Abstract
Karl Marx posed the question about the singularity of symbolic domination in capitalist societies. He realized that capitalism, in contrast to complex societies in the past, does not need a special group of persons to legitimize the existing social order, such as the mandarins in imperial China. At least in its most important dimension, the existing order of capitalism is legitimized through a ‘spontaneous ideology’ which is generated in an opaque and subtle way. The opaque nature of this domination may be the defining characteristic of capitalism. It is certainly responsible for its exceptional efficacy and longevity.
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© 2011 Jessé Souza
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Souza, J. (2011). Are the Brazilian Lower Classes Universal? Towards a Critical Theory of Modernization. In: Rehbein, B. (eds) Globalization and Inequality in Emerging Societies. Frontiers of Globalization Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230354531_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230354531_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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