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tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

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! #$%&’$()* !$(’)$+%,*$+- .’ #/0’)(*1 ’$ ! "#$%&’ )" *& + ,-#$.&/+0, 2$ ’$3*4&’ ,$(’).,1%,0-,$+) 2#$ HACIA UNA TEORÍA CRÍ- TICA DE LA INFORMACIÓN TOWARDS A CRITICAL THEORY OF INFORMATION Christian Fuchs %&’() &*+,*-. /+01*-20,3 45 )6789:-;. )0;<:+= >655+*- ?622* 1A. 5020 )6789:-; *D<607E FG-02,06+H5:FG2I29;H6FH6,J KL;0+6 M*9E G,,NEOO5:FG2H0F,2H29;H6FH6, 5+-+6)+1 %-+v’8 ’*4-P6 F-P,0F6. Q6-R02<4H 5)*6-’9+ ,$3*)9:8 K-6;<L,0F4. S9T*,010=6=H ;’<=*).18 &-0,0F67 ,G*4-3. Q6-R02<H !$3*)9+(,*$ 0)*6-’98 K-6;<6,0F. S9T*F,010,3H >’1&9’$: La teoría crítica de la información (TCI) constituye un intento ontológicamente dirigido al análisis de la información en el contexto de dominación, relaciones asimétricas de poder, explotación, opresión y control, empleando epistemológicamente todos los medios necesarios con objeto de contribuir en el nivel praxeológico al establecimiento de una sociedad participativa y co- operativa. Se discuten en el texto tres aspectos fundamentales de una teoría crítica de la información: la relación de inmanencia y trascendencia, la relación entre base y superestructura, y la crítica de la ideología. La forma lógica de trascendencia inmanente se basa en la dialéctica de esencia y existencia y supone un comple- mento viable a las definiciones positivistas y postmodernas de crítica. Como ejemplo de uso de la lógica de la trascendencia inmanente en la TCI, se discute una contradicción de la economía de Internet. El debate acerca de la redistribución y reconocimiento entre los teóricos críticos Nancy Fraser y Axel Honneth brinda la oportunidad de renovar la discusión de la relación de base y superestructura en la teoría social crítica. La TCI debe estar atenta a las demandas económicas, políticas y culturales necesarias en la lucha para acabar con la dominación y la opresión así como al papel unificador que la economía y la clase juegan en estas demandas y luchas. Los conceptos de información objetiva y subjetiva se basan en la visión del mundo subyacente de la reificación. La reificación pone en peligra la existencia humana. La información como proceso y relación habilita alternativas políticas y éticas con implicaciones radicales para la sociedad. ?61()+%(: Critical information theory is an endeavour that focuses ontologically on the analysis of information in the context of domination, asymmetrical power relations, exploitation, oppression, and control by employing epistemologically all theoretical and/or empirical means necessary for doing so in order to contribute at the praxeological level to the establishment of a participatory, co-operative society. Three foundational aspects of a critical theory of information are discussed in this paper: the relation of immanence and transcendence, the relation of base and superstructure, and ideology critique. The logical figure of immanent transcendence is based on the dialectic of essence and existence and poses a viable counterpart to positivistic and postmodern definitions of critique. As an example for the logic of immanent transcendence to critical information theory, a contradiction of the Internet economy is discussed. The debate on redistribution and recognition between critical theorists Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth gives the opportunity to renew the discussion of the relationship of base and superstructure in critical social theory. Critical information theory needs to be aware of economic, political, and cultural demands that it needs to make in struggles for ending domination and oppression, and of the unifying role that the economy and class play in these demands and struggles. Objective and subjective information concepts are based on the underlying worldview of reification. Reification endangers human existence. Information as process and relation enables political and ethical alternatives that have radical implications for society.
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Page 1: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

! " # $ % & ' $ ( ) * " ! $ ( ' ) $ + % , * $ + - " . ' " # / 0 ' ) ( * 1 " ' $ "

!"#$%&' ()" (*& ( +,-#$.&/+0,(2$ " ' $ 3 * 4 & ' " , $ ( ' ) . , 1 % , 0 - , $ + ) "

!

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2#$!

HACIA UNA TEORÍA CRÍ-

TICA DE LA INFORMACIÓN

TOWARDS A CRITICAL

THEORY OF INFORMATION

Christian Fuchs

%&'()!&*+,*-.!/+01*-20,3!45!)6789:-;.!)0;<:+=!>655+*-!?622*!1A.!5020!)6789:-;!*D<607E!FG-02,06+H5:FG2I29;H6FH6,J!KL;0+6!M*9E!G,,NEOO5:FG2H0F,2H29;H6FH6,!

"5+-+6)+1"%-+v'8!'*4-P6!F-P,0F6.!Q6-R02<4H!5)*6-'9+",$3*)9:8!K-6;<L,0F4.!S9T*,010=6=H!

;'<=*).18!&-0,0F67!,G*4-3.!Q6-R02<H"!!$3*)9+(,*$"0)*6-'98!K-6;<6,0F.!S9T*F,010,3H

>'1&9'$:!La teoría crítica de la información (TCI) constituye un intento ontológicamente dirigido al análisis de la información en el contexto de dominación, relaciones asimétricas de poder, explotación, opresión y control, empleando epistemológicamente todos los medios necesarios con objeto de contribuir en el nivel praxeológico al establecimiento de una sociedad participativa y co-operativa. Se discuten en el texto tres aspectos fundamentales de una teoría crítica de la información: la relación de inmanencia y trascendencia, la relación entre base y superestructura, y la crítica de la ideología.

La forma lógica de trascendencia inmanente se basa en la dialéctica de esencia y existencia y supone un comple-mento viable a las definiciones positivistas y postmodernas de crítica. Como ejemplo de uso de la lógica de la trascendencia inmanente en la TCI, se discute una contradicción de la economía de Internet.

El debate acerca de la redistribución y reconocimiento entre los teóricos críticos Nancy Fraser y Axel Honneth brinda la oportunidad de renovar la discusión de la relación de base y superestructura en la teoría social crítica. La TCI debe estar atenta a las demandas económicas, políticas y culturales necesarias en la lucha para acabar con la dominación y la opresión así como al papel unificador que la economía y la clase juegan en estas demandas y luchas. Los conceptos de información objetiva y subjetiva se basan en la visión del mundo subyacente de la reificación. La reificación pone en peligra la existencia humana. La información como proceso y relación habilita alternativas políticas y éticas con implicaciones radicales para la sociedad.

?61()+%(: Critical information theory is an endeavour that focuses ontologically on the analysis of information in the context of domination, asymmetrical power relations, exploitation, oppression, and control by employing epistemologically all theoretical and/or empirical means necessary for doing so in order to contribute at the praxeological level to the establishment of a participatory, co-operative society. Three foundational aspects of a critical theory of information are discussed in this paper: the relation of immanence and transcendence, the relation of base and superstructure, and ideology critique.

The logical figure of immanent transcendence is based on the dialectic of essence and existence and poses a viable counterpart to positivistic and postmodern definitions of critique. As an example for the logic of immanent transcendence to critical information theory, a contradiction of the Internet economy is discussed.

The debate on redistribution and recognition between critical theorists Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth gives the opportunity to renew the discussion of the relationship of base and superstructure in critical social theory. Critical information theory needs to be aware of economic, political, and cultural demands that it needs to make in struggles for ending domination and oppression, and of the unifying role that the economy and class play in these demands and struggles. Objective and subjective information concepts are based on the underlying worldview of reification. Reification endangers human existence. Information as process and relation enables political and ethical alternatives that have radical implications for society.

Page 2: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2#A!

!" #$%&'()*%#'$"

'G*!9620F!0=*6!45!,G02!F4+,-09:,04+!02!,4!-*57*F,!4+!G4U!,G*!+4,04+!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!F4:7=!9*!6NN70*=!

,4!0+54-<6,04+!2,:=0*2H!MG6,!=4*2!0,!<*6+!,4!2,:=3!0+54-<6,04+!0+!6!F-0,0F67!U63V!W2!6+!0+,-4=:F,04+.!%!U077!

2,6-,!U0,G!6!N-497*<!0+!4-=*-!,4!2G4U!UG3!*R6F,73!6!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!45!0+54-<6,04+!02!+**=*=H!

X=U0+!Y76FZ![2001\!0+!G02!944Z!IBM and the Holocaust!G62!2G4U+!,G6,!%+,*-+6,04+67!Y:20+*22!Q6FG0+*2!

[%YQ\!62202,*=!,G*!]6802!0+!,G*0-!6,,*<N,!,4!*R,0+;:02G!,G*!^*U2.!*,G+0F!<0+4-0,0*2.!F4<<:+02,2.!24F06702,2.!

;63!N*4N7*.!,G*!G6+=0F6NN*=.!6+=!4,G*-2!93!2*770+;!N:+FG!F6-=!232,*<2!,4!,G*<1H!'G*2*!232,*<2!U*-*!:2*=!

54-!+:<9*-0+;!,G*!10F,0<2.!2,4-0+;!6+=!N-4F*220+;!UG*-*!,G*3!2G4:7=!9*!9-4:;G,.!UG6,!2G4:7=!G6NN*+!,4!

,G*<.! 6+=! 54-! 4-;6+080+;! ,G*0-! ,-6+2N4-,! ,4! *R,*-<0+6,04+! F6<N2! 2:FG! 62! W:2FGU0,8.! Y*-;*+DY*72*+.!

Y:FG*+U67=.! _6FG6:.! Q6T=6+*Z.! Q6:,G6:2*+.! `61*+29-aFZ.! 4-! )6FG2*+G6:2*+H! %YQ! <6=*! 6+!

0+,*-+6,04+67! 9:20+*22! 4:,! 45! <622! Z0770+;2! 93! <6Z0+;! N-450,2! 5-4<! 2*770+;! =6,6! 2,4-6;*! 6+=! N-4F*220+;!

<6FG0+*2!,4!,G*!]6802H!'G*!N:+FG!F6-=2!F41*-*=!0+54-<6,04+!4+!UG*-*!6!10F,0<!U4:7=!9*!=*N4-,*=.!,G*!

,3N*! 45! 10F,0<! G*O2G*!U62! [^*U.! G4<42*R:67.! =*2*-,*-.! N-024+*-2! 45!U6-.! *,F\.! 6+=! G02OG*-! 2,6,:2H!&4=*!

2,6,:2!6!U62!c)4+=*-9*G6+=7:+;d! [2N*F067! ,-*6,<*+,\.!UG0FG!<*6+,!=*6,G! 0+! ,G*!;62!FG6<9*-H!Y76FZ!G62!

2G4U+!,G6,!,G*!232,*<!U62!=*701*-*=!6+=!<60+,60+*=!93!%YQ!6+=!,G6,!-*+,67!F4+,-6F,2!9*,U**+!%YQ!]*U!

e4-Z!6+=!,G*!?*-<6+!]680!2,6,*!U*-*!<6=*H!Y76FZ![2001E!9\!2632!,G6,!,G*-*!U62!6!cF4+2F04:2!0+1471*<*+,!

g=0-*F,73!6+=!,G-4:;G!0,2!2:920=06-0*2gd!45!%YQ!c0+!,G*!>474F6:2,.!62!U*77!62![h\!0+!,G*!]680!U6-!<6FG0+*!

,G6,! <:-=*-*=! <07704+2! 45! 4,G*-2! ,G-4:;G4:,! X:-4N*dH! c)470N202,0F! 6+=! =6887*=! 93! 0,2! 4U+! 2U0-70+;!

:+01*-2*!45!,*FG+0F67!N42209070,0*2.!%YQ!U62!2*75D;-0NN*=!93!6!2N*F067!6<4-67!F4-N4-6,*!<6+,-6E!05!0,!F6+!9*!

=4+*.! 0,! 2G4:7=! 9*! =4+*H!'4! ,G*! 970+=! ,*FG+4F-6,.! ,G*!<*6+2!U*-*!<4-*! 0<N4-,6+,! ,G6+! ,G*! *+=2H!'G*!

=*2,-:F,04+! 45! ,G*! ^*U02G! N*4N7*! 9*F6<*! *1*+! 7*22! 0<N4-,6+,! 9*F6:2*! ,G*! 0+10;4-6,0+;! +6,:-*! 45! %YQi2!

,*FG+0F67!6FG0*1*<*+,!U62!4+73!G*0;G,*+*=!93!,G*!56+,62,0F67!N-450,2!,4!9*!<6=*!6,!6!,0<*!UG*+!9-*6=!70+*2!

2,-*,FG*=!6F-422!,G*!U4-7=d![Y76FZ!2001E!10\H!!

%-10+;!M76=6U2Z3DY*-;*-.! ,G*+! %YQj2! 10F*! N-*20=*+,! 45! ,*FG+0F67! 2,-6,*;3.! F4<<*+,*=! 4+! Y76FZj2!

944ZE!c?*+*-6773.!34:!2*77!F4<N:,*-2.!6+=!,G*3!6-*!:2*=!0+!6!16-0*,3!45!U632H!W+=!34:!G4N*!,G*3!6-*!:20+;!

,G*! <4-*! N420,01*! U632! N422097*d2H! 'G*! *R6<N7*! 2G4U2! ,G6,! F4-N4-6,04+2! 0+! ;*+*-67.! 6+=! 0+54-<6,04+!

,*FG+474;3!F4-N4-6,04+2! 70Z*! %YQ! 0+!N6-,0F:76-.! 6-*!=-01*+!93!N-450,! 0+,*-*2,2!6+=!U077! 2:NN4-,! ,G*!U4-2,!

G4--4-2! 05! ,G*3! F6+! =-6U! *F4+4<0F! N-450,2! 5-4<! 0,H! M76=6U2Z3DY*-;*-j2! -*6F,04+! 02! 6! ,3N0F67! 4+*E!

&4-N4-6,04+2!,G6,!G61*!F4<<0,,*=!<4-67!F-0<*2!6;60+2,!G:<6+0,3!6-;:*!,G6,!,G*3!6-*!+4,!-*2N4+2097*!54-!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1!)**!6724!,G*!2F*+*!4+!%YQ!0+!,G*!507<!c'G*!&4-N4-6,04+d!93!Q6-Z!WFG96-!6+=!^*++05*-!W994,,![Y0;!K0F,:-*!Q*=06!200#.!61607697*!4+!_k_\.!G,,NEOO=*H34:,:9*HF4<OU6,FGV1lNZ4QA`YDZ^0![6FF*22*=!4+!W:;:2,!19.!200A\H!2!%+,*-10*U!0+!c'G*!&4-N4-6,04+d.!507<!93!Q6-Z!WFG96-!6+=!^*++05*-!W994,,![Y0;!K0F,:-*!Q*=06!200#.!61607697*!4+!_k_\H!

Page 3: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2#9!

UG6,! ,G*0-! F:2,4<*-2!=4!U0,G! ,G*! F4<<4=0,0*2! ,G*3! 2*77! ,4! ,G*<H!&-0,0F67! -*624+0+;! 2:FG! 62! ,G*!4+*!93!

X=U0+!Y76FZ!0+,*+=2!,4!2G4U!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!,G6,!F4-N4-6,04+2!6-*!+4,!67U632!:+Z+4U0+;!45!UG6,!02!;40+;!

4+! 6+=!=4!G61*! -*2N4+209070,3! ,G6,! ,G*3! 696+=4+! 0+!<6+3! F62*2!=:*! ,4! ,G*0-! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 0+,*-*2,2H!'G*!

*R6<N7*!6724!2G4U2!,G6,!<*=06!6+=!,G*!F4<<:+0F6,04+!0+=:2,-3!6-*!+4,! 0++4F*+,.!9:,!=**N73!*<9*==*=!

0+,4!2,-:F,:-*2!45!=4<0+6,04+H!W+=!,G02!02!*R6F,73!,G*!-*624+!UG3!6!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!45!0+54-<6,04+!02!+**=*=H!

m6-7! Q6-R! 2:<<6-08*=! ,G*! 0<N*-6,01*2! 6+=! F4+10F,04+2! 45! F4-N4-6,04+2! 0+! ,G*! 54774U0+;! U4-=2E!

cWFF:<:76,*.! 6FF:<:76,*n!'G6,! 02!Q42*2!6+=! ,G*!N-4NG*,2n! [h\!'G*-*54-*.! 261*.! 261*.! 0H*.! -*F4+1*-,! ,G*!

;-*6,*2,! N422097*! N4-,04+! 45! 2:-N7:2D167:*.! 4-! 2:-N7:2DN-4=:F,! 0+,4! F6N0,67n! WFF:<:76,04+! 54-!

6FF:<:76,04+j2! 26Z*.! N-4=:F,04+! 54-! N-4=:F,04+j2! 26Z*E! 93! ,G02! 54-<:76! F76220F67! *F4+4<3! *RN-*22*=! ,G*!

G02,4-0F67!<02204+!45!,G*!94:-;*4020*d![QX&M!o5E!652\H!'G*!6FF:<:76,04+!0<N*-6,01*!2,4N2!6,!+4,G0+;H!

p0-2,.!,G*!+4,04+!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U077!9*!=02F:22*=![2*F,04+!2\H!'G*+!,G*!N-497*<!45!0<<6+*+F*!6+=!

,-6+2F*+=*+F*!0+!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U077!9*!0+,-4=:F*=![2*F,04+!o\.!,G*!=*96,*!4+!-*=02,-09:,04+!6+=!-*F4;+0,04+!

0+! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! U077! 9*! F4+20=*-*=! [2*F,04+! #\.! 6+=! 50+6773! 24<*! F-0,0F67! -*57*F,04+2! 4+! ,G*! +4,04+! 45!

0+54-<6,04+!U077!9*!;01*+![2*F,04+!5\H!

+" ,-.%"#/"*&#%#*.0"%-1'&23"

&*-,60+73!677! 2FG476-2!U6+,! ,4!9*!6+=!F760<!,4!9*!F-0,0F67H! %,! 2**<2! ,4!<*!,G6,!F-0,0q:*! 02!4+*!45! ,G*!

<42,! 0+576,04+6-3!:2*=!,*-<2!0+!6F6=*<06H!'G02! 022:*!U62!67-*6=3!6,!,G*!G*6-,!45!,G*!N420,0102<!=*96,*! 0+!

