Marx's Theory of Commodity Fetishism

Abstract

<p>This thesis is an examination of Marx's use of the term fetishism in the context of an analysis of the theory of value and Marx's views on the relationship between social being and consciousness. It is argued that this contextualization is necessary in order to understand the genesis and development of Marx's use of the term. For this reason, the examination of Marx's theory of commodity fetishism in Capital is preceded by an outline of the theory of value in Chapter One and by an analysis of Marx's approach to the problem of the relationship beween being and consciousness in the years 1842-7 in Chapter Two.</p> <p>It is a argued that the theory of fetishism is not a theory of ideology. It is a description of what is represented to occur when commodities are exchanged. It is a mystification which is internal to the structure of the commodity economy. It is not a psychological theory. Confusion on this point has led certain contemporary Marxists to assert that the theory of fetishism is an explanation of how people think in capitalist society. The thesis examies the sources of this confusion in Marx's writings.</p>