New Critical Theory in the Context of Politics: The Problematics of Subject and Power

The conradictional structure of social life had taken the emergence of critical theory to the beginning of written history. Humanity had continuously critically looked at its environment. In this context, systematical point of view has created traditions. The aim of this study is to analyze critical theory which has systematical point of view and new critical theory from which was formed by critical theory. New critical theory was born in the 1960s, was a thought system and there was a break in continuity relationship with classical critical theory. This point of view which is based on postmodern philosophy and it carries the traces of classical critical theory, but it exceeded that. This study which has studied new critical theory in terms of subject and power has identified a break in continuity between classical critical theory and new one. When classical theory emphasizes classes in the subject of subject and it stressed working class as privileged subject new critical theory puts subject positions instead of subject and it replaces identities as plural subjects. In addition, when classical critical theory defends assumption of power new critical theory is detachment position about power phenomenon. Politically, when classical critical theory targets socialism as political Project new critical theory searches reform in liberal democracy. As class roots, when classical critical theory is working class’ thought form new critical theory becomes petite bourgeoisie’s thought one. Therefore, the political project of working class is rejected by new critical theory. The scope of this study is new critical theory born after the 1960s. The hypothesis of this study is that politically, there is a break in continuity relationship between new critical theory and classical critical theory.