?*-<6+!24F0474;3! 0+!1961H!p4-!m6-7!`H!K4NN*-! [1962\! ,G*!<*,G4=!45! ,G*! 24F067! 2F0*+F*2! 02!;60+0+;!6+=!

=055*-*+,06,0+;!Z+4U7*=;*!93!,*2,0+;!247:,04+2!,4!N-497*<2H!'G02!<*,G4=!U4:7=!9*!F-0,0F67!9*F6:2*!2FG476-2!

U4:7=! q:*2,04+! ,G*! U4-Z2! 45! 4,G*-2! 0+! 4-=*-! ,4! 0<N-41*! Z+4U7*=;*! 0+! ,-067! 6+=! *--4-! N-4F*22*2H! p4-!

K4NN*-! F-0,0q:*! 02! 6+! *N02,*<474;0F67! <*,G4=! ,G6,! 2G4U2! 74;0F67! F4+,-6=0F,04+2H! 'G*4=4-! MH! W=4-+4!

[1962\!6-;:*2!,G6,!F4+,-6=0F,04+2!6-*!+4,!4+73!*N02,*<474;0F67![0+!,G*!-*76,04+!45!2:9T*F,D49T*F,\.!9:,!F6+!9*!

0+G*-*+,! 0+!49T*F,2! ,G*<2*71*2!24!,G6,! ,G*3!F6++4,!9*!-*2471*=!93!6Fq:0-0+;!+*U!Z+4U7*=;*![%90=HE!551\H!

W=4-+4!2,-*22*2!,G6,!K4NN*-j2! 0=*67!45!167:*D5-**!2F0*+F*!02!2G6N*=!93!,G*!94:-;*402!F4+F*N,!45!167:*!62!

*RFG6+;*! 167:*! [%90=HE! 560\H! >*! 2632! ,G6,! N420,0102<! 02! 4+73! 4-0*+,*=! 4+! 6NN*6-6+F*.! UG*-*62! &-0,0F67!

'G*4-3! 2,-*22*2! ,G*!=055*-*+F*!9*,U**+!*22*+F*!6+=!6NN*6-6+F*! [W=4-+4!1969E!291\H!>*!N40+,2!4:,! ,G6,!

K4NN*-j2!+4,04+!45!F-0,0q:*!02!2:9T*F,01*!6+=!F4;+0,01*![1969E!o0#\H!!

)4! ,G*-*! 02! 6! 5:+=6<*+,67! =055*-*+F*!9*,U**+! *N02,*<474;0F67! F-0,0q:*! [K4NN*-\! 6+=! ,G*! F-0,0q:*!45!

24F0*,3! [W=4-+4\H! %! 6-;:*! ,G6,! 0,! 02! ,G*! 2*F4+=!:+=*-2,6+=0+;! ,G6,! 2G4:7=!9*!:2*=! 54-!=*50+0+;! 6! F-0,0F67!

,G*4-3! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! 6+=! ,G6,! ,G*-*54-*! ,G*-*! 02! 6724! 6!UG47*! 74,! 45! :+F-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;! 0+! 0+54-<6,04+!

2,:=0*2H!S+*!<0;G,!62!U*77!6-;:*!,G6,!962*=!4+!>4-ZG*0<*-![19o$O2002\!6!=02,0+F,04+!9*,U**+!,-6=0,04+67!

6+=!F-0,0F67!0+54-<6,04+!2,:=0*2O,G*4-0*2!02!+*F*226-3H!

Page 4: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

250!

K6:7!pH!r686-25*7=![19#1O200#E!169\!6-;:*=!,G6,!F-0,0F67!-*2*6-FG!0+!>4-ZG*0<*-j2!2*+2*!c2**<2!,4!9*!

=02,0+;:02G*=! 5-4<! 6=<0+02,-6,01*! -*2*6-FG! 0+! ,U4! -*2N*F,2E! 0,! =*1*74N2! 6! ,G*4-3! 45! ,G*! N-*16070+;! 24F067!

,-*+=2!45!4:-!,0<*2.!;*+*-67!,-*+=2!UG0FG!3*,!-*q:0-*!F4+20=*-6,04+!0+!6+3!F4+F-*,*!-*2*6-FG!N-497*<J!6+=!

0,!2**<2!,4! 0<N73! 0=*62!45!9620F!G:<6+!167:*2!6FF4-=0+;!,4!UG0FG!677!6F,:67!4-!=*20-*=!*55*F,2!2G4:7=!9*!

6NN-602*=dH!

W7,G4:;G! r686-25*7=! 2**2! ,G6,! F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3! 02! 6! cN*-04=! 45! 0+F-*620+;! F*+,-67086,04+! 45!

4U+*-2G0Nd! [169\! 2G6N*=! 93! ,G*! c,*FG+0q:*! 45! <6+0N:76,0+;! 76-;*! <622*2! 45! N*4N7*d! [169\! 6+=! ,G*!

=*1*74N<*+,! ,4U6-=2! 6! cN-4<4,04+67! F:7,:-*d! [1$1\.! 0,! =4*2! +4,! 2:550F*! ,4! 6-;:*! ,G6,! F-0,0F67!

F4<<:+0F6,04+2! -*2*6-FG!<*6+2! ,G6,! c,G*! ;*+*-67! -47*! 45! 4:-!<*=06! 45! F4<<:+0F6,04+! 0+! ,G*! N-*2*+,!

24F067!232,*<!2G4:7=!9*!2,:=0*=d![169\!6+=!,G6,!6!+4-<6,01*!N420,04+!02!,6Z*+.!9*F6:2*!,G02!<*6+2!,G6,!*H;H!

+4-<6,01*!-*2*6-FG!,G6,!6-;:*2!54-!,G*!N-4G090,04+!45!,-6=*!:+04+2!4-!694-,04+!4-!54-!,G*!-*0+,-4=:F,04+!45!

2761*-3!<:2,!6724!9*!2**+!62!F-0,0F67H!&-0,0F67!0+54-<6,04+!,G*4-3!,G*-*54-*!<:2,!2,:=3!+4,!T:2,!,G*!-47*!45!

0+54-<6,04+! 6+=! 0+54-<6,04+! F4+F*N,2! 0+! 24F0*,3.! 6F6=*<06.!+6,:-*.! F:7,:-*.! *,F.!9:,!G4U! 0,! 02! -*76,*=! ,4!

N-4F*22*2!45!4NN-*2204+.!*RN740,6,04+.!6+=!=4<0+6,04+.!UG0FG! 0<N70*2!6!+4-<6,01*! T:=;<*+,! 0+!2470=6-0,3!

U0,G!,G*!=4<0+6,*=!6+=!54-!,G*!694702G<*+,!45!=4<0+6,04+H!!

_67762! )<3,G*! 6+=!'-6+! 16+!_0+G! [19AoE! 11$\! 6-*! ,G*-*54-*! -0;G,! 0+! 6-;:0+;! ,G6,! 0+!=02,0+;:02G0+;!

6=<0+02,-6,01*! 5-4<! F-0,0F67! -*2*6-FG! 9*20=*2! ,G*2*! ,U4! 56F,4-2! c6! ,G0-=! 56F,4-! 02! 6724! 0+1471*=E! ,G*!

0=*474;0F67! 4-0*+,6,04+! 45! ,G*! -*2*6-FG*-cH! cY3! j6=<0+02,-6,01*j! -*2*6-FG697*! N-497*<2! U*!<*6+! G4U! ,4!

<6Z*!6+!4-;6+086,04+j2!6F,04+2!<4-*!*550F0*+,.!*H;H.!G4U!9*2,!,4!6=1*-,02*!6!9-6+=!45!,44,GN62,*.!G4U!<42,!

N-450,6973!,4!0++416,*!U4-=!N-4F*224-2!6+=!10=*4!=02N763!,*-<0+672!U0,G0+!6!F4-N4-6,04+.!*,FH!Y3!jF-0,0F67j!

-*2*6-FG697*!N-497*<2!U*!<*6+!G4U!,4!-*2G6N*!4-!0+1*+,!0+2,0,:,04+2!,4!<**,!,G*!F477*F,01*!+**=2!45!,G*!

-*7*16+,!24F067!F4<<:+0,3.!,G-4:;G!=*10F*2!2:FG!62!=0-*F,!9-46=F62,!26,*770,*2.!,*--*2,-067!9-46=F62,!2,6,04+2!

6+=! +*,U4-Z2.! 6+=! F697*! 'k.! 4-.! 6,! 6! j<0F-4j! 7*1*7.! G4U! ,4! F4+=:F,! N23FG4,G*-6N3! 6+=! G4U! ,4! 2,:=3!

-:<4-2H!Y3!j6=<0+02,-6,01*j!,4472.!U*!-*5*-!,4!6NN70F6,04+2!45!+*4N420,0102,.!9*G6104-67!,G*4-3!,4!,G*!*+=!45!

=010+0+;! *55*F,2! 4+! 0+=010=:672H! Y3! jF-0,0F67j! ,4472.! U*! -*5*-! ,4! G02,4-0F67.! <6,*-06702,! 6+673202! 45! ,G*!

F4+,-6=0F,4-3! N-4F*22! 0+! ,G*! -*67! U4-7=H! Y3! j6=<0+02,-6,01*j! 0=*474;3.! U*! <*6+! ,G*! 70+Z0+;! 45!

6=<0+02,-6,01*D,3N*!N-497*<2!6+=!,4472.!U0,G!0+,*-N-*,6,04+!45!-*2:7,2!,G6,!2:NN4-,2.!4-!=4*2!+4,!2*-04:273!

=02,:-9.!,G*!2,6,:2!q:4H!Y3!jF-0,0F67j!0=*474;3.!U*!-*5*-!,4!,G*!70+Z0+;!45!jF-0,0F67j!-*2*6-FG697*!N-497*<2!6+=!

F-0,0F67! ,4472! U0,G! 0+,*-N-*,6,04+2! ,G6,! 0+1471*! -6=0F67! FG6+;*2! 0+! ,G*! *2,69702G*=! 4-=*-c! [)<3,G*O_0+G!

19AoE! 11A\H! 'G*! 0<N4-,6+,! 2,-*22! G*-*! 02! ,G6,! F-0,0F67! F4<<:+0F6,04+! -*2*6-FG! G62! ,G*! ;467! 45! c-6=0F67!

FG6+;*2! 0+! ,G*! *2,69702G*=! 4-=*-cH! X07**+! Q**G6+! [1999E! 150\! ,*-<*=! 6=<0+02,-6,01*! F4<<:+0F6,04+!

-*2*6-FG! cF*7*9-6,4-3! -*2*6-FGc.! 6-;:0+;E! c%5! U*! 9*;0+! U0,G! 6! 2G6-*=! 167:6,04+! ,G6,! j67,G4:;G! 24<*!

N-497*<2!<63! *R02,.! F6N0,6702<! 02! 5:+=6<*+,6773! ;44=j.! 4:-! -*2*6-FG! ,G*-*93! ,6Z*2! 6! F*7*9-6,4-3! 2,6+F*!

,4U6-=!<*=06! N-4=:F,2.! 6:=0*+F*2.! 6+=! 0+2,0,:,04+2H! %5! 4:-! 2G6-*=! 167:6,04+! 2:;;*2,2! ,G6,! j=*2N0,*! 24<*!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

251!

N-4;-*22.!F6N0,6702<!02!5:+=6<*+,6773!576U*=j.!6!F-0,0F67!2,6+F*!02!6+!0+,*;-67!N6-,!45!4:-!-*2*6-FGH!W,,*<N,2!

6,!=0674;:*!6F-422!,G*2*!<:,:6773!*RF7:201*!167:6,04+2!2**<!94:+=!,4!5607cH!!

'G02! =*96,*! 2:;;*2,2! ,G6,! F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! 2G4:7=! 9*! F4+20=*-*=! 62! G610+;! 6! +4-<6,01*!

=0<*+204+!,G6,!60<2!6,!542,*-0+;!-*2*6-FG!4+!6+=!,G*4-0*2!45!0+54-<6,04+!,G6,!F6+!G*7N!6=16+F*!,G*!N:970F!

;44=H!!!

W! -*F*+,! =*96,*! 0+!W<*-0F6+! 24F0474;3!4+! F-0,0F67! 6+=!N:970F! 2F0*+F*! F6+! 0+!<3!4N0+04+!N420,01*73!

0+54-<!,G*!=02F:2204+!4+!F-0,0F67!0+54-<6,04+!,G*4-3H!!

Q0FG6*7! Y:-6U43! [20056.! 9E! 200$\! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! +*4709*-6702<! G62! -*2:7,*=! 0+! ,G*! N-016,086,04+! 45!

*1*-3,G0+;H!W2! 6! F4+2*q:*+F*.! F4+=:F,0+;! N:970F! 24F067! 2F0*+F*! ,G6,! ,6FZ7*2! -*67!U4-7=! N-497*<2!U4:7=!

9*F4<*!*1*-!<4-*!0<N4-,6+,!62!24F0*,3!U4:7=!9*F4<*!<4-*!N-*F6-04:2!6+=!-*6F,04+6-3H!%+!,G*!19$02.!,G*!

24F067!2F0*+F*2!U4:7=!G61*!76;;*=!9*G0+=!,G*!-6=0F67!FG6-6F,*-!45!24F067!<41*<*+,2!6+=!,G*-*54-*!,G*!,62Z!

U4:7=! G61*! 9**+! ,4! F-*6,*! 6! F-0,0F67! 6F6=*<0F! 2F0*+F*H! '4=63.! 24F0*,3! U4:7=! 9*!<4-*! -*6F,04+6-3.! 6+=!

24F0*,3! U4:7=! 76;! 9*G0+=! 6F6=*<06H! 'G*-*54-*! ,G*! N-0<6-3! ,62Z! 54-! 6F6=*<06! U4:7=! 9*! ,4! ,-6+254-<!

24F0*,3H!%+!,-6=0,04+67!N:970F!2F0*+F*2.!2FG476-2!U4:7=!U-0,*!0+!,G*!4N0+04+!N6;*2!45!+6,04+67!+*U2N6N*-2H!%+!

4-;6+0F!N:970F!2F0*+F*2.!2FG476-2!U4:7=!U4-Z!c0+!F742*!F4++*F,04+!U0,G!6!102097*.!,G0FZ.!6F,01*.! 74F67.!6+=!

45,*+!F4:+,*-N:970Fd![Y:-6U43!200$E!2A\H!

cK470F3!24F0474;3!02!24F0474;3!0+!,G*!2*-10F*!45!6!;467!=*50+*=!93!6!F70*+,H![hH\!K-45*2204+67!24F0474;3!

[h\! 2:NN70*2! ,-:*! 6+=! ,*2,*=! <*,G4=2.! 6FF:<:76,*=! 94=0*2! 45! Z+4U7*=;*.! 4-0*+,0+;! q:*2,04+2.! 6+=!

F4+F*N,:67! 5-6<*U4-Z2H! [h\! K-45*2204+67! 24F0474;3! F4+202,2! 50-2,! 6+=! 54-*<42,! 45!<:7,0N7*! 0+,*-2*F,0+;!

-*2*6-FG!N-4;-6<2![h\!&-0,0F67!24F0474;3!6,,*<N,2!,4!<6Z*!N-45*2204+67!24F0474;3!6U6-*!45!0,2!9062*2!6+=!

207*+F*2.! N-4<4,0+;! +*U! -*2*6-FG! N-4;-6<2! 9:07,! 4+! 67,*-+6,01*! 54:+=6,04+2H! &-0,0F67! 24F0474;3! 02! ,G*!

F4+2F0*+F*!45!N-45*2204+67! 24F0474;3.! T:2,! 62!N:970F! 24F0474;3! 02! ,G*!F4+2F0*+F*!45!N470F3! 24F0474;3H! [h\!

K:970F! 24F0474;3! 9-0+;2! 24F0474;3! 0+,4! 6! F4+1*-26,04+! U0,G! N:970F2d! ! [Y:-6U43! 200$E! o1.! o2.! oo.! 2A\H!

c&-0,0F67! 24F0474;3! 02! 6! +4-<6,01*! =0674;:*.! N-0<6-073! 6<4+;! 24F0474;02,2! 6+=! F4+1*+,04+6773! =0-*F,*=! ,4!

N-45*2204+67! 24F0474;3.! UG*-*62! N:970F! 24F0474;3! 02! =0674;:*! N-0<6-073! 9*,U**+! 24F0474;02,2! 6+=! N:970F2!

694:,!,G*!+4-<6,01*!54:+=6,04+2!45!24F0*,3d![Y:-6U43!20056E!oA0\H!

'G02! =02,0+F,04+! 02! 962*=! 4+! ,U4! q:*2,04+2E! )F0*+F*! 54-!UG6,! [0+2,-:<*+,67! Z+4U7*=;*! 4-! -*57*R01*!

Z+4U7*=;*\V!)F0*+F*!54-!UG4<![6F6=*<0F!6:=0*+F*!4-!*R,-6D6F6=*<0F!6:=0*+F*\V!Y:-6U43!962*2!,G*!50-2,!

=02,0+F,04+!4+!>4-ZG*0<*-!6+=!W=4-+4![Y:-6U43!200$E!o#\H!%+2,-:<*+,67!Z+4U7*=;*!U4:7=!9*!4-0*+,*=!

4+!<*6+2!,4!-*6FG!*+=2.!UG*-*62!-*57*R01*!Z+4U7*=;*!U4:7=!9*!F4+F*-+*=!U0,G!,G*!*+=2!45!24F0*,3H!'G02!

<*6+2!,G6,!-*57*R01*!Z+4U7*=;*!02!0+G*-*+,73!*,G0F67.!N470,0F67.!6+=!N6-,026+H!!

Page 6: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

252!

" ?%+.'9,%"?&.,'$%'" #/()+@?%+.'9,%"?&.,'$%'"

%+2,-:<*+,67!m+4U7*=;*! K-45*2204+67!)F0*+F*2E!`*2*6-FG!

F4+=:F,*=!U0,G0+!-*2*6-FG!N-4;-6<2!

,G6,!=*50+*!622:<N,04+2.!,G*4-0*2.!

F4+F*N,2.!q:*2,04+2.!6+=!N:887*2!

K470F3!)F0*+F*2E!K:970F!=*5*+F*!45!

-*2*6-FG.!G:<6+!2:9T*F,2.!5:+=0+;.!

