Cognitive Capitalism

We live in a time of transition, argues Yann Moulier Boutang. Butthe irony is that this is not a transition to a new type of societycalled ‘socialism’, as many on the Left had assumed;rather, it is a transition to a new type of capitalism. Socialismhas been left behind by a new revolution in our midst.‘Globalization’ effectively corresponds to theemergence, since 1975, of a third kind of capitalism. It does nothave much to do with the industrial capitalism which, at the pointof its birth (1750-1820), broke with earlier forms of mercantilecapitalism. The aim of this book is to describe and explain thecharacteristics of this third age of capitalism.Boutang coins the term ‘cognitive capitalism’ todescribe this new form of capitalism. While this notion remains aworking hypothesis, it already provides some basic orientations andanchor points which are indispensible for political action. Thepolitical economy which was born with Adam Smith no longer offersus the possibility of understanding the reality which is beingconstructed before our eyes - namely the value, wealth andcomplexity of the world economic system Ð and it also does notenable us to deal with the challenges that await humanity, whetherecological or social. This book thus seeks to put us onto the pathof a provisional politics and morality capable of dealing with thisnew Great Transformation.