Sawhney, Deepak Narang (1996) Axiomatics : the apparatus of capitalism. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The thesis critically appropriates the collaborative philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and
Félix Guattari to argue that the general tendency of capitalism is towards the
disintegration of high-level control structures (for instance, the nation-state). This
disintegration does not entail a movement towards total chaos or anarchy. I argue that
capital generates its own guidance mechanisms, but ones that act at a low-level, and
respond flexibly to changing conditions (an instance of micro-politics). One of the
difficulties of this project stems from the fact that the canon of philosophical discourse
itself operates as a high-level control structure. In Marx, the development of capital
is controlled by a secularized Hegelian dialectic that determines the outcome of capital
in socialism. For Freud, the low level organization of the unconscious is subjected to
high-level control through the universality of the Oedipus complex. By addressing the
need for new philosophical instruments to understand capitalism, the thesis produces
critiques of Marx and Freud, and advances a philosophy of economics by examining
the function of axiomatics. Moreover, in critiquing presupposed structures (for
example, the unconscious as a theatre of representation), the thesis argues for an
immanent system (mulliplicity) of interaction within capitalism.
The research undertaken to complete the thesis has consisted
of contemporary experiments in complexity theory, and current socio/economic
analyses of labour markets. Of particular interest has been the current deindustrialization
that has taken place in the west coast of the United States. With the
influx of a periphery into the core area of Los Angeles, the current role of urban
politics and minor literatures (most notably Shakur's autobiography) unleash desire
into the circuit of the city. I conclude with a re-examination of micro
political/economic movements that have manifested themselves into the economy of
Los Angeles. By decoding locally impoverished economic and cultural sectors,
emergent properties have sprouted by realigning subversive activity onto the apex of
capital (an immanence to capitalist processes).

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Deleuze, Gilles, 1925-1995 -- Criticism and interpretation, Guattari, Félix, 1930-1992 -- Criticism and interpretation, Capitalism -- Philosophy, Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Economic conditions
Official Date:	May 1996
Dates:	Date Event May 1996 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Philosophy
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Land, Nick, 1962-
Extent:	xviii, 202 leaves
Language:	eng

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