/305/ Techno-Feudal Unreason

On "techno-feudalism".

In the Bungacast Reading Club for patrons, we've been discussing various works on "neo-feudalism" - a thesis that tries to explain capitalist stagnation and inequality by arguing that we are moving beyond capitalism – toward something worse. 

In this free episode, we discuss one of the most thoroughgoing critiques of this thesis: Evgeny Morozov's "Critique of Techno-Feudal Reason". 

Why has this thesis becomes so popular today, across the political spectrum? What is the economic and political logic of feudalism, and how do current trends supposedly indicate a resurgence of these logics? Why have Marxists, who draw such a clear line between feudalism and capitalism, believe that politically-driven expropriation is replacing exploitation? 

And how do Big Tech companies make money - purely through rent, or do they produce commodities? 

To join the Reading Club, sign up for $10 at patreon.com/bungacast 

Readings: 

• Critique of Techno-Feudal Reason, Evegeny Morozov, New Left Review
• The 'New' Imperialism: Accumulation by Dispossession, David Harvey, Socialist Register (pdf)
• Escalating Plunder, Robert Brenner, New Left Review