Capitalist Realism - Mark Fisher

Mark Fisher

The term next appeared in 2009 with the publication of Mark Fisher's book, Capitalist Realism. Is There No Alternative? Fisher argues that the term "capitalist realism" best describes the current global political situation. His argument is a response to, and critique of, neo-liberalism and new forms of government which apply the logic of capitalism and the market to all aspects of governance.

As a philosophical concept capitalist realism is indebted to an Althusserian conception of ideology. Fisher proposes that within a capitalist framework there is no space to conceive of alternative forms of social structures. He proposes that the 2008 financial crisis compounded this position; rather than seeking alternates to the exiting model we look for modifications within the system. The crash confirmed within the populace the necessity of capitalism rather than shake it loose from its foundations.

"Capitalist realism as I understand it cannot be confined to art or to the quasi-propagandistic way in which advertising functions. It is more like a pervasive atmosphere, conditioning not only the production of culture but also the regulation of work and education, and acting as a kind of invisible barrier constraining thought and action."

Blogger Christopher Schwartz has taken up this theme and expanded it in his photo-essay, "Capitalist realism: homo capitalus / homo financus". In contrast to socialist realism, particularly its formulation in Stalinist architecture, Schwartz notes that capitalism realism is still liberal:

"It’s a bit trickier to diagnose what’s at stake in capitalist realism. it also has a totalizing tone, but somehow liberal at the same time, in a Hobbesian sense, of outward conformity that allows for inward or out-of-sight, out-of-the-way plurality — in other words, it doesn’t matter what one does and desires 'privately' ... so long as they do their job well, i.e., grease the wheels of commerce. The untenability of this position notwithstanding, the ideology at least purports not only to not want to invade one's innerspace, but it often claims that by allowing a certain degree of freedom and idiosyncrasy, the system as a whole can become stronger. After all, the heroes of capitalist realism, unlike the heroes of socialist realism, are the rogues, the mavericks, the outliers, the individuals."