F4+;-*2204+67!9-0*50+;2!

`*57*R01*!m+4U7*=;*! &-0,0F67!)F0*+F*2E!&-0,0F67!=*96,*2!45!

=02F0N70+*2!U0,G0+!6+=!9*,U**+!-*2*6-FG!

N-4;-6<2!

K:970F!)F0*+F*2E!&4+F*-+!54-!,G*!N:970F!

0<6;*!45!,G*!2F0*+F*2.!N-*2*+,0+;!

50+=0+;2!0+!6+!6FF*22097*!<6++*-.!

,*6FG0+;!9620F2!45!2F0*+F*.!6+=!U-0,0+;!

,*R,944Z2!

A+6-'"BE!Q0FG6*7!Y:-6U43j2!,3N474;3!45!24F067!2F0*+F*!6NN-46FG*2!!

Y:-6U43!6-;:*2E!cK:970F!24F0474;3!G62!+4!0+,-0+20F!+4-<6,01*!167*+F*2.!4,G*-!,G6+!,G*!F4<<0,<*+,!

,4!=0674;:*!6-4:+=!022:*2!-602*=!0+!6+=!93!24F0474;3H!%,!F6+!62!U*77!2:NN4-,!&G-02,06+!5:+=6<*+,6702<!62!0,!

F6+!709*-6,04+!24F0474;3!4-!F4<<:+0,6-06+02<d![Y:-6U43!200$E!o0\H!!

p4-!Q6R!>4-ZG*0<*-.!,G*!=02,0+F,04+!U62!+4,!9*,U**+!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!6+=!-*57*R01*!-*624+.!9:,!

9*,U**+! 0+2,-:<*+,67! -*624+!6+=!F-0,0F67! -*624+H!>*! ,*-<*=!6F6=*<0F! ,G0+Z0+;! ,G6,! 02!962*=!4+! ,G*! 50-2,!

,-6=0,04+67! ,G*4-3.! 6+=! 6F6=*<0F! ,G0+Z0+;! ,G6,! 02! 962*=! 4+! ,G*! 76,,*-! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! [>4-ZG*0<*-!

19o$O2002\H!>*! 6724!<6=*! F7*6-! ,G6,! ,G*! 2*F4+=! ,3N*!45! -*624+! 02!+4,! T:2,! 6+3! ,3N*!45!+4-<6,010,3! 6+=!

N6-,026+2G0N.!9:,!6!2N*F050F!Z0+=!45!0,H!p4-!>4-ZG*0<*-!0,!=4*2!+4,!2:550F*!,4!62Z!q:*2,04+2!4-!,4!6==-*22!,G*!

N:970FH!%+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!U4:7=!9*!4-0*+,*=!4+!:,070,3.!N-450,697*+*22.!6+=!N-4=:F,010,3H!&-0,0F67!-*624+!

U4:7=! 9*! N6-,026+! 6+=! U4:7=! 4N*-6,*! U0,G! ,G*!Q6-R06+! F6,*;4-0*2! 45! F7622.! *RN740,6,04+.! 2:-N7:2! 167:*.!

N-450,.!<02*-3.! 6+=! 9-*6Z=4U+H! 'G*2*! F6,*;4-0*2!U4:7=! F4+2,0,:,*! 6!UG47*! ,G6,! 02! +4,! 4-0*+,*=! 4+! c,G*!

N-*2*-16,04+!45!F4+,*<N4-6-3!24F0*,3!9:,!0+!0,2!,-6+254-<6,04+!0+,4!,G*!-0;G,!Z0+=!45!24F0*,3d![>4-ZG*0<*-!

19o$O2002E!21A\H!'G*!;467!45!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3!U4:7=!9*!,G*!,-6+254-<6,04+!45!24F0*,3!62!6!UG47*![219\!24!

,G6,!6!c24F0*,3!U0,G4:,!0+T:2,0F*d![221\!*<*-;*2!,G6,!02!2G6N*=!93!c-*624+697*+*22.!6+=!2,-010+;!54-!N*6F*.!

5-**=4<.!6+=!G6NN0+*22d! [222\.!c0+!UG0FG!<6+i2!6F,04+2!+4! 74+;*-!574U!5-4<!6!<*FG6+02<!9:,!5-4<!G02!

4U+!=*F0204+d![229\.!6+=!,G6,!02!c6!2,6,*!45!65560-2!0+!UG0FG!,G*-*!U077!9*!+4!*RN740,6,04+!4-!4NN-*2204+d![2#1\H!

>4-ZG*0<*-!6-;:*=!,G6,!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U6+,2!,4!*+G6+F*!,G*!-*67086,04+!45!677!G:<6+!N4,*+,0670,0*2![2#A\H!

%,!c+*1*-!20<N73!60<2!6,!6+!0+F-*62*!45!Z+4U7*=;*!62!2:FGH!%,2!;467!02!<6+j2!*<6+F0N6,04+!5-4<!2761*-3d![2#9\!

6+=!c,G*!G6NN0+*22!45!677!0+=010=:672d![2#A\H!!

'G*2*!q:4,6,04+2! 2G4U! ,G6,! 54-!>4-ZG*0<*-! F-0,0F67! 6+=!N:970F! 6F6=*<0F!U4-Z! 02!+4,! T:2,!+4-<6,01*.!

N6-,067.! 6+=! 6==-*220+;! ,G*! N:970F.! 0,! 02! N6-,067! 54-! ,G*! 4NN-*22*=.! =*<6+=2! ,G*0-! *<6+F0N6,04+! 5-4<!

4NN-*2204+.!6+=!4NN42*2!6+=!50;G,2!U0,G!0+,*77*F,:67!<*6+2!6;60+2,!,G42*!F7622*2!,G6,!6-*!-*2N4+2097*!54-!,G02!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

25o!

4NN-*2204+H! &-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! 02! 0+,*77*F,:67! F7622! 2,-:;;7*H! %,! 02! 6+,0DF6N0,6702,! 6+=! 4NN42*=! ,4! =4<0+6,04+H! %,!

2,-:;;7*2! 54-! 6! F76227*22.! +4+D=4<0+6,01*.! F4D4N*-6,01*.!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3H! %+2,-:<*+,67! -*624+! 02! 54-!

>4-ZG*0<*-! [19#$O19$#\! ,G*! =4<0+6+,! ,3N*! 45! -6,04+670,3.! 0+! UG0FG! -*624+! 9*F4<*2! 6+! 0+2,-:<*+,! 54-!

6=16+F0+;!*R,*-+67.!=4<0+6,01*.!670*+6,0+;!0+,*-*2,2H!%+!6+!0+2,-:<*+,67!24F0*,3.!,G*!G:<6+!9*0+;2!U4:7=!+4,!

9*! ,G*<2*71*2.! 9:,! 2*-1*! 670*+! 0+,*-*2,2H! %+! F-0,0F67! -6,04+670,3.! G:<6+2! U4:7=! 9*! 2*75D=*,*-<0+*=! 6+=! 9*!

,G*<2*71*2H!!

)F0*+F*2!,G6,!2:NN4-,!&G-02,06+!5:+=6<*+,6702<!6-*!54-!>4-ZG*0<*-!6!5672*!54-<!45!N6-,026+2G0N!6+=!6!

54-<! 45! N:970F! 2F0*+F*! ,G6,! 2:NN4-,2! 6! =4<0+6,01*! 6+=! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 24F0*,3H! %,! 02! 962*=! 4+! 0+2,-:<*+,67!

-*624+H!%,!02!,G*-*54-*!N6-,!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!N470F3!2F0*+F*!6+=!+4,!45!-*57*R01*!N:970F!2F0*+F*H!MG6,!6-*!+**=*=!

6-*! +4,! T:2,! N:970F! 2F0*+F*2.! 9:,! F-0,0F67.! Q6-R06+D0+2N0-*=.! 7*5,! U0+;.! N-4;-*2201*! N:970F! 2F0*+F*2! 0+!

>4-ZG*0<*-j2!2*+2*H!%!,G*-*54-*!6;-**!U0,G!p-6+F02!p4R!K01*+![200$\.!UG4!6-;:*2!54-!6!c=0220=*+,!6+=!F-0,0F67!

N:970F!24F0474;3dH!K:970F!2F0*+F*2!2G4:7=!+4,!4+73!2N*6Z!,4!,G*!N:970F.!9:,!,4!6!2N*F050F!N:970FH!c%!N-4N42*!62!6!

;:0=*70+*!,G6,!U*!2,-01*!,4!6==-*22!,G*!N:970F!6+=!N470,0F67!N-497*<2!45!N*4N7*!45!,G*!74U*-!*+=!45!G0*-6-FG0*2!

,G6,!=*50+*!4:-!24F0*,3H![h\!'G*0-!5*7,!N-497*<2!2G4:7=!9*F4<*!4:-!24F0474;0F67!N-497*<2H!%5!U*!=4!,G02.!,G*+!

N:970F!24F0474;3!9*F4<*2!6!=0220=*+,!6+=!F-0,0F67!24F0474;3d![p4R!K01*+!200$E!16o\H!

Y62*=! 4+! ,G*2*! 622:<N,04+2.! %! U6+,! ,4! 5:-,G*-! =*1*74N!Y:-6U43j2! ,3N474;3! 0+,4! 6!>4-ZG*0<*-06+!

=0-*F,04+H!'G*!+4,04+!45!F-0,0q:*!*<N743*=!0+!0,!02!+4,!T:2,!6!F-0,0q:*!45!=4<0+6+,!6F6=*<0F!,-6=0,04+2.!9:,!

-6,G*-!F-0,0q:*!45!=4<0+6,01*!24F0*,3!6+=!F7622!2,-:F,:-6,04+!62!2:FGH!'G*!N:970F!2F0*+F*2!*+10204+*=!G*-*!

F4+2,0,:,*!6! 2,-4+;! 54-<!45!Y:-6U43j2!N:970F! 2F0*+F*2!g!6! 2,-4+;!49T*F,010,3! ,G6,! 2G4:7=!9*2,!9*! ,*-<*=!

N:970F!F-0,0F67!2F0*+F*2!6+=!,G6,!6-*!4NN42*=!93!6+=!,4!,G*!+4UD=4<0+6+,!N:970F!:+F-0,0F67!2F0*+F*2H!%+!,G*!

N:-*73! 6F6=*<0F! U4-7=.! F-0,0F67! 2F0*+F*2! FG677*+;*! ,G*! =4<0+6+,! :+F-0,0F67.! N420,0102,0F! N-45*2204+67!

0+2,-:<*+,67!2F0*+F*2H!MG6,!Y:-6U43!=*50+*2!62!6F6=*<0F!24F06702<!2G4:7=!9*!2,-*22*=!<4-*!*RN70F0,73!62!

,G*!=*20-697*! 54-<!45! ,G*!N:970F! 2F0*+F*2.!UG*-*62! 0+2,-:<*+,67!N:970F!2F0*+F*2! ,G6,!6=16+F*!=4<0+6,01*!

0+,*-*2,2!2G4:7=!9*!2**+!62!:+=*20-697*H!cM*!<0;G,!263!,G6,!F-0,0F67!*+;6;*<*+,!U0,G!-*67!:,4N062!02!,4=63!

6+!0+,*;-67!N6-,!45!,G*!N-4T*F,!45!24F0474;0F67!24F06702<H!%,!02!6!10204+!45!6!24F06702<!,G6,!N76F*2!24F0*,3.!4-!

24F067!G:<6+0,3!6,!0,2!4-;6+080+;!F*+,*-H![h\!%5!N:970F!24F0474;3!02!,4!G61*!6!N-4;-*2201*!0<N6F,!0,!U077!G61*!

,4! G47=! 0,2*75! F4+,0+:4:273! 6FF4:+,697*! ,4! 24<*! 2:FG! 10204+! 45! =*<4F-6,0F! 24F06702<d! [Y:-6U43! 20059E!

o25\H! Y:-6U43j2! =02,0+F,04+! 9*,U**+! ,-6=0,04+67! 6+=! 4-;6+0F! N:970F! 2F0*+F*! =4*2! +4,! 6FF4:+,! 54-!

>4-ZG*0<*-j2!0+20;G,!,G6,!,G*!50-2,!,3N*!02!962*=!4+!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!6+=!02!:+=*20-697*H!

!

Page 8: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

25#!

" ?%+.'9,%"?&.,'$%'" #/()+@?%+.'9,%"?&.,'$%'"

%+2,-:<*+,67!m+4U7*=;*! K-45*2204+67!%+2,-:<*+,67!)F0*+F*2E!

`*2*6-FG!F4+=:F,*=!U0,G0+!-*2*6-FG!

N-4;-6<2!,G6,!6-*!2G6N*=!93!

=4<0+6,01*!0+,*-*2,2H!

K:970F!/+F-0,0F67!)F0*+F*2E!)F0*+F*2!,G6,!

2N*6Z!U0,G!,G*!N:970F!0+!,G*!0+,*-*2,!45!

=4<0+6,01*!0+,*-*2,2!2:FG!62!F6N0,67!

0+,*-*2,2!4-!F4+2*-16,01*!N470,0F67!

0+,*-*2,2H!

&-0,0F67!m+4U7*=;*! &-0,0F67!)F0*+F*2E!W+6732*2!F4+=:F,*=!0+!

,G*!0+,*-*2,!45!,G*!694702G<*+,!45!

=4<0+6,04+!6+=!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!

N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3H!

K:970F!&-0,0F67!)F0*+F*2E!)F0*+F*2!,G6,!

6==-*22!6+=!2N*6Z!U0,G!,G*!N:970F!0+!,G*!

0+,*-*2,!45!,G*!694702G<*+,!45!

=4<0+6,04+!6+=!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!

N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3H!

A+6-'"CE!W!,3N474;3!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!6+=!F-0,0F67!24F067!2F0*+F*2!

'G02!,3N474;3!F6+!6724!9*!6NN70*=!,4!0+54-<6,04+!2,:=0*2O,G*4-3H!

" ?%+.'9,%"?&.,'$%'" #/()+@?%+.'9,%"?&.,'$%'"

%+2,-:<*+,67!m+4U7*=;*! K-45*2204+67!%+2,-:<*+,67!%+54-<6,04+!

)F0*+F*O'G*4-3E!`*2*6-FG!4+!

0+54-<6,04+!U0,G0+!-*2*6-FG!N-4;-6<2!

,G6,!6-*!2G6N*=!93!=4<0+6,01*!0+,*-*2,2H!

K:970F!/+F-0,0F67!%+54-<6,04+!

)F0*+F*O'G*4-3E!),:=0*2!45!0+54-<6,04+!

NG*+4<*+6!,G6,!2N*6Z!U0,G!,G*!N:970F!0+!

,G*!0+,*-*2,!45!=4<0+6,01*!0+,*-*2,2!2:FG!

62!F6N0,67!0+,*-*2,2!4-!F4+2*-16,01*!

N470,0F67!0+,*-*2,2H!

&-0,0F67!m+4U7*=;*! &-0,0F67!%+54-<6,04+!)F0*+F*O'G*4-3E!

W+6732*2!45!0+54-<6,04+!0+!,G*!F4+,*R,!

45!=4<0+6,04+.!623<<*,-0F67!N4U*-!

-*76,04+2.!6+=!F4+,-47!F4+=:F,*=!0+!,G*!

0+,*-*2,!45!,G*!694702G<*+,!45!

=4<0+6,04+!6+=!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!

N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3H!

K:970F!&-0,0F67!%+54-<6,04+!

)F0*+F*O'G*4-3E!W==-*22*2!6+=!2N*6Z2!

U0,G!,G*!N:970F!4+!022:*2!,G6,!-*76,*!,4!

0+54-<6,04+!0+!,G*!F4+,*R,!45!

=4<0+6,04+!6+=!0+!,G*!0+,*-*2,!45!,G*!

694702G<*+,!45!=4<0+6,04+!6+=!,G*!

*2,69702G<*+,!45!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!

=*<4F-6F3H!

A+6-'"DE!W!,3N474;3!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!6+=!F-0,0F67!F4<<:+0F6,04+!2F0*+F*!

%5! ,G*-*! 02! +4! F4:+,*-DN:970F! 9*F6:2*! N-4,*2,! 6+=! 6F,0102<! 6-*! 0=*474;0F6773! 54-*2,677*=.! ,G*+!N:970F!

2F0*+F*2!62!N:970F!F-0,0F02<!2,077!6-*!+*F*226-3H!):FG!Z+4U7*=;*!=4*2!+4,!6+=!2G4:7=!+4,!+*F*226-073!=*N*+=!

4+!,G*!*R02,*+F*!45!6! 76-;*!+:<9*-!45!6F,0102,2!6+=!24F067!<41*<*+,!;-4:N2!g!67,G4:;G!,G02! 02!=*20-697*.!

9:,!+4,!67U632!N422097*!g.!9*F6:2*!,G02!U4:7=!207*+F*!F-0,0F67!6F6=*<06!4+F*!F0,08*+2!6-*!207*+F*=H!WF6=*<06!

Page 9: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

255!

F*-,60+73!N422*22*2!-*24:-F*2!,G6,!9*,,*-!*q:0N!2FG476-2!,4!6F,!F-0,0F6773!6+=!,G6,!9*,,*-!N-4,*F,!,G*<!5-4<!

9*0+;!207*+F*=!,G6+!4-=0+6-3!F0,08*+2H!'G*-*54-*!,G02!,*--60+!2G4:7=!<6Z*!:2*!45!0,2!N-0107*;*=!N420,04+!,4!

2,-:;;7*!6+=!,-3!,4!F-*6,*!6!F-0,0F67!N:970F!+4!<6,,*-!G4U!,G*!;*+*-67!N:970F!744Z2!70Z*H!c%,!02!N422097*!54-!,G*!

F4+2F04:2+*22!45!*1*-3!24F067!2,-6,:<!,4=63!,4!9*!70<0,*=!6+=!F4--:N,*=!93!0=*474;3.!G4U*1*-!<:FG.!54-!0,2!

F0-F:<2,6+F*2.!0,!<63!9*!9*+,!4+!,-:,GH!p4-!677!0,2!0+20;G,!0+,4!,G*!0+=010=:67!2,*N2!0+!24F067!FG6+;*!6+=!

