalist economics — the equivalent of the Bible being translated into English. I think this could be done, not by a series of large-scale conferences, televisions, or films — although of course these wouldn’t hurt — but virally. Small groups of people, including at least one individual who is an expert in economics, could get together and talk through some key concepts and principles, major economic events, etc. This could take place in private homes, in universities and colleges, in social clubs… In addition to everything else, this would also serve the function of reviving sociality, of re-building a class consciousness that has been dissipated by the individualising tendencies of neoliberalism and communicative capitalism. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1813

Categorization

• SEED: Fisher’s analogy of economics-as-theology with a proposed ‘translation of the Bible’ grassroots study-circle model is a strong essay frame for explaining how economic policy myths persist through expertise gatekeeping.
• XREF: Connects to the epistemic-anxiety theme — economists as a closed priesthood — paralleling treatments of colonial archival expertise and Durkheim on priestly categories. — connects to: Protestantism outflanked the Counter-Reformation by exploiting vernacular print markets — Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities: Reflections on…, 178; Protestant sects shattered kin-based bonds enabling modern economy; Medieval polemicists hoped rational argument could unify the faiths (+16 more)

Broader Connections

• Capitalism’s claimed demystification is itself an ideological ruse masking quasi-theological rule #expands (0.88) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 2077
• Gramsci frames Marxism as a Reformation uniting philosophy and politics #exemplifies (0.88)
• Gramsci’s philosophy of praxis unites Reformation and French Revolution #exemplifies (0.86) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 375
• Marxism synthesizes the Reformation plus the French Revolution into a unified theory #exemplifies (0.85)
• Print-capitalism enabled the Reformation to outspeed Rome’s communications #exemplifies (0.84) — Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities, 177
• Protestantism outflanked the Counter-Reformation by exploiting vernacular print markets #exemplifies (0.82) — Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities, 178
• Institutionalization is necessary but codified orthodoxy is to be resisted. #qualifies (0.78)
• Protestant sects shattered kin-based bonds enabling modern economy #expands (0.75)
• Calvinism’s doctrine of vocation energetically promoted economic life and wealth #exemplifies (0.74) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1401
• Moral reform requires economic reform as its concrete form #qualifies (0.73)
• Capitalism emerged ideologically through intensified spiritualization rather than secularization #complicates (0.73)
• Moral-cultural reform must be grounded in economic reform to take effect. #qualifies (0.73)
• Medieval polemicists hoped rational argument could unify the faiths #qualifies (0.72)
• Calvinism’s economic ethic is really classical republicanism, not Protestantism #complicates (0.72)
• Vernacular scripture translation predated and was independent of the Reformation #qualifies (0.72) — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 649