Samo Tomšič

Edited by Samo Tomšič and Andreja Zevnik, it is pretty obvious that this book is a product of the Slovenian school that, under the leadership and influence of Slavoj Žižek, has revolutionized Lacan studies during the past couple of decades. I have also previously read Tomšič's [b:The Capitalist Unconscious: Marx and Lacan|25355620|The Capitalist Unconscious Marx and Lacan|Samo Tomšič|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1444689782s/25355620.jpg|45097599], and was suitably impressed.

With this collection, I was once again impressed. All the big names from the Slovenian school are represented here, and they do not fail to deliver. Indeed, Mladen Dolar's essay - which convincingly argues that Lacan's theory is already post- or anti-Oedipal - and Alenka Zupančič's article on politics and sexuality were the obvious highlights from this book.

It is always difficult, with so many different authors, but maintain a level of quality and consistency in a large collection such as this, but Tomšič and Zevnik have gathered here a wonderful and insightful sets of essays that shows off the very best from the current crop of Lacan scholars.… (altro)

The Capitalist Unconscious by Samo Tomsic fills a gap in English scholarship on Lacan's use of Marx in formulating his own ideas. Many of the ideas presented are not so much new as that they are brought together in a less common manner.

For readers of Marx and/or Lacan this work will largely serve to juxtapose their thought, as well as Freud's, primarily through the lens of Lacan's teaching and theorizing. While action or practice is certainly where actual change takes place, without theory there is no practice, so lamenting a lack of "clinical" application is what is actually pointless for theory must come first.

To some extent, this book continues the discussion which Tomsic himself mentions in an earlier essay: The indebtedness of Lacan’s theory to Marx’s critique reveals that the psychoanalytic engagement with social reality, too, necessarily amounts to a structural theory of crisis. (in "Psychoanalysis, Capitalism and Critique of Political Economy") It is the structuralist nature of both discourses which bring them into sync.

I would recommend this to those interested in Marx, Lacan or any form of critique of capitalism. Like any good work of scholarship there are as many questions raised as answered and there are many directions in which to take the critique.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (altro)