54-!677! ,G*!6;-**<*+,!45! 0,2!*7*<*+,2!U0,G!,G*!<42,!6=16+F*=!,-6=0,04+67!,G*4-0*2.!,G*!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!G62!+4!

2N*F050F! 0+57:*+F*!4+! 0,2! 20=*.! *RF*N,! F4+F*-+! 54-! ,G*!69470,04+!45! 24F067! 0+T:2,0F*d! [>4-ZG*0<*-!19o$O2002E!

2#2\H!

Y:-6U43! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! =:*! ,4! N4U*-! F4+2,*776,04+2! 6+=! N4U*-5:7! 0+,*-*2,2! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 2F0*+F*2!

=4<0+6,*!41*-!-*57*R01*!2F0*+F*2H!'G*!2F0*+F*2!U4:7=!9*!50*7=2!45!N4U*-H!Y:,!,G02!50*7=!45!N4U*-!2G4:7=!

+4,!9*! ,G*!:7,0<6,*73! 6FF*N,*=! 2,6,*!45! ,G*! 2F0*+F*2H!S+*! 2G4:7=! 2,-:;;7*! 54-! ,G*!*+=!45! ,G*!=010204+!45!

7694:-! 24! ,G6,! 677! 2F0*+F*2! 9*F4<*! F-0,0F67! 6+=! ,G*-*54-*! +4+D0+2,-:<*+,67H! 'G*! ;467! ,G*+! 02! 6! :+050*=!

F-0,0F67!2F0*+F*H!_067*F,0F67!+*;6,04+!02!+4,!T:2,!,G*!2,-:;;7*!54-!,G*!6FZ+4U7*=;*<*+,!45!,G*!4,G*-.!9:,!6s2N!

,G*! 2,-:;;7*! 54-!+*;6,04+!45!+*;6,04+!6+=!2:976,04+!24! ,G6,!6!+*U!UG47*! ,G6,! 02! 6!=055*-*+,06,*=!:+0,3!45!

N7:-670,3!F6+!*<*-;*H!Y:-6U43!=02<022*2!2:FG!6-;:<*+,2.!2630+;!,G6,!,G*!24F067!2F0*+F*2!c20+F*!,G*0-!1*-3!

=*50+0,04+! [h\!N6-,6Z*! 0+!94,G! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 6+=! -*57*R01*! Z+4U7*=;*d! [Y:-6U43!200$E!5o\H!>4-ZG*0<*-!

6+=!W=4-+4![19##O2002\!G61*!N40+,*=!4:,!,G6,!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!02!FG6-6F,*-02,0F!54-!=4<0+6,01*.!F7622!

24F0*,0*2!9*F6:2*!<*FG6+02<2!54-!7*;0,0<080+;!6+=!Z+4U7*=;*!54-!*+54-F0+;!670*+6,04+!6+=!*RN740,6,04+!6-*!

+**=*=H! %5! ,G02! 02! ,G*! F62*.! ,G*+! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 6F6=*<0F! Z+4U7*=;*!G62! 6!G02,4-0F67! FG6-6F,*-! 6+=! 2G4:7=!

F4<*!,4!6+!*+=!4+F*!0+2,-:<*+,67!24F0*,3!F4<*2!,4!6+!*+=H!Y:-6U43!*22*+,06708*2!,G*!=010204+!45!7694:-!45!

,G*!F4+,*<N4-6-3!2F0*+F*2H!&-0,0F67!,G0+Z*-2!0+!<6+3!F62*2!6-*!=02F-0<0+6,*=!93!=4<0+6+,!0+2,0,:,04+2!6+=!

,G*-*54-*! G61*! ,4! U4--3! 694:,! 6,,60+0+;! =*;-**2.! ,*+:-*.! N-45*224-2G0N2.! -*2*6-FG! 5:+=2.! *,FH!?01*+! ,G*!

=4<0+6,04+! 45! 0+2,-:<*+,67! -*624+! 0+! ,G*! 6F6=*<0F! 232,*<.! 0,! 02! +4,! 24! *623! ,4! *2,69702G! ,G*! 2,-:F,:-67!

54:+=6,04+2!,G6,!*+697*!*+;6;0+;!F-0,0F6773!0+!,G*!N:970FH!'G*-*54-*!,G*!709*-67!=*<4F-6,0F!N7:-6702<!45!,G*!

6F6=*<0F!232,*<!,G6,!Y:-6U43!*+10204+2!02!U4-,G!2,-:;;70+;!54-!0+!,G*!50-2,!0+2,6+F*H!Y:,!4+*!2G4:7=!+4,!

2,4N!,G*-*.!9:,!6724!2,-:;;7*!54-!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!6+!6F6=*<0F!232,*<!,G6,!02!+4!74+;*-!0+2,-:<*+,67!6,!

677H! 'G*! 2,-:;;7*! 54-! 6! +4+D0+2,-:<*+,67! 6F6=*<0F! 232,*<! 02! 6,! ,G*! 26<*! ,0<*! ,G*! 2,-:;;7*! 54-! 6! +4+D

0+2,-:<*+,67!24F0*,3!6+=!10F*!1*-26H!%<<6+:*7!M677*-2,*0+![200$\!6-;:*2!,G6,!677!2F0*+F*!G62!6+!0+,*77*F,:67.!

6!<4-67.!6+=!6!N470,0F67!5:+F,04+!6+=!,G6,!677!2FG476-2!6-*!67U632!=40+;!677!,G-**!5:+F,04+2H!'G*!0=*474;3!45!

0+2,-:<*+,67! N420,0102,0F! 2F0*+F*2! 02! ,G6,! ,G*3! =*+3! ,G*! 2*F4+=! 6+=! ,G*! ,G0-=! 5:+F,04+.! UG*-*62! F-0,0F67!

2F0*+F*2! =*F4+2,-:F,! ,G02! 0=*474;3.! ,G*3! 6-*! N6-,026+! 0+! 5614:-! 45! ,G*! 4NN-*22*=H! 'G*0-! N6-,026+2G0N! 02!

6F,01*H!W77!,G-**!5:+F,04+2!c6-*!67U632!9*0+;!=4+*.!UG*,G*-!6F,01*73!4-!N62201*73H!W+=!=40+;!,G*<!6F,01*73!

G62! ,G*! 9*+*50,! 45!G4+*2,3! 6+=!N*-<0,,0+;!4N*+!=*96,*! 694:,! 2:92,6+,01*! -6,04+670,3d! [M677*-2,*0+! 200$E!

1$#\H!'G*!:7,0<6,*!;467!2G4:7=!+4,!9*!6!=010204+!45!6F6=*<0F!7694:-!U0,G!*q:67!2:950*7=2!962*=!4+!709*-67!

N7:-6702<.!9:,!:+050*=! F-0,0F67! 6F6=*<0F! 6+=!N:970F! 0+54-<6,04+!2,:=0*2!U0,G0+!6!:+050*=!F-0,0F67! 6F6=*<0F!

6+=!N:970F!2F0*+F*H!!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

256!

%5! -*57*R01*!4-! F-0,0F67! 2F0*+F*2!6-*! T:2,!:+=*-2,44=!62!6!F-0,0q:*!45!=4<0+6+,! 2F0*+F*2! ,G6,!N-410=*2!

67,*-+6,01*!4:,744Z2.!,G*+!,G02!<*6+2!,G6,!05!N-4;-*2201*!24F067!2F0*+F*2!6-*!=4<0+6+,.!4+*!2G4:7=!2:NN4-,!

F4+2*-16,01*! 6+=! -*6F,04+6-3! 6NN-46FG*2! 54-! ,G*! 26Z*!45!N7:-6702<H!Q3!6-;:<*+,! F4:+,*-! ,4! ,G6,! 02! ,G6,!

N470,0F6773!F4+2*-16,01*!6NN-46FG*2!6+=!0+2,-:<*+,67!2F0*+F*2!2G4:7=!+4,!9*!2:NN4-,*=.!9:,!*70<0+6,*=.!6+=!

,G6,!,G*!;467!02!+4,!709*-67!N7:-6702<.!9:,!,G*!41*-677!F-0,0F67!FG6-6F,*-!45!,G*!2F0*+F*2.!0H*H!2F0*+F*2!4-0*+,*=!

4+!24F0*,67!N-497*<2!6+=!,G*!6=16+F*<*+,!45!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3H!!

'G02!=02F:2204+!2G4U2!,G6,!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!G62!6!54F:2!4+!,G*!6+673202!45!NG*+4<*+6!0+!,G*!F4+,*R,!45!

=4<0+6,04+.!623<<*,-0F67!N4U*-!-*76,04+2.!*RN740,6,04+.!4NN-*2204+.!6+=!F4+,-47!62!49T*F,!45!2,:=3H!):FG!

6+6732*2!6-*!:+=*-,6Z*+!U0,G!677!0+,*77*F,:67!<*6+2!+*F*226-3!0+!4-=*-!,4!F4+,-09:,*!,4!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!

6! N6-,0F0N6,4-3.! F4D4N*-6,01*! 24F0*,3H! p-4<! 6! N-6R*4D4+,4D*N02,*<474;0F67! N*-2N*F,01*! 4+! 2F0*+F*! [F5H!

>45Z0-FG+*-Op:FG2Om76:+0+;*-!2005E!$ADA1\.!U*!F6+!,G*+!=*50+*!F-0,0F67!0+54-<6,04+!,G*4-3O2,:=0*2!62!6+!

*+=*614:-! ,G6,! 54F:2*2! 4+,474;0F6773! 4+! ,G*! 6+673202! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! 0+! ,G*! F4+,*R,! 45! =4<0+6,04+.!

623<<*,-0F67! N4U*-! -*76,04+2.! *RN740,6,04+.! 4NN-*2204+.! 6+=! F4+,-47! 93! *<N7430+;! *N02,*<474;0F6773! 677!

,G*4-*,0F67!6+=O4-!*<N0-0F67!<*6+2!+*F*226-3!54-!=40+;!24!0+!4-=*-!,4!F4+,-09:,*!6,!,G*!N-6R*474;0F67!7*1*7!

,4!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!6!N6-,0F0N6,4-3.!F4D4N*-6,01*!24F0*,3H!?01*+!2:FG!6!=*50+0,04+.!F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+!

,G*4-3!02!0+G*-*+,73!+4-<6,01*!6+=!N470,0F67H!

&-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! 62! F-0,0q:*! 45! =4<0+6,04+! 0+! ,G*! F4+,*R,! 45! <*=06.! F:7,:-*.! 6+=!

F4<<:+0F6,04+!F4--*2N4+=!N*-5*F,73!,4!,G*!:+=*-2,6+=0+;!45!F-0,0q:*!;01*+!93!Q6-R!0+!,G*!Introduction to

the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right! 0+! 1A##E! c'G*4-3! 02! F6N697*! 45! ;-0NN0+;! ,G*!<622*2! 62! 244+! 62! 0,!

=*<4+2,-6,*2!ad hominem.!6+=!0,!=*<4+2,-6,*2!ad hominem!62!244+!62!0,!9*F4<*2!-6=0F67H!'4!9*!-6=0F67!02!,4!

;-62N!,G*!-44,!45!,G*!<6,,*-H!Y:,.!54-!<6+.!,G*!-44,!02!<6+!G0<2*75H![HHH\!'G*!F-0,0F02<!45!-*70;04+!*+=2!U0,G!

,G*!,*6FG0+;!,G6,!man is the highest essence for man!g!G*+F*.!U0,G!,G*!categoric imperative to overthrow all relations!0+!

UG0FG! <6+! 02! 6! =*962*=.! *+2761*=.! 696+=4+*=.! =*2N0F697*! *22*+F*.! -*76,04+2! UG0FG! F6++4,! 9*! 9*,,*-!

=*2F-09*=! ,G6+!93! ,G*!F-3!45!6!p-*+FG<6+!UG*+! 0,!U62!N76++*=! ,4! 0+,-4=:F*!6! ,6R!4+!=4;2E!K44-!=4;2n!

'G*3!U6+,!,4!,-*6,!34:!62!G:<6+!9*0+;2nc![QXM!1E!oA5o\H!!

%5! U*! :+=*-2,6+=! Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! 62! ,G*! F-0,0q:*! 45! 677! 54-<2! 45! =4<0+6,04+! 6+=! 677! =4<0+6,01*!

-*76,04+2G0N2.! ,G*+!677! F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! 2,:=0*2! 6-*!6,! 7*62,!Q6-R06+D0+2N0-*=H!Q3!6-;:<*+,! 02! ,G6,! ,G02!

G*-0,6;*!2G4:7=!+4,!9*!=*+0*=.!9:,!,6Z*+!2*-04:2!6+=!N420,01*73!6FZ+4U7*=;*=H!!

M*!F6+!0=*+,053!,G-**!0<N4-,6+,!*7*<*+,2!45!,G*!Q6-R06+D0+2N0-*=!+4,04+!45!F-0,0q:*E!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o! '-6+276,04+! 5-4<E! G,,NEOOUUUH<6-R02,2H4-;O6-FG01*O<6-ROU4-Z2O1A#oOF-0,0q:*DGN-O0+,-4HG,<! [)*N,*<9*-! o0.!200A\H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

25$!

!! XN02,*<474;3!g!_067*F,0F67!`*6702<E!!

'G*!<6,*-067!U4-7=!02!2**+!62!N-0<6-3!6+=!02!;-62N*=.!=*2F-09*=.!6+6738*=.!6+=!N6-,73!,-6+254-<*=!93!

G:<6+2! 0+! 6F6=*<0F! U4-ZH! W+6732*2! 6-*! F4+=:F,*=! ,G6,! 6-*! 744Z0+;! 54-! ,G*! *22*+F*! 45! 24F0*,67!

*R02,*+F*!93! 0=*+,0530+;!F4+,-6=0F,04+2! ,G6,! 70*!6,! ,G*!G*6-,!45!=*1*74N<*+,:"&-0,0F67! ,G*4-3!6+6738*2!24F067! NG*+4<*+6! +4,! 962*=! 4+! 0+2,-:<*+,67! -*624+! 6+=! 4+*D=0<*+204+67! 74;0F.! 0H*H! 0,! 4N*-6,*2E! 1H!

M0,G! ,G*! 622:<N,04+! ,G6,!NG*+4<*+6!=4!+4,!G61*! 70+*6-! F6:2*2! 6+=!*55*F,2.!9:,! 6-*! F4+,-6=0F,4-3.!

4N*+.!=3+6<0F.!6+=!F6--3!F*-,60+!=*1*74N<*+,!N4,*+,0672!0+!,G*<!6+=!G*+F*!2G4:7=!9*!F4+F*01*=!0+!

F4<N7*R!54-<2J!2H!Y62*=!4+!,G*!0+20;G,!,G6,!-*670,3!2G4:7=!9*!F4+F*01*=!24!,G6,!,G*-*!6-*!+*0,G*-!4+73!

4NN4-,:+0,0*2! +4-! 4+73! -02Z2! 0+G*-*+,! 0+! 24F067! NG*+4<*+6.! 9:,! F4+,-6=0F,4-3! ,*+=*+F0*2! ,G6,! N42*!

94,G!N420,01*!6+=!+*;6,01*!N4,*+,0672!6,!,G*!26<*!,0<*!,G6,!6-*!-*6708*=!4-!2:NN-*22*=!93!G:<6+!24F067!

N-6F,0F*H!!

_067*F,0F! 6+673202! 0+! ,G02! F4+,*R,! <*6+2! F4<N7*R! =3+6<0F! ,G0+Z0+;.! -*6702<! 6+! 6+673202! 45! -*67!

N42209070,0*2! 6+=! 6! =067*F,0F! 45! N*220<02<! 6+=! 4N,0<02<H! %+! 6! =067*F,0F67! 6+673202.! NG*+4<*+6! 6-*!

6+6738*=!0+!,*-<2!45!,G*!=067*F,0F2!45!6;*+F3!6+=!2,-:F,:-*2.!=02F4+,0+:0,3!6+=!F4+,0+:0,3.!,G*!4+*!6+=!

,G*! <6+3.! N4,*+,0670,3! 6+=! 6F,:670,3.! ;74967! 6+=! 74F67.! 10-,:67! 6+=! -*67.! 4N,0<02<! 6+=! N*220<02<.!

*22*+F*!6+=!*R02,*+F*.!0<<6+*+F*!6+=!,-6+2F*+=*+F*.!*,FH!

!! S+,474;3!g!Q6,*-06702<E!!

&-0,0F67!,G*4-3!02!<6,*-06702,0F!0+!,G*!2*+2*!,G6,!0,!6==-*22*2!NG*+4<*+6!6+=!N-497*<2!+4,!0+!,*-<2!45!

69247:,*! 0=*62! 6+=! N-*=*,*-<0+*=! 24F0*,67! =*1*74N<*+,.! 9:,! 0+! ,*-<2! 45! -*24:-F*! =02,-09:,04+! 6+=!

24F067! 2,-:;;7*2H! `*670,3! 02! 2**+! 0+! ,*-<2! ,G6,! 6==-*22! 4U+*-2G0N.! N-016,*! N-4N*-,3.! -*24:-F*!

=02,-09:,04+.! 24F067! 2,-:;;7*2.! N4U*-.! -*24:-F*! F4+,-47.! *RN740,6,04+.! 6+=! =4<0+6,04+H! %+! 2:FG! 6+!

*+=*614:-!6!-*6F,:6708*=!+4,04+!45!F7622!02!45!F*+,-67!0<N4-,6+F*![F5H!p:FG2!200AE!FG6N,*-!$Ho\H!

'4!<6Z*!6!<6,*-06702,0F!6+673202!6724!<*6+2!,4!F4+F*01*!24F0*,3!62!+*;6,010,3.!,4!0=*+,053!6+,6;4+02<2!

<*6+2!,4!,6Z*!6!744Z!6,!F4+,-6=0F,4-3!,*+=*+F0*2!,G6,!-*76,*!,4!4+*!6+=!,G*!26<*!NG*+4<*+4+.!F-*6,*!

24F0*,67! N-497*<2! 6+=! -*q:0-*! 6! 5:+=6<*+,67! 232,*<0F! FG6+;*! 0+!4-=*-! ,4!9*!=022471*=H!'4! 6+6738*!

