Luhmann and Marx

social theory and social freedom

Chris Thornhill

pp. 263-283

in: Anders la Cour, Andreas Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos (eds), Luhmann observed, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013

Abstract

To the extent that Luhmann's theory of society reflects a preference for a particular model of political organization, it is clear that he was hostile to Marxist principles, and even (or perhaps most expressly) to Social Democratic political theories. In its political dimensions, specifically, Luhmann's theory contains a deep rejection of the residual totalism that pervades Marx's political reflection and some of its Social Democratic derivates.

Cited authors

Marx Karl

Luhmann Niklas