24F0*,3! 62! F4+,-6=0F,4-3! 6724!<*6+2! ,4! F4+20=*-! 0,! 62! =3+6<0F! 232,*<!9*F6:2*! F4+,-6=0F,04+2! F6:2*!

=*1*74N<*+,!6+=!<41*<*+,!45!<6,,*-H!!

%+!4-=*-!,4!6==-*22!,G*!+*;6,010,3!45!F4+,*<N4-6-3!24F0*,3!6+=!0,2!N4,*+,067.!-*2*6-FG!6724!+**=2!,4!9*!

4-0*+,*=!4+!,G*!,4,670,3H!'G6,!=067*F,0F2!02!6!NG07424NG3!45!,4,670,3!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!<*6+2!,G6,!24F0*,3!02!

6+6738*=!4+!6!<6F-4D2F67*!0+!4-=*-!,4!;-62N!0,2!N-497*<2!6+=!,G6,!-*624+2!54-!,G*!+*F*220,3!45!N420,01*!

,-6+254-<6,04+2!6-*!,4!9*!;01*+H!

!! WR0474;3!g!]*;6,0+;!,G*!+*;6,01*E!!

W77! F-0,0F67! 6NN-46FG*2! 0+! 4+*! 4-! ,G*! 4,G*-! -*2N*F,! ,6Z*! ,G*! 2,6+=N40+,! 45! 4NN-*22*=! 4-! *RN740,*=!

F7622*2!6+=!0+=010=:672!6+=!<6Z*!,G*!T:=;*<*+,!,G6,!2,-:F,:-*2!45!4NN-*2204+!6+=!*RN740,6,04+!9*+*50,!

F*-,60+!F7622*2!6,!,G*!*RN*+2*!45!4,G*-2!6+=!G*+F*!2G4:7=!9*!-6=0F6773!,-6+254-<*=!93!24F067!2,-:;;7*2H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

25A!

'G02!10*U!F4+2,0,:,*2!6!54-<!45!49T*F,010,3H!

&-0,0F67!,G*4-3!=4*2!+4,!6FF*N,!*R02,0+;!24F067!2,-:F,:-*2!62!,G*3!6-*.!0,!02!+4,!N:-*73!54F:2*=!24F0*,3!62!

0,! 02.!9:,!0+,*-*2,*=!0+!UG6,!0,!F4:7=!9*!6+=!F4:7=!9*F4<*H!%,!=*F4+2,-:F,2!0=*474;0*2!,G6,!F760<!,G6,!

24<*,G0+;! F6++4,! 9*! FG6+;*=! 6+=! 2G4U2! N4,*+,067! F4:+,*-D,*+=*+F0*2! 6+=! 67,*-+6,01*! <4=*2! 45!

=*1*74N<*+,H!'G6,!,G*!+*;6,01*!6+,6;4+02<2!6-*!2:976,*=!0+,4!N420,01*!-*2:7,2!02!+4,!6+!6:,4<6,02<.!

9:,! =*N*+=2!4+! ,G*! -*67086,04+!45!N-6F,0F67! 54-F*2!45! FG6+;*! ,G6,! G61*! 6!N4,*+,067! ,4! -02*! 5-4<! ,G*!

0+20=*!45! ,G*!232,*<2! 0+!q:*2,04+! 0+!4-=*-! ,4!N-4=:F*!6! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67!4:,20=*! ,G6,!9*F4<*2!6!+*U!

UG47*H!'G*!6R0474;0F67!=0<*+204+!45!F-0,0q:*!02!6+!0+,*-56F*!9*,U**+!,G*4-3!6+=!N470,0F67!N-6R02H!!

&-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! c4N*+2!<4-*! 2N6F*! 54-! F4+20=*-0+;! ,G*!N42209070,3! ,G6,! ,G*!U4-7=! F4:7=!9*!=055*-*+,!

,G6+!0,! 02d![&67G4:+!1995E!290\H!)4!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!,-0*2!,4!:+F41*-!:+-*6708*=!N4,*+,0672!45!24F0*,3H!>*;*7!

6+=!Q6-R!26U!670*+6,04+!,G*4-3!62!,G*!6+673202!45!,G*!+4+D0=*+,0,3!45!*22*+F*!6+=!*R02,*+F*!45!24F0*,3!6+=!

,G*! -*67086,04+! 45! 24F0*,3j2! *22*+F*! 62! ,G*! ;467! 45! 24F0*,3H! 'G*-*54-*! Q6-R! 2N*6Z2! 45! -*147:,04+6-3!

,-6+254-<6,04+! 62! c-*0+,*;-6,04+! 4-! -*,:-+! 45! <6+! ,4! G0<2*75.! ,G*! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 45! G:<6+! 2*75D

*2,-6+;*<*+,c.!6+=!c,G*!-*67!6NN-4N-06,04+!45! ,G*!G:<6+!*22*+F*!93!6+=!54-!<6+!cH! !c&4<<:+02<![02\!

,G*-*54-*![HHH\!,G*!F4<N7*,*!-*,:-+!45!<6+!,4!G0<2*75!62!6!24F067![0H*H.!G:<6+\!9*0+;!c![QXM!#0E!5o6\H!)4!

6724!;01*+!&67G4:+2!=*50+0,04+!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3.!4+*!<:2,!2**!677!F-0,0F67!24F067!,G*4-3!02![6,!7*62,\!Q6-R06+D

0+2N0-*=H!cQ6-R!,44Z!<:FG!<4-*!2*-04:273!,G6+!<42,!N42,<4=*-+02,2!UG6,!0,!U4:7=!<*6+!,4!,-6+2F*+=!6+!

*N4FGH!M*!+**=!,4!54774U!*1*-3!2N*F050F!45!G02!,G*4-3!,4!7*6-+!5-4<!G0<!6!20<076-!2*-04:2+*22d![&67G4:+!

1995E!2A9\H!&-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U4:7=!93!c,6Z0+;!2*-04:2!,G*!q:*2,04+!45!UG6,!0,!U4:7=!<*6+!,4!,-6+2F*+=!,G*!

F:--*+,!*N4FGd!4N*+!c<4-*!2N6F*!54-!F4+20=*-0+;!,G*!N42209070,3!,G6,!,G*!U4-7=!F4:7=!9*!=055*-*+,!,G6+!0,!

02d![&67G4:+!1995E!290\H!

W7*R! _*<0-410F! [200o9.! 200$\! 2**2! 0+,*-=02F0N70+6-0,3.! G02,4-0F0,3! 45! ,G*4-3.! 6+=! ,G*! :+547=0+;! 45!

F-0,0q:*! 0+! ,G*! 54-<!45!<4=*72!62! ,G-**!FG6-6F,*-02,0F2!45!p-6+Z5:-,!2FG447!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H!&-0,0F67! ,G*4-3!

U4:7=!2**!F4+F-*,*!NG*+4<*+6!0+!,G*!F4+,*R,!45!,G*!F-0,0q:*!45!24F0*,3!62!6!UG47*!6+=!,-3!,4!2G4U!G4U!

24F0*,3!62!6!UG47*!2G6N*2!,G*2*!NG*+4<*+6!6+=!G4U!6+=!,4!UG0FG!*R,*+,!F4+=0,04+2!54-!5-**=4<.!-*624+.!

N7*62:-*.!G6NN0+*22.!6+=!5-**!,0<*!=*1*74N!54-!677! [_*<0-410F!200#9\H!t:*2,04+2!694:,!UG4!F4+,-472!,G*!

<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+!U4:7=!G61*!9**+!1*-3! 0<N4-,6+,!54-!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3.!9:,!+4,!=*,*-<0+0+;!62N*F,2!45!

24F0*,3! [_*<0-410F! 200#6E! #$9\H! Q6-R! U4:7=! G61*! 2**+! F6N0,6702<! 62! 6! UG47*! ,G6,! 02! F4+2,0,:,*=! 93!

6:,4+4<4:2!N6-,2![_*<0-410F!200#9E!#A0\H!%!6;-**!U0,G!_*<0-410F!,G6,!,G*!*F4+4<3!=4*2!+4,!=*,*-<0+*!

24F0*,3.!9:,! ,4! 622:<*! ,G6,! 24F0*,3! F4+202,2!45! 6:,4+4<4:2!N6-,2!<*6+2! ,4! 6-;:*! 54-!6!N7:-670,3!U0,G4:,!

:+0,3H!&4:+,*-! ,4! ,G02!10*U.! %! 2:;;*2,! ,4!2**! ,G*!*F4+4<3!62!6!=4<0+6+,!232,*<!,G6,! 02!+*F*226-3!54-!677!

4,G*-!232,*<2!6+=!:+0,*2!,G*!N7:-670,3!,G6,!,G*2*!232,*<2!;01*!,4!24F0*,3!93!;010+;!,G*<!6!:+050*=!74;0F![,G*!

4+*!45!6FF:<:76,04+!0+!F6N0,6702,!24F0*,3\![p:FG2!200A\H!

M475;6+;!Y4+u![200o\!2**2!*<N0-0F67!F-0,0q:*.!0<<6+*+,!F-0,0q:*.!6+=!+4-<6,01*!F-0,0q:*![,G*!F-0,0q:*!

,G6,!24F0*,3!F4:7=!6+=!2G4:7=!9*!4,G*-!6+=!9*,,*-!,G6+!0,!02\!62!,G-**!1*-204+2!45!F-0,0q:*H!]*U*-!54-<2!45!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

259!

F-0,0q:*.!2:FG!62!,G*!,G*4-0*2!93!/7-0FG!Y*FZ!6+=!)F4,,!r62G.!U4:7=!G61*!=-4NN*=!,G*!+4-<6,01*!*7*<*+,!

45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3.!UG0FG!U4:7=!-*2:7,!0+!,G*!-*+4:+F*<*+,!45!,G*!0=*6!45!6!F-0,0q:*!45!24F0*,3H!!

_610=!`62<:22*+![1999\!6-;:*2!,G6,!,G6,!Q6-R!G6=!6!=*,*-<0+02,0F.!,*7*474;0F67!NG07424NG3!45!G02,4-3H!

>4-ZG*0<*-!U4:7=!G61*!N6-,73!q:*2,04+*=!,G02!10*U! 0+!G02!*2263!Traditional and Critical Theor3.!9:,!U4:7=!

G61*!6724!G*7=!4+!,4!62N*F,2!45!Q6-R02<!2:FG!62!*F4+4<0F!=*,*-<0+02<.!F7622!6+673202.!6+=!,G*!N42209070,3!

45! -*147:,04+H!>4-ZG*0<*-!6+=!W=4-+4!U4:7=!G61*!F4<N7*,*73!9-4Z*+!U0,G! ,G02!Q6-R02,! *2FG6,474;3! 0+!

The Dialectic of the Enlightenment!93!6-;:0+;!,G6,!-6,04+670,3!<:2,!-*2:7,!0+!6!+*;6,01*!G02,4-3!45!=4<0+6,04+H!

W=4-+4! U4:7=! G61*! 76,*-! N6-,73! 261*=! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! -6,04+670,3! 93! 6-;:0+;! 54-! ,G*! N42209070,3! 45! 6+!

67,*-+6,01*!54-<!45!-6,04+670,3!0+!6-,H!Y:,!4+73!>69*-<62!U4:7=!G61*!2:FF**=*=!0+!F4<90+0+;!,G*!F-0,0q:*!

45! -6,04+670,3! U0,G! ,G*! *6-73! >4-ZG*0<*-06+! =*<6+=! 54-! 6+! *<6+F0N6,4-3! -6,04+670,3! 93! 0+,-4=:F0+;! G02!

+4,04+! 45! F4<<:+0F6,01*! -6,04+670,3H! c%5! ,G*! F760<2! 45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! F6+! 9*! -*G69070,6,*=! 4+! 6!

,-6+2F*+=*+,67! 7*1*7! 62! ,G*! F760<2!45! 6!NG07424NG3!45! 76+;:6;*.! ,G*+! 0,!U4:7=! 6NN*6-! ,G6,!NG07424NG3! 62!

2:FG!F6+!9*!=*50+*=!102DvD102!6!,G*4-3!45!F4<<:+0F6,01*!6F,04+d![`62<:22*+!1999E!o6\H!!

):FG!6!2,-4+;!54F:2!4+!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!:+=*-2,44=!62!>69*-<6206+!=02F4:-2*!*,G0F2.!62!N-*2*+,*=!93!

`62<:22*+.!G62!9**+!FG677*+;*=!62!-*54-<02,!93!4,G*-!2FG476-2H!M07706<!M07Z*-24+!6+=!^*55-*3!K6-02![2001\!

0+!,G*0-!*=0,*=!F477*F,04+!New Critical Theory: Essays on Liberation!6=14F6,*!6!+*U!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3H!'G*!6FF4:+,!

02!F4+,-6=0F,4-3H!S+!,G*!4+*!G6+=!,G*!6:,G4-!45!,G*!N-*56F*!2N*6Z2!0+!5614:-!45!6!N42,<4=*-+!,G*4-3!,G6,!

54F:2*2! 4+! ,G*! c6+,0D0<N*-06702,.! -*F*N,01*.! 4N*+.! 6+=! -6=0F6773! N7:-6708*=! +6,:-*! 45! -*5:2672d! [Q6,:2,0Z!

2001E! R0\H! 'G02! N420,04+! 02! 6724! F4+50-<*=! 93! ,G*! ,U4! *=0,4-2!UG4! 6-;:*! 0+! ,G*0-! 0+,-4=:F,04+! ,G6,! ,G*3!

6FF*N,!c,G*!0=*67!45!=3+6<0F!6+=!G0;G73!<*=06,*=!-*76,04+2!9*,U**+!N6-,067!6+=!=02:+0,*=!6,,*<N,2!,4!,G0+Z!

,G*!UG47*d![M07Z*-24+OK6-02!2001E!2\.!,G6,!+4!;-6+=!:+050*=!,G*4-3!45!677!45!24F0*,3!2G4:7=!9*!24:;G,.!,G6,!

N7:-67!140F*2!6-*!0<N4-,6+,.!6+=!,G6,!,G*-*!02!+4!+*F*226-3!+**=!,4!-*5*-!,4!>*;*7.!Q6-R.!6+=!M*9*-H!S+!

,G*! 4,G*-! G6+=.! 24<*! F4+,-09:,04+2! 0+! ,G*! 944Z.! 2:FG! 62! ,G*! 4+*2! 93! ,G*! ,U4! *=0,4-2.! F4+,-6=0F,! ,G02!

N420,04+! [K6-02! 2001.! M07Z*-24+! 2001\H! ^*55-*3! K6-02.! 4+*! 45! ,G*! ,U4! *=0,4-2.! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! >69*-<6206+!

F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3!6+=!N42,<4=*-+02<!G61*! 742,! ,G*!c4NN420,04+67!2N0-0,!45!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3d!6+=!*+;6;*=! 0+!6!

c,6F0,!7*;0,0<6,04+!45!,G*!*R02,0+;!2,6,*!45!65560-2d![K6-02!2001E!2$\H!%,!U4:7=!9*!+*F*226-3!54-!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!

,4!N42*!-6=0F67!67,*-+6,01*2!6+=!,4!c*+6F,!,G*!+*;6,04+!45!F:--*+,!232,*<2!45!*RN740,6,04+!6+=!;-**=d![K6-02!

2001E! o1\H! M07706<! M07Z*-24+.! ,G*! 4,G*-! *=0,4-.! 2632! ,G6,! +*U! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! c2**Z2! 709*-6,04+! 5-4<!

=4<0+6,04+!6+=!670*+6,04+d![M07Z*-24+!2001E!$0\H!^6<*2!Q6-2G!2632!,G6,!N42,<4=*-+02<!6+=!>69*-<6206+!

,G*4-3! 6-*! +4,! c,-:73! -6=0F67.! F-0,0F67! 24F067! ,G*4-3d.! 9:,! c6! 709*-67! ,0+Z*-0+;!U0,G! 6!]*U!M4-7=!S-=*-d!

[Q6-2G!2001E!50\H!]*U!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3!U4:7=!G61*!,4!N40+,!,4U6-=!24F067! ,-6+254-<6,04+!6+=!=*<4F-6,0F!

24F06702<H!Q6-R!U4:7=!,4=63!9*!<4-*!-*7*16+,!,G6+!*1*-H!c>69*-<6206+!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3.!U*!F4:7=!263.!,4!6!

;-*6,! *R,*+,! 02! 6! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! U0,G4:,!Q6-R! 6+=! 02! ,G:2! 6! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! ,G6,! 02! 0+2:550F0*+,73! F-0,0F67d!

[Q6-2G!2001E!5$\H!'G02!,*+204+!9*,U**+!6!<4=*2,.!-*54-<02,.!N42,<4=*-+.!N7:-6702,!N420,04+!6+=!6!-6=0F67.!

-*147:,04+6-3.!Q6-R02,!N420,04+!4+!G4U!,4!=*50+*!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!<0;G,!9*!=:*!,4!,G*!56F,!,G6,!,U4!=055*-*+,!

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260!

1*-204+2! 45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! G61*! 9**+! 0+F7:=*=! 0+! ,G*! 944Z.! 6+=! ,G6,! ,G*! 7*62,! F4<<4+! =*+4<0+6,4-!

N-*2*+,*=!0+!,G*!0+,-4=:F,04+!G62!9**+!,G*!N42,<4=*-+!N420,04+H!K6-02.!M07Z*-24+.!6+=!Q6-2G!0+!F4+,-62,!

6-;:*! 54-! 6! -6=0F67.! -*147:,04+6-3.! Q6-R02,! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! 6+=! :2*! ,G*! ,*-<! +*U! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! 54-! ,G02!

*+=*614:-H!'G*3!2,-*22!,G*! 0<N4-,6+F*!45!Q6-R!6+=!Q6-F:2*!54-!6FG0*10+;!,G02!;467H!%+!<3!4N0+04+!,G02!

,*-<!02!+4,!U02*73!FG42*+!9*F6:2*!+41*7,3!G62!9*F4<*!6!N42,<4=*-+! 0=*474;3! 0,2*75! ,G6,!,-0*2!,4!N-*2*+,!

-6=0F6702<! 6+=! -*147:,04+! 62! 4:,=6,*=! 6+=! F4+,*<N4-6-3! F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3! 62! 5:+=6<*+,6773! +41*7H!

'G*-*54-*!%!U4:7=!-6,G*-!2N*6Z!45!,G*!+**=!45!6!-*F4+2,-:F,04+!45!Q6-R06+!,G0+Z0+;!6+=!6!-*,:-+!,4!,G*!

4-0;0+67!=*50+0,04+!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!;01*+!93!Q6-F:2*![19o$9\!6+=!>4-ZG*0<*-![19o$O2002\H!!

WNN730+;! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! ,4" 0+54-<6,04+! F6+! 9*! FG6-6F,*-08*=! 674+;! ,G*! ,G-**! =0<*+204+2! 45! F-0,0F67!,G*4-3E!

!! XN02,*<474;3!g!_067*F,0F67!`*6702<E!

W! ,G*4-3! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G6,! 02! =067*F,0F67! 6+=! -*6702,0F! 0=*+,050*2! 6+,6;4+02,0F! ,*+=*+F0*2! 45!

0+54-<6,04+! NG*+4<*+6H! %+54-<6,04+! 02! F4+F*01*=! 62! 6! F4<N7*R.! =3+6<0F! N-4F*22! ,G6,! 02!

F4+,-6=0F,4-3!6+=!=*1*74N0+;!6+=!N-4=:F*2!-*2:7,2H!%+54-<6,04+!02!2**+!62!24<*,G0+;!,G6,!02!N6-,!45!

,G*!<6,*-067!U4-7=!6+=!F6+!9*!;-62N*=.!=*2F-09*=.!6+=!6+6738*=!93!G:<6+2!0+!6F6=*<0F!U4-ZH!

!! S+,474;3!g!Q6,*-06702<E!

'4!<6Z*!6!<6,*-06702,0F!6+673202!45!0+54-<6,04+!<*6+2!,4!2**!0+54-<6,04+!+*0,G*-!62!N:-*73!2:9T*F,01*.!

+4-!62!N:-*73!49T*F,01*.!9:,!62!6+!6,,-09:,*!45!<6,,*-H!%,!-*q:0-*2!6!<6,*-06702,0F!<4+02,!N420,04+!,G6,!

2**2! 0+54-<6,04+!62!<6,,*-! 0+!<41*<*+,.!6!N-4=:F,01*.!F4+,-6=0F,4-3.!=3+6<0F!-*76,04+2G0N!9*,U**+!

<6,*-067! 232,*<2! ,G6,! G62! =*1*74N<*+,! N4,*+,0672! 24! ,G6,! G0;G*-D4-=*-! q:670,0*2! ,G6,! 2:976,*!

[W:5G*9:+;\! ,G*! :+=*-730+;! 232,*<2! 0+! 6! >*;*706+! 2*+2*! F6+! *<*-;*H! %+54-<6,04+! 02! 962*=! 4+! 6!

2:9T*F,D49T*F,D=067*F,0FH!'G6,! 0+54-<6,04+! 02!F4+,-6=0F,4-3!<*6+2! ,G6,! 0+!24F0*,3! 0,! 02!*<9*==*=!0+,4!

,G*! 6+,6;4+02<2! 45! F6N0,6702<H! %+54-<6,04+! ,G*-*54-*! -*57*F,2! 24F0*,67! N-497*<2! 6+=! N4,*+,067!

247:,04+2!,4!,G*2*!N-497*<2H!'G*!6+673202!45!0+54-<6,04+!+**=2!,4!9*!-*76,*=!,4!,G*!9-46=*-!24F0*,67!

F4+,*R,H! W! F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! 02! +*;6,01*! 0+! 24! 56-! 62! 0,! -*76,*2! 0+54-<6,04+! ,4! 24F0*,67!

N-497*<2!6+=!UG6,!24F0*,3!G62!5607*=!,4!9*F4<*!6+=!,4!,*+=*+F0*2!,G6,!q:*2,04+!6+=!F4+,-6=0F,!,G*!

=4<0+6+,!6+=!=4<0+6,01*!<4=*!45!4N*-6,04+!6+=!G*+F*!G61*!,G*!N4,*+,067!,4!9*F4<*!N420,01*!54-F*2!

45! 24F0*,67! FG6+;*! ,4U6-=2! ,G*! 9*,,*-H! %,! 744Z2! 54-!U632! 45! G4U! 0+54-<6,04+! F6+! 2:NN4-,! N-6F,0F67!

54-F*2! 6+=! 2,-:;;7*2! ,G6,! 60<! 6,! ,-6+2F*+=0+;! F6N0,6702<! 6+=! -*N-*2204+! 62! 6! UG47*H! Y62*=! 4+! ,G*!

0+20;G,!,G6,!,G*!9620F!-*24:-F*2!6-*!G0;G73!:+*q:6773!=010=*=!0+!F4+,*<N4-6-3!24F0*,3.!,4!F4+2,-:F,!6!

F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! 6724!<*6+2! ,4! 2G4U!G4U! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! -*76,*=! ,4!q:*2,04+2!F4+F*-+0+;!

4U+*-2G0N.! N-016,*! N-4N*-,3.! -*24:-F*! =02,-09:,04+.! 24F067! 2,-:;;7*2.! N4U*-.! -*24:-F*! F4+,-47.!

*RN740,6,04+.! 6+=! =4<0+6,04+H! %+! 2:FG! 6+! *+=*614:-! 6! -*6F,:6708*=! +4,04+! 45! F7622! 02! 45! F*+,-67!

0<N4-,6+F*![F5H!p:FG2!200AE!FG6N,*-!$Ho\H!

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261!

!! WR0474;3!g!]*;6,0+;!,G*!]*;6,01*E!

W!F-0,0F67!0+54-<6,04+!,G*4-3!2G4U2!G4U!,G*!,U4!F4<N*,0+;!54-F*2!45!F4<N*,0,04+!6+=!F4D4N*-6,04+!

[4-!4,G*-!F4+,-6=0F,4-3!N60-2!45! ,G*!+*;6,01*!6+=!,G*!N420,01*\!2G6N*! 0+54-<6,04+!6+=!-*2:7,! 0+!F7622!

54-<6,04+!6+=!N-4=:F*!N4,*+,0672! 54-! ,G*!=02247:,04+!45!*RN740,6,04+!6+=!4NN-*2204+H!%,! 02!962*=!4+!

,G*!T:=;*<*+,!,G6,!F4D4N*-6,04+!02!<4-*!=*20-697*!,G6+!F4<N*,0,04+.!UG0FG!02!T:2,!6+4,G*-!*RN-*2204+!

54-! 2630+;! ,G6,! 2,-:F,:-*2! 45! *RN740,6,04+! 6+=! 4NN-*2204+! +**=! ,4! 9*! q:*2,04+*=.! F-0,0F08*=! 6+=!

2:976,*=H!

W2!,G*-*!6-*!+:<*-4:2!0+54-<6,04+!NG*+4<*+6.!4+*!F6+!=02,0+;:02G!+:<*-4:2!2:9D=4<60+2!6+=!2:9D

,G*4-0*2!45!F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3H! %5!U*!F4+F*01*! ,G*!%+,*-+*,!62!6! ,*FG+4D24F067! 232,*<!,G6,!<6Z*2!

:2*!45!=0;0,67!+*,U4-Z2! ,4!*+697*! ,G-**547=! 0+54-<6,04+!N-4F*22*2!45!F4;+0,04+.!F4<<:+0F6,04+.!6+=!F4D

4N*-6,04+![>45Z0-FG+*-!2002.!p:FG2!200A\.!,G*+!F-0,0F67!%+,*-+*,!,G*4-3!F6+!9*!F4+F*01*=!62!6!2:9=4<60+!

45! F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! [p:FG2!2009\H!&-0,0F67! %+,*-+*,! ,G*4-3!F6+!9*!F4+F*01*=!62! 0=*+,0530+;!6+=!

6+67380+;!6+,6;4+02<2!0+!,G*!-*76,04+2G0N!45!%+,*-+*,!6+=!24F0*,3.!0,!2G4U2!G4U!,G*!%+,*-+*,!02!2G6N*=!6+=!

2G6N*2! ,G*! F4770=0+;! 54-F*2!45! F4<N*,0,04+!6+=!F4D4N*-6,04+.! 0,! 02!4-0*+,*=!4+! 2G4U0+;!G4U!=4<0+6,04+!

6+=!*RN740,6,04+!6-*!2,-:F,:-*=!6+=!2,-:F,:-0+;!,G*!%+,*-+*,!6+=!4+!G4U!F7622!54-<6,04+!6+=!N4,*+,067!F7622!

2,-:;;7*2! 6-*! ,*FG+474;0F6773! <*=06,*=.! 0,! 0=*+,050*2! %+,*-+*,D2:NN4-,*=! +4,D3*,! -*6708*=! N4,*+,0672! 45!

24F0*,67!=*1*74N<*+,!6+=!-6=0F6773!q:*2,04+2!2,-:F,:-*2!,G6,!-*2,-60+!G:<6+!6+=!24F0*,67!N4,*+,0672!54-!F4D

4N*-6,04+.!2*75D=*,*-<0+6,04+.!N6-,0F0N6,04+.!G6NN0+*22.!6+=!2*75D<6+6;*<*+,![p:FG2!200A.!2009\H!

MG3! 02!Q6-R! 0<N4-,6+,! 54-! 2,:=30+;! 0+54-<6,04+! ,4=63V!>62! ,G*! 6:,G4-! 45! ,G02! N6N*-! +4,! 7*6-+*=!

5-4<!G02,4-3V!%2!G*!,44!34:+;!,4!F4<N-*G*+=!,G*!G02,4-0F67!*--4-2!45!Q6-R02<V!MG3!2G4:7=!U*!-*,:-+!,4!

Q6-R!6+=!-*,G0+Z!6+=!-*F4+20=*-!Q6-R06+!F6,*;4-0*2V!%2!,G*-*!6+3,G0+;!7*5,!45!Q6-R02<!65,*-!,G*!5677!45!,G*!

)410*,! /+04+V!>62! ,G02! 5677! +4,! 0+1670=6,*=! 6+=! 5672050*=!Q6-R06+! ,G0+Z0+;V! >62! 0,! +4,! 9**+! 2G4U+! 93!

G02,4-3!,G6,!,G*-*!6-*!+4!67,*-+6,01*2!,4!F6N0,6702<.!,G6,!0,!20<N73!02!,G*!<4-*!N4U*-5:7!232,*<.!,G6,!02!G*-*!

,4!2,63.!6+=!,G6,!0,!N42*2!6+!*+=!45!G02,4-3V!>62!Q6-R06+!F-0,0q:*!6+=!F7622!6+673202!+4,!9**+!0+1670=6,*=!93!

N42,<4=*-+!F-0,0F02<V!

'G*! 0+,*-*2,0+;! ,G0+;! 694:,!Q6-R! 02! ,G6,!G*!Z**N2! F4<0+;!96FZ! 6,!<4<*+,2.! 6,!UG0FG!N*4N7*! 7*62,!

*RN*F,! 0,.! 0+! ,G*!54-<!45!16-04:2!Q6-R02<2!,G6,!Z**N!G6:+,0+;!F6N0,6702<!70Z*!;G42,2.!62!^6Fq:*2!_*--0=6!

[199#\! G62! 2,-*22*=H! %,! 02! N6-6=4R0F67! ,G6,! 67<42,! 20! 3*6-2! 65,*-! ,G*! *+=!45! ,G*! )410*,!/+04+.! F6N0,6702<!

2**<2!,4!G61*!5672050*=!0,2*75!9*F6:2*!0,2!+*4709*-67!<4=*!45!=*1*74N<*+,!G62!0+,*+2050*=!;74967!N-497*<2.!

F6:2*=!2*1*-*!N41*-,3!6+=!6!-02*!45!:+*q:67!0+F4<*!=02,-09:,04+.!6+=!62!6!-*2:7,!G62!9-4:;G,!6!-*,:-+!45!,G*!

*F4+4<0F!6+=!U0,G! 0,! 6! -*6F,:67086,04+!45! ,G*!Q6-R06+!F-0,0q:*!45!F6N0,6702<H!Q0FG6*7!Y:-6U43!6+=!X-0Z!

S70+!M-0;G,! [2002E! #60\! 6-;:*! 0+! ,G02! F4+,*R,! ,G6,! 0,! 02! =*2N0,*! c-*+*U*=! 6,,*<N,2! ,4! 9:-3! Q6-R02<d!

0<N4-,6+,!,4!c9:07=!Q6-R02<d.!UG0FG!U4:7=!0+1471*!2**0+;!,G6,!cF7622!F4+,0+:*2!,4!9*!6,!,G*!F4-*!45!,G*!

=3+6<0F2! 6+=! -*N-4=:F,04+! 45! F6N0,6702<dH! W7,G4:;G! 6! N*-202,*+,! -*5-60+! 02! cQ6-R! 02! =*6=.! 74+;! 701*!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

262!

F6N0,6702<d.!Q6-R!02!F4<0+;!96FZ!6;60+H!cW,!6!,0<*!UG*+!6!+*U!U4-7=!=024-=*-!02!6,,*<N,0+;!,4!0+2,677!0,2!

+*4DF6N0,6702<!6+=!+*4D709*-6702<.!+4!=02614U67!G62!<6+6;*=!,4!-0=!0,2*75!45!677!45!Q6-Rj2!;G42,2d![_*--0=6!

199#E! o$\H! c'-:*! 0=*62! 6-*! *,*-+67.! ,G*3! 6-*! 0+=*2,-:F,097*.! ,G*3! 67U632! -*,:-+! *1*-3! ,0<*! ,G*3! 6-*!

N-4F760<*=!=*6=d![!0"*Z!200AE!#\H!'G02!-*,:-+!F*-,60+73!+**=2!,4!-0=!0,2*75!45!0,2!G02,4-0F67!*--4-2!,G6,!2G4:7=!

+4,!9*!-*N*6,*=H!Y:,!,G*2*!*--4-2!6-*!+4,!0<<6+*+,!0+!Q6-R06+!U4-Z2![p:FG2!200A\.!-6,G*-!4+73!0+!2N*F050F!

Q6-R02,! 0+,*-N-*,6,04+2H! 'G*2*! F0-F:<2,6+F*2! *+697*! :2! ,4! -*=02F41*-! Q6-R! 62! ,G*4-02,! 45! -6=0F67!

*;670,6-06+02<!6+=!cF4D4N*-6,01*!2*75D-*;:76,04+d![Y:-6U43!2000E!1$2\H!

'G*!-*7*16+F*!45!Q6-R!,4=63!F6+!9*!492*-1*=!6+=!G62!67-*6=3!9**+!-*57*F,*=!0+!6!+:<9*-!45!U632E!

!! 'G*! ;74967086,04+! 45! F6N0,6702<! ,G6,! 02! 2**+! 62! 0<N4-,6+,! FG6-6F,*-02,0F! 45! F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3! 93!

<6+3!24F067!,G*4-02,2!02!6+!0<N4-,6+,!62N*F,!45!,G*!U4-Z2!45!Q6-R!6+=!X+;*72![*H;H!&6770+0F42!200o\H!

&4++*F,*=!,4!,G02!,4N0F!02!6724!,G*!Q6-R06+!,G*<*!45!0+,*-+6,04+67!2470=6-0,3!62!54-<!45!-*202,6+F*!,G6,!

2**<2!,4!9*!N-6F,0F*=!,4=63!93!,G*!67,*-<4+=06702,*!<41*<*+,H!

!! 'G*!0<N4-,6+F*!45!,*FG+474;3.!Z+4U7*=;*.!6+=!<*=06!0+!F4+,*<N4-6-3!24F0*,3!U62!6+,0F0N6,*=!93!,G*!

Q6-R06+!54F:2!4+!<6FG0+*-3.!<*6+2!45!F4<<:+0F6,04+.!6+=!,G*!;*+*-67!0+,*77*F,![*H;H!_3*-DM0,G*54-=!

1999J!>6-=,O]*;-0!2005J!p:FG2!200AJ!QF&G*2+*3!200$\H!!

!! 'G*! 0<<08*-086,04+! F6:2*=! 93! +*4709*-67! F6N0,6702<! 2:;;*2,2! 6! -*+*U*=! 0+,*-*2,! 0+! ,G*! Q6-R06+!

F6,*;4-3!45!F7622![*H;H!>6-1*3!2005\H!

!! 'G*!;74967!U6-!6;60+2,! ,*--4-!65,*-!9O11!6+=! 0,2!1047*+,!6+=!-*N-*2201*!-*2:7,2! 70Z*!G:<6+!F62:67,0*2!

6+=! 0+,*+2050*=! 2:-1*0776+F*! 2:;;*2,! 6! -*+*U*=! 0+,*-*2,! 0+! Q6-R06+! ,G*4-0*2! 45! 0<N*-06702<! [*H;H!

>6-=,O]*;-0!2000J!>6-1*3!200oJ!M44=!200o\H!

!! 'G*! *F474;0F67! F-0202! -*6F,:6708*2! 6! ,G*<*! ,G6,! -:+2! ,G-4:;G4:,! Q6-R06+! U4-Z2E! ,G6,! ,G*-*! 02! 6+!

6+,6;4+02<!9*,U**+!<4=*-+!0+=:2,-06702<!6+=!+6,:-*!,G6,!-*2:7,2!0+!*F474;0F67!=*2,-:F,04+![*H;H!p:FG2!

2006J!Sj&4++4-!199A\H!

W2!6!-*2:7,.!,G*-*!G62!9**+!6!c-*+60226+F*!45!Q6-R02,!N470,0F67!*F4+4<3d![&6770+0F42!200$E!o#2\.!U0,G!6!

-*2N*F,697*! 0+,*-*2,! 0+!Q6-R06+! 4-!Q6-R06+D0+2N0-*=! ,G0+Z*-2! 70Z*!?0416++0!W--0;G0.! ^6Fq:*2!Y0=*,.!]0FZ!

_3*-DM0,G*54-=.!Q0FG6*7!>6-=,.!_610=!>6-1*3.!`49*-,!QF&G*2+*3.!W+,4+04!]*;-0.!4-!)7614T!!0"*ZH!

!0"*Z![200A\!G62!-*F*+,73!6-;:*=!,G6,!,G*!6+,6;4+02<2!45!F4+,*<N4-6-3!F6N0,6702<!0+!,G*!F4+,*R,!45!

,G*!*F474;0F67!F-0202.!0+,*77*F,:67!N-4N*-,3.!904;*+*,0F2.!+*U!54-<2!45!6N6-,G*0=!6+=!27:<2!2G4U!,G6,!U*!2,077!

+**=!,G*!Q6-R06+!+4,04+!45!F7622!6+=!c6!N-47*,6-06+!N420,04+.!,G*!N420,04+!45!,G*!wN6-,!45!+4DN6-,jd![!0"*Z!

200AE!#2A\H!'G02!U4:7=!9*!,G*!4+73!U63!54-!9-*6Z0+;!,G*!c24:+=!96--0*-d!,G6,!N-*2*+,2!;74967!F6N0,6702<!62!

56,*!U0,G4:,!67,*-+6,01*2![#59\H!>02!2:;;*2,04+!02!,4!-*+*U!Q6-R02<!6+=!,4!=*5*+=!0,2!742,!F6:2*2!0+!4-=*-!,4!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

26o!

c-*+=*-!N-497*<6,0F!,G*!677D,44D*623!709*-67D=*<4F-6,0F!67,*-+6,01*d![6\!,G6,!02!N42*=!93!,G*!+*U!54-<2!45!6!

245,! F6N0,6702<! ,G6,!N-4<02*2! 6+=! 0+! 0,2! -G*,4-0F!<6Z*2!:2*!45! 0=*672! 70Z*!N6-,0F0N6,04+.! 2*75D4-;6+086,04+.!

6+=!F4D4N*-6,04+!U0,G4:,!-*67080+;!,G*<H!

'G*! F4-*! 45! ,G*! -*7*16+F*! 45! Q6-R! ,4=63! 02! +4-<6,01*E! ,G*! -6=0F67! F-0,0q:*! 45! F6N0,6702<! 6+=! ,G*!

*+10204+0+;!45!-*67!67,*-+6,01*2H!cY:07=0+;!Q6-R02<!62!6+!0+,*77*F,:67!N-4T*F,![h\!02!=**N73!F4++*F,*=!U0,G!

,G*!N470,0F67!N-4T*F,!45!FG677*+;0+;!F6N0,6702<!62!6!24F067!4-=*-d![Y:-6U43OM-0;G,!2002E!#61\H!'G6,!,G*-*!02!

6!F6N0,6702,!U4-7=!*F4+4<3!4:,!45!F4+,-47.!0+!UG0FG!<6+3!6-*!U4-2*!455!,G6+!9*54-*.!2:;;*2,2!c6+!4N*+0+;!

54-!Q6-R02<!g!6!-*+*U*=!F-0,0q:*!45!F6N0,6702<!6+=!0,2!N-4,*F,01*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*2d![Y:-6U43!2000!152\H!

M*! F6+! 492*-1*! ,4=63! c2,6-Z! 0+T:2,0F*! -*57*F,*=! 0+! ,G*! G4--0530+;! 0+*q:670,0*2! 0+! 705*DFG6+F*2d!

[&6770+0F42!2006E!251\H!c_4*2+j,!,G02!=*<6+=!5-4<!:2!6!F*-,60+!Z0+=!45!N6-,0670,3V!%+!,G02!-01*+!U4-7=.!02+j,!

,G*!6NN-4N-06,*!2,6+=N40+,!,4!,6Z*!,G6,!45!,G*!10F,0<2!45!0+T:2,0F*.!,G42*!*RF7:=*=!6+=!=*+0*=!6FF*22!,4!,G*!

-*24:-F*2!,4!UG0FG!,G*3!6-*!*+,0,7*=Vd![&6770+0F42!2006E!251D252\H!c'G*-*!G61*!-6-*73!9**+!,0<*2!UG*+!,G*!

0+,*77*F,:67! -*24:-F*2! 45! F-0,0F67! 24F067! ,G*4-3! U*-*!<4-*! +**=*=d! [&6770+0F42! 200$E! o52\H! 'G*2*! 6-*! ,G*!

-*624+2!UG3!Q6-R06+!,G*4-3!6+=!6+673202!6-*!+**=*=!,4=63H!'G02!6NN70*2!54-!6F6=*<06!0+!;*+*-67!6+=!0+!4:-!

F62*! 2N*F050F6773! 54-! F-0,0F67! <*=06! 6+=! F4<<:+0F6,04+! 2,:=0*2H! 'G*! =02F41*-3! 45!Q6-R06+! ,G*4-3! F4:7=!

6774U! 6! -6=0F67! *<NG6202! 0+! ,G*! F4+,*<N4-6-3! ,G*4-3! 6+=! F-0,0q:*! 45! NG*+4<*+6! 70Z*! ;74967!

F4<<:+0F6,04+.! Z+4U7*=;*! 7694:-.! <*=06! 6+=! ;74967086,04+.! <*=06! 6+=! 24F067! 2,-:;;7*2.! <*=06! F6N0,67!

6FF:<:76,04+.!<*=06!<4+4N470*2!6+=!<*=06!F6N0,67!F4+F*+,-6,04+.!,G*!=067*F,0F2!45!0+54-<6,04+.!4-!<*=06!

6+=!U6-H!!

45"%-1"6&'7018"'9"#88.$1$*1".$("%&.$/*1$(1$*1"#$"

*&#%#*.0":#$9'&8.%#'$;"%-1'&2"

!Q6-F:2*![19o$9\!*RN760+2!,G6,!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!=055*-2!5-4<!,-6=0,04+67!,G*4-3!9*F6:2*!0,!02!4-0*+,*=!4+!

<6,*-067! FG6+;*2! 45! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! N-4=:F*! -*624+! 6+=! G6NN0+*22! 54-! 677H! '-6=0,04+67! ,G*4-3! U4:7=! 9*!

0=*6702,0F! 6+=! 0+=010=:6702,0F!9*F6:2*! 0,!U4:7=! F4+F*01*! 5-**=4<!6+=! -*624+! 62! 6! 2,6,*!45!<0+=.!+4,! 62! 6!

<6,*-067!2,6,*!45!24F0*,3H!Y62*=!4+!0,2!<6,*-06702<.!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U4:7=!9*!4-0*+,*=!4+!24F067!2,-:;;7*2!45!

2:94-=0+6,*=!;-4:N2H!Q6-F:2*!2*,2!4:,!,G6,!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! 02!49T*F,01*!6+=!+4-<6,01*! 0+!,G*!2*+2*!,G6,! 0,!

4NN42*2! ,G*! 2:94-=0+6,04+!45!G:<6+2!:+=*-! ,G*!*F4+4<3! [*RN740,6,04+!45! 7694:-\! 6+=!=*<6+=2!6!+*U.!

=055*-*+,!,4,670,3H!'G*!F4<<4+!*7*<*+,!45!0=*6702,!NG07424NG3!6+=!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U4:7=!9*!,G6,!,G*3!94,G!

+*;6,*! F6N0,6702<.! ,G*! 50-2,! 93! ,G*!+4,04+!45! ,G*! 5-**! ,G0+Z0+;! 0+=010=:67! ,G6,! 02!<4-*! ,G6+! 6+! *F4+4<0F!

2:9T*F,.! ,G*! 2*F4+=! 93! ,G*! 0+,*-N-*,6,04+! 45! 5-**=4<! 62! 6! ;*+*-67! 2,6,*! 45! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! G:<6+2! G61*! ,4!

2,-:;;7*!54-H!>4-ZG*0<*-![19o$O19$0\!6-;:*2!,G6,!,-6=0,04+67!,G0+Z0+;!02!4-0*+,*=!4+!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+H!

%,!U4:7=!9*!6+!6+673202!45!,G6,!UG0FG!02!N420,01*73!;01*+!6+=!U4:7=!6550-<!=4<0+6,04+!,G-4:;G!0,2!0=*67!45!

*,G0F67!+*:,-670,3H!&-0,0F67!'G*4-3!0+!F4+,-62,!U4:7=!-*57*F,!,G*!=055*-*+F*!9*,U**+!N42209070,3!6+=!*R02,*+F*H!!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

26#!

Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! 5-4<! 0,2! 9*;0++0+;! U62! 6! F-0,0q:*! 45! -*70;04+.! ,G*! F-0,0q:*! 45! F6N0,6702<! F6+! 9*!

F4+20=*-*=!62!6+!*+G6+F*<*+,!45!,G*!F-0,0q:*!45!-*70;04+!,G6,!2G4U2!,G*!G02,4-0F67!6+=!0=*474;0F67!FG6-6F,*-!

45!F6N0,6702<H!W2!Q6-R06+!F-0,0q:*!6+6738*2!,G*!0+G*-*+,!F4+,-6=0F,04+2!45!F6N0,6702<!,G6,!N-4=:F*!F-02*2.!0,!

2G4U2! ,G6,! F6N0,6702<! ,G-4:;G! ,G*! 6+,6;4+02<! 9*,U**+! N-4=:F,01*! 54-F*2! 6+=! -*76,04+2! 45! N-4=:F,04+!

F4+,60+2!6+=!=*1*74N2!0,2!4U+!+*;6,010,3H!):FG!6!<*,G4=!45!F-0,0q:*!02!0<<6+*+,!F-0,0q:*E!0,!2,6-,2!5-4<!,G*!

F4+=0,04+2!45!F6N0,6702<!U0,G4:,!6NN*670+;!,4!,-6+2G02,4-0F67!167:*2!!4-! -*70;04:2! 2*+2*H! >4U*1*-.! 2:FG! 6+!

0+,*-N-*,6,04+! 45! Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! 62! N:-*! 0<<6+*+,! F-0,0q:*! G62! G02,4-0F6773! -*2:7,*=! 0+! =*,*-<0+02,0F!

0+,*-N-*,6,04+2!45!G02,4-3!,G6,!G61*!9**+!G02,4-0F6773!5672050*=H!'G*-*54-*!0,!G62!9**+!2,-*22*=!,G6,!Q6-R06+!

F-0,0q:*!6724!F4+,60+2!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!*7*<*+,2![*H;H!r:Z*2!19A5.!)63*-2!199$\!g!,G*!10204+!45!6!F4D4N*-6,01*!

24F0*,3! 62! ,G*! 9*2,! 54-<! 45! G:<6+! *R02,*+F*H!Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! 02! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! +4,! 0+! 6+! 0=*6702,0F! 4-!

-*70;04:2! 2*+2*.! ,G*! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! ,G6,! 0,! 0<6;0+*2! 02! 6!+4,D3*,! *R02,*+,! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 02! 6+,0F0N6,*=!93! ,G*!

*R02,*+F*! 45! ,G*! N-47*,6-06,! 6+=! ,G6,! G62! 0,2!<6,*-067! N-*F4+=0,04+2! 0+! F6N0,6702,! 0,2*75H! %,! 02! 6+! 0<<6+*+,!

,-6+2F*+=*+F*! F4<0+;! 5-4<! ,G*! 0+20=*! 45! 24F0*,3! 0,2*75H! Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! F6+! 0+! ,G02! 2*+2*! 9*! 9*2,!

0+,*-N-*,*=! 62! =067*F,0F! 45! 0<<6+*+F*! 6+=! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*H! )0+F*! ,G*! 76,*! 19$02! Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! 6+=!

,-6+2F*+=*+,672! 0+!;*+*-67!G61*!F4<*!:+=*-!G*613!6,,6FZ!93!N42,<4=*-+! ,G4:;G,.!UG0FG!6-;:*=! ,G6,!677!

+4,04+2! 45! ,-:,G! 6+=! *22*+F*! 6-*! ,4,670,6-06+H! Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! U62! 0+F-*620+;73! 2:N*-2*=*=! 93! 2,-0F,73!

0<<6+*+,!F-0,0q:*2![F5H!*H;H!_*7*:8*!2001.!p4:F6:7,!19$$.!r34,6-=!19$9\!4-0*+,*=!4+!0=*+,0,3!N470,0F2!6+=!

74F67!-*54-<2H!K42,<4=*-+02<!G62!0+!-*F*+,!3*6-2!9**+!FG677*+;*=!93!16-04:2!6NN-46FG*2!,G6,!2G4U!6!+*U!

54F:2!4+!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!+4,04+2!45!Q6-R02,!F-0,0q:*E!,-6+256F,:670,3!93!`43!YG62Z6-![199o\.!,-6+2F-0,0q:*!93!

m4T0+!m6-6,6+0![200o\.!4-!,G*!,-6+2*<N0-0F67!62!,4,670,3!45!,G*!U4-7=!,G6,!02!;01*+!-*624+!54-!93!=067*F,0F67!

NG07424NG3!0+!,G*!U4-Z2!45!>6+2!>*0+8!>478![2005\H!!

p4,0+0!k6Z0![2005\!G62!6-;:*=!,G6,!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!*7*<*+,2!0+!Q6-R02,!,G0+Z0+;.!*2N*F06773!>69*-<62j!

+4,04+!45!F4<<:+0F6,01*!-6,04+670,3!0+!=4<0+6,04+7*22!=02F4:-2*.!6-*!:+G02,4-0F67.!0=*6702,0F.!5*,02G02,0F.!6+=!

962*=! 4+! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! 6+! *22*+,067! 6+=! N:-*! 0=*+,0,3H! W+! 67,*-+6,01*! U4:7=! 9*! 6! F4<N7*,*! 0<<6+*+,!

F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H!>*!2**2! 2:FG!6+! 0<<6+*+F*! -*6708*=! 0+!W=4-+4j2!Negative Dialectics.!UG0FG! 02! 54F:20+;!4+!

0+,*-+67! F4+,-6=0F,04+2! 6+=! +*;6,04+2! 45! F6N0,6702<! 6+=! =4*2! +4,! 622:<*! 6! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! 4:,20=*H!

>4U*1*-.! 0,! F6+! 9*! 6-;:*=! ,G6,! 0+!W=4-+4j2! ,G*4-3.! +4+D0=*+,0,3! -*6708*=! 0+! ,G*! N420,04+! 45! ,G*! F-0,0F67!

,G*4-02,!UG4!<60+,60+2!6!N420,04+!4:,20=*!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!6+=!6:,4+4<4:2!6-,!0+!G02!Aesthetic Theory

F4+2,0,:,*! ,-6+2F*+=*+,672!9*F6:2*! ,G*3!6-*!F4+20=*-*=!62!-*202,0+;!<4<*+,2!,G6,!q:*2,04+!,G*!-*N-*2201*!

,4,670,3H!W77!Q6-R02,!,G0+Z0+;!,4!6!F*-,60+!*R,*+,!F4+,60+2!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!*7*<*+,2H!!

)4<*! 492*-1*-2! G61*! 6-;:*=! ,G6,! >4-ZG*0<*-j2! 6+=! W=4-+4j2! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! U62! 6+! 0<<6+*+,!

F-0,0q:*![&67G4:+!1995E!2oJ!>4++*,G!200$E!61.!6#\H!Y:,!54-!94,G!Q6R!>4-ZG*0<*-!6+=!'G*4=4-!W=4-+4!

,-6+2F*+=*+,67! *7*<*+,2! 45!&-0,0F67!'G*4-3! 6-*! 0<N4-,6+,H! )4! *H;H!>4-ZG*0<*-! 2N*6Z2! 45! ,G*! +**=! 54-! 6!

24F0*,3!U0,G4:,!0+T:2,0F*!4-!F4+=0,04+2!U0,G4:,!*RN740,6,04+!6+=!4NN-*2204+![>4-ZG*0<*-!19o$O19$0E!2oA.!

25$\H!%+!,G*!FG6N,*-!4+!The Concept of Enlightenment!0+!,G*!Dialectic of Enlightenment.!>4-ZG*0<*-!6-;:*2!,G6,!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

265!

,-6+2F*+=*+,6702<! 02! 0<N4-,6+,!6+=! 02!=*2,-43*=!93!N420,0102,! ,G0+Z0+;!,G6,! 02!962*=!4+!N:-*! 0<<6+*+F*E!

c'G*!N:-*!0<<6+*+F*!45!N420,0102<.!0,2!:7,0<6,*!N-4=:F,.!02!+4,G0+;!4,G*-!,G6+!6!54-<!45!:+01*-267!,6944H!

]4,G0+;! 02!6774U*=!,4!-*<60+!4:,20=*.!20+F*!,G*!<*-*! 0=*6!45!,G*! w4:,20=*j! 02!,G*!-*67!24:-F*!45!5*6-H![HHH\H!

X+70;G,*+*=!,G0+Z0+;!G62!6+!6+2U*-!54-!,G02.!,44E!50+6773.!,G*!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!2:9T*F,!45!Z+4U7*=;*.!62!,G*!

762,!-*<0+=*-!45!2:9T*F,010,3.!02!0,2*75!2**<0+;73!694702G*=!6+=!-*N76F*=!93!,G*!4N*-6,04+2!45!,G*!6:,4<6,0F!

<*FG6+02<2!45!4-=*-.!UG0FG!,G*-*54-*!-:+!677!,G*!<4-*!2<44,G73c![>4-ZG*0<*-OW=4-+4!19##O2002E!11.!

2o\H!'G*2*!N6226;*2!2G4U!,G6,!>4-ZG*0<*-!F4+20=*-*=!,-6+2F*+=*+,6702<!1*-3!0<N4-,6+,!6+=!62!6!54-<!45!

+4+D0=*+,0,3!,G6,!+**=2!,4!9*!:NG*7=!6;60+2,!N420,0102<H!

%<<6+*+F*!54-!>4-ZG*0<*-!6+=!W=4-+4!U62!+4,!6!N420,01*!5*6,:-*!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3.!9:,!U62!2**+!62!

,G*!5*6,:-*!0+!24F0*,3!,G6,!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!q:*2,04+2H!!

X1*+!,G42*!UG4!6-;:*!,G6,!F6N0,6702<!,G-4:;G!0,2!0++*-!F4+,-6=0F,04+2!N-4=:F*2!F-02*2!6+=!G*+F*!0,2!

4U+!=*<02*.!UG0FG!U077!-*2:7,!0+!F4<<:+02<.!G61*!,G*!+4,04+!45!6!+4,D3*,!*R02,0+;!4:,20=*H!'G*!q:*2,04+!

02! 4+73! ,4! UG0FG! =*;-**! ,G02! ,-6+2F*+=*+,6702<! 02! 2,-*22*=! 6+=! G4U! 0,! 02! -*76,*=! ,4! 6;*+F3! 4-! N4,*+,067!

6;*+F3H!>*-*.!16-04:2! ,-6=0,04+2!45!Q6-R06+! ,G0+Z0+;!=055*-H!)4<*!6-*!<4-*!6F,04+D,G*4-*,0F.! 24<*!<4-*!

2,-:F,:-6702,0F.! 24<*! -6,G*-! =067*F,0F6773! 9676+F*=H! W77! 45! ,G*<! G61*! 0+! F4<<4+! ,G6,! ,G*! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67!

*7*<*+,2! 6-*! +4,! N420,*=! 4:,20=*! 45! 24F0*,3.! 9:,! 6-*! 6+FG4-*=! 0+! ,G*! 0++*-! F4+,-6=0F,04+2! 45! F6N0,6702<.!

2:FG! 62! ,G*! 6+,6;4+02<! 9*,U**+! ,G*! N-4=:F,01*! 54-F*2! 6+=! ,G*! -*76,04+2! 45! N-4=:F,04+H!>*+F*!Q6-R02,!

,-6+2F*+=*+,6702<!02!<6,*-06702,!6+=!962*=!4+!6!24F0*,67!0<<6+*+F*.!0,!02!6+!0<<6+*+,!,-6+2F*+=*+,6702<!4-!

,-6+2F*+=*+,67!0<<6+*+F*H!),-:F,:-67!Q6-R02,2!,*+=!,4!6-;:*!,G6,!,G*!5:,:-*!45!24F0*,3!02!<60+73!2G6N*=!93!

,G*! 0+,*-+67! F4+,-6=0F,04+2! 45! F6N0,6702<.! UG0FG! 6-*! 2**+! 62! F4+2,0,:,0+;! 6! N4,*+,067! 4:,20=*! 6+=O4-! 6!

-*N-*2201*! 0=*474;0F67! 6550-<6,04+!45! ,G*! 2,6,:2! q:4H!>:<6+02,!Q6-R02,2! ,*+=! ,4! 6-;:*! ,G6,! ,G*!N4,*+,067!

4:,20=*!02!F4+2,0,:,*=!<60+73!,G-4:;G!F7622!2,-:;;7*2H!W!,G0-=!N420,04+!,-0*2!,4!F4<90+*!94,G!2,-:F,:-67!6+=!

6;*+F3D4-0*+,*=! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+,6702<H!]*R,.! %!U077! ,-3! ,4! 2G4U! ,G6,! ,G*! ,U4!<60+! =*50+0,04+2! 45!

F-0,0q:*! 9*20=*2!Q6-R02,! F-0,0q:*! g! N420,0102,0F! F-0,0q:*! 6+=! N42,<4=*-+! F-0,0q:*! g! 6-*! 94,G! 962*=! 4+! 6!

0<<6+*+F*!U0,G4:,!,-6+2F*+=*+F*H!

3.1 The Positivistic Notion of Critique

'G*!=055*-*+F*!9*,U**+!,-6=0,04+67!,G*4-3!6+=!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!6+=!9*,U**+!0<<6+*+F*!6+=!0<<6+*+,!

,-6+2F*+=*+F*!U62!6724!,G*!0<N70F0,!F6,*;4-0F67!=055*-*+F*!0+!,G*!N420,0102<!=*96,*!0+!?*-<6+!24F0474;3!0+!

1961H! K4NN*-j2! [1962\! :+=*-2,6+=0+;! 45! F-0,0q:*! 02! N:-*73! 0<<6+*+,! 0+! ,G*! 2*+2*! ,G6,! 0,! 02! 54F:20+;! 4+!

*N02,*<474;0F67O<*,G4=474;0F67! N-4F*=:-*2! U0,G4:,! ,6Z0+;! 0+,4! 6FF4:+,! G4U! 6F6=*<06! 02! 2G6N*=! 93!

U4-7=10*U2.! N470,0F67! ;4672.! 6+=! ,G*! U4-7=! 4:,20=*! 45! 6F6=*<06H! K4NN*-! F6+! 9*! F4+20=*-*=! 62! 6!

-*N-*2*+,6,01*! 45! ,-6=0,04+67! ,G*4-3! 9*F6:2*! G*! 2**2! F-0,0q:*! 6+=! ,-:,G! 62! 0+=010=:67! 6+=! 2:9T*F,01*!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

266!

F4+F*N,2H!'G*2*!6-*!0=*6702,0F!+4,04+2!54-!G0<H!W=4-+4j2!+4,04+2!6-*!<6,*-06702,0F!9*F6:2*!G*!2**2!,G*<!62!

4-0*+,*=!4+!24F0*,3!62!,4,670,3!6+=!0,2!<6,*-067!F4+=0,04+2H!!

'G*-*! 6-*! 2,6+=6-=08*=! N23FG474;0F67! ,*2,2.! 2:FG! 62! ,G*! &67054-+06! &-0,0F67! 'G0+Z0+;! _02N420,04+!

%+1*+,4-3! [&&'_%\! 4-! ,G*!M6,24+D?762*-! &-0,0F67! 'G0+Z0+;! WNN-60267! [M?&'W\.! 61607697*! ,G6,! 60<! 6,!

<*62:-0+;! F-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;H! >4U*1*-.! <42,! 45! ,G*2*! ,*2,2! 6-*! 962*=! 4+! 6! N:-*73! N420,0102,0F! +4,04+! 45!

F-0,0q:*H!W2N*F,2!45!q:*2,04+0+;!=4<0+6,04+.!62!,3N0F67!54-!Q6-R06+!,G0+Z0+;.!6-*!<0220+;H!

'G*!6:,G4-2!45!,G*!&&'_%!,*2,!=*50+*!F-0,0F67!,G0+Z0+;!962*=!4+!,G*!-*2:7,2!45!6!_*7NG0!N-4T*F,!,G6,!

U62!F4+=:F,*=!93!,G*!W<*-0F6+!KG07424NG0F67!W224F06,04+!0+!1990H!'G*!q:670,0*2!702,*=!677!5677!U0,G0+!,G*!

F4;+0,01*!6+=!F4<<:+0F6,01*!=0<*+204+2!45!,G*!F*+,-67!FG6-6F,*-02,0F2!45!N420,0102,0F!,G0+Z0+;![F5H!p6F04+*!

*,!67H!1995\H!'G*!&&'_%! 02!<6=*!:N!45!$5!6DN40+,! 70Z*-,! 2F67*! 0,*<2!6+=!2*1*+!2F67*2! [F5H!p6F04+*!*,!67H!

1995.! ?06+F6-74! 6+=! p6F04+*! 2001\E! 1H! '-:,G2**Z0+;! [=*20-*! 54-! 9*2,! Z+4U7*=;*.! 0+F70+6,04+! ,4! 62Z!

FG677*+;0+;!q:*2,04+2\.! 2H!SN*+<0+=*=+*22! [,47*-6+F*! 54-!+*U! 0=*62! 6+=!=01*-;*+,!10*U2\.!oH!W+673,0F0,3!

[6+,0F0N6,0+;! =0550F:7,0*2.! 67*-,+*22! 54-! ,G*! +**=! ,4! 0+,*-1*+*! 6+=! 24710+;! N-497*<2\.! #H! )32,*<6,0F0,3!

[0+F70+6,04+! ,4! 9*! 4-;6+08*=\.! 5H! &-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;! 2*75DF4+50=*+F*! [,-:2,! 0+! 4+*j2! 4U+! -*624+0+;\.! 6H!

%+q:020,01*+*22! [0+,*77*F,:67! F:-0420,3! 54-! 7*6-+0+;! +*U! ,G0+;2\.! $H!Q6,:-0,3! 45! T:=;<*+,! [T:=0F04:2+*22! 0+!

F4<N7*R! =*F0204+D<6Z0+;\H! Q42,! 45! ,G*2*! 2*1*+! 2F67*2! F6+! 9*! <6NN*=! ,4! ,G-**! F*+,-67! *7*<*+,2! 45!

N420,0102,0F!,G0+Z0+;E!622*22<*+,!6+=!4N0+04+!54-<6,04+![#.!5.!6\.!62Z0+;!q:*2,04+2![1\.!F4+2,-:F,01*!FG6+;*!

[o.! $\H! 'G*! 2*F4+=! 2F67*! -*57*F,2! ,G*! N42,<4=*-+! q:670,3! 45! N7:-670,3H! X7*<*+,2! 45!Q6-R06+! F-0,0q:*! 6-*!

<0220+;H!W+4,G*-! 70<0,!45!,G02! ,*2,! 02! ,G6,! 0,! 02!N:-*73!q:6+,0,6,01*!6+=!,G*-*54-*!F6++4,!,6Z*!0+,4!6FF4:+,!

q:670,6,01*!6-;:<*+,2!6+=!4N0+04+2!,G6,!F6+!4+73!9*!492*-1*=!05!-*2N4+=*+,2!6-*!62Z*=!,4!U-0,*!6+2U*-2!,4!

62Z*=!q:*2,04+2H!

'G*-*! 6-*! 6724!<4-*!q:670,6,01*73!4-0*+,*=! ,*2,2!45! F-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;.! 2:FG! 62! ,G*!X++02DM*0-!&-0,0F67!

'G0+Z0+;!X2263!'*2,![X++02!6+=!M*0-!19A5\H!'G*!-*2N4+=*+,2!6-*!62Z*=!,4!-*6=!6!7*,,*-!,4!,G*!*=0,4-!45!6!

+*U2N6N*-!6+=!,4!U-0,*!6!-*2N4+2*!N6-6;-6NG!54-!*6FG!N6-6;-6NG!45!,G*!7*,,*-H!'G*!,*2,*=!FG6-6F,*-02,0F2!45!

F-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;! 6-*! 6;60+! *0,G*-! N420,0102,0F! [2:FG! 62! c2,6,0+;! 4+*j2! N40+,c.! c2**0+;! ,G*! -*624+2! 6+=!

622:<N,04+2c.! c;*,,0+;! ,G*! N40+,c.! c455*-0+;! ;44=! -*624+2c\! 4-! N42,<4=*-+! [c2**0+;! 4,G*-! N42209070,0*2!

[0+F7:=0+;!4,G*-!N422097*!*RN76+6,04+2c\![X++02OM*0-!19A5E!1\H!

Y:-9:7*2! 6+=!Y*-Z! [1999E! #65\! N40+,! 4:,! ,G*! =055*-*+F*! 9*,U**+!&-0,0F67!'G0+Z0+;! 6NN-46FG*2! 6+=!

Q6-R06+D0+2N0-*=!&-0,0F67!K*=6;4;3!0+!*=:F6,04+E!d'G*!&-0,0F67!'G0+Z0+;!,-6=0,04+!F4+F*-+2!0,2*75!N-0<6-073!

U0,G!F-0,*-06!45!*N02,*<0F!6=*q:6F3H![HHH\!'G*!N-0<*!,4472!45!&-0,0F67!'G0+Z0+;!6-*!,G*!2Z0772!45!54-<67!6+=!

0+54-<67!74;0F.!F4+F*N,:67!6+673202.!6+=!*N02,*<474;3H![HHH\!'G*!N-0<6-3!N-*4FF:N6,04+!45!&-0,0F67!K*=6;4;3!

02! U0,G! 24F067! 0+T:2,0F*! 6+=! G4U! ,4! ,-6+254-<! 0+*q:0,697*.! :+=*<4F-6,0F! 4-! 4NN-*2201*! 0+2,0,:,04+2! 6+=!

24F067!-*76,04+2cH!!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

26$!

>*+-3!?0-4:R!G62!FG6-6F,*-08*=!,G*!&-0,0F67!'G0+Z0+;!6NN-46FG!62!N420,0102,0F!6+=!0=*474;0F67E!c'G*!

<42,!N4U*-5:7.!3*,!70<0,*=.!=*50+0,04+!45!F-0,0F67!,G0+Z0+;!F4<*2!4:,!45!,G*!N420,0102,!,-6=0,04+!0+!,G*!6NN70*=!

2F0*+F*2!6+=!2:55*-2!5-4<!UG6,!%!F677!,G*!%+,*-+67!&4+202,*+F3!N420,04+H!WFF4-=0+;!,4!,G*!6=G*-*+,2!45!,G*!

%+,*-+67!&4+202,*+F3! N420,04+.! F-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;! -*5*-2! N-0<6-073! ,4! ,*6FG0+;! 2,:=*+,2! G4U! ,4! 6+6738*! 6+=!

=*1*74N! -*6=0+;!6+=!U-0,0+;!6220;+<*+,2! 5-4<!,G*!N*-2N*F,01*!45! 54-<67.! 74;0F67!N6,,*-+2!45!F4+202,*+F3!

[HHH\!MG07*!677!45!,G*!7*6-+0+;!2Z0772!6-*!0<N4-,6+,.!,G*0-!70<0,6,04+2!62!6!UG47*!70*!0+!UG6,!02!*RF7:=*=.!6+=!0,!

02!U0,G!-*2N*F,!,4!UG6,!02!<0220+;!,G6,!,G*!0=*474;3!45!2:FG!6+!6NN-46FG!02!-*1*67*=c![?0-4:R!199#E!2005\H!

3.2. The Postmodern Notion of Critique

'G*! <60+! N42,<4=*-+! F-0,0q:*! 45! +4,04+2! 2:FG! 62! *22*+F*.! ;-4:+=.! 54:+=6,04+.! ,-:,G.! :+0,3.! 4-!

:+01*-2672!02!,G*!6-;:<*+,!,G6,!2:FG!F6,*;4-0*2!F6+!9*!:2*=!54-!7*;0,0<6,0+;!;-6+=!+6--6,01*2!45!=4<0+6,04+H!

X2N*F06773!)410*,!Q6-R02<!U4:7=!G61*!:2*=!2:FG!6!2,-6,*;3H!'G*-*54-*!0,!U4:7=!9*!9*,,*-!,4!622:<*!,G6,!677!

24F067! 2,-:F,:-*2! 6-*!N:-*! 24F067! F4+2,-:F,04+2.! ,G6,!G02,4-3! 02! 5:773! -*76,01*!6+=!4N*+! ,4!FG6+F*.! 6+=! ,G6,!

,G*-*!6-*!+4!54-<2!45!:+0,3!6+=!:+01*-267!F4<<4+670,0*2!45!G:<6+2!4-!24F0*,3H!^:=0,G!Y:,7*-!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!

6-;:*2!6;60+2,!=067*F,0F67!,G0+Z0+;!,G6,!=067*F,0F67!F6:26,04+!0+,-4=:F*2!6!N-0<6F3!45!F*-,60+!F6,*;4-0*2!,G6,!

2G*!2**2!62!c0<N*-067080+;!;*2,:-*!45!=067*F,0F67!6NN-4N-06,04+c![Y:,7*-!1990E!19\H!c_067*F,0F67!6NN-4N-06,04+!

6+=! 2:NN-*2204+! 45! ,G*!S,G*-! 02! 4+*! ,6F,0F! 6<4+;!<6+3.! =*N743*=! F*+,-6773! 9:,! +4,! *RF7:201*73! 0+! ,G*!

2*-10F*!45!*RN6+=0+;!6+=!-6,04+67080+;!,G*!<62F:70+02,!=4<60+c![Y:,7*-!1990E!19\H!!

'G*!N42,2,-:F,:-6702,!F-0,0q:*!45!:+01*-267!*22*+F*!G62!<42,!F7*6-73!9**+!54-<:76,*=!93!p4:F6:7,!6+=!

;4*2!96FZ!,4!G02!0+,*-N-*,6,04+!45!]0*,82FG*H!`60+*-!M0+,*-![200$\!6-;:*2!,G6,!,G*!1670=0,3!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!

=*N*+=2!4+!0,2!-*F0N0*+,2!6+=!UG*,G*-!,G*3!6-*!2,-*+;,G*+*=!93!0,!0+!0,2!6F,04+!F6N6F0,0*2!4-!+4,H!]4,!4+73!

>69*-<62j2! ,G*4-3.! 9:,! 6724!p4:F6:7,j2! ;*+*674;3!U4:7=!9*! 6! F4+,0+:6,04+!45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H!p4:F6:7,j2!

54F:2!4+!<0F-4DN-6F,0F*2!6+=!,G*!<0F-4D2,-:F,:-*2!45!N4U*-!02!54-!M0+,*-!6!54:+=6,04+!54-!,G*!F760<!,G6,!

0+!6!24F0*,3!UG*-*!F76220F67!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!G62!742,!0,2!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!-*147:,04+6-3!2:9T*F,2.!cF:7,:-67!2,:=0*2!

6FF*N,! ,G*! 0+G*-0,6+F*! 45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3d! [M0+,*-! 200$E! o2\H! p4-! p4:F6:7,.! ,G*!<*,G4=! 45! ;*+*674;3! 02!

4NN42*=!,4!,G*!2*6-FG!54-!4-0;0+2.!,G0+;2!U4:7=!cG61*!+4!*22*+F*!4-![HHH\!,G*0-!*22*+F*!U62!569-0F6,*=!0+!6!

N0*F*<*67!562G04+!5-4<!670*+!54-<2c![p4:F6:7,!19$$E!1#2\H!>02,4-3!U4:7=!+4,!G61*!,G*!0+G*-*+,!N4,*+,067!

54-!5-**=4<!6+=!-*624+E!c>:<6+0,3!=4*2+j,!;-6=:6773!N-4;-*22!5-4<!F4<96,!,4!F4<96,!:+,07!0,!6--01*2!6,!

:+01*-267!-*F0N-4F0,3.!UG*-*!,G*!-:7*!45!76U!50+6773!-*N76F*2!U6-56-*J!G:<6+0,3!0+2,6772!*6FG!45!0,2!1047*+F*2!

0+! 6! 232,*<!45! -:7*2! 6+=! ,G:2!N-4F**=2! 5-4<!=4<0+6,04+! ,4!=4<0+6,04+c! [151\H!?*+*674;3!c-*5:2*2! ,G*!

F*-,60+,3!45!69247:,*2c! [152\.!G02,4-3!U4:7=!9*!+*;6,01*.!=4<0+6,01*.!FG6+F*.!F4+570F,.! 742,.!6+=!6+!*--4-H!

?*+*674;3! U4:7=! 9*! =0-*F,*=! 6;60+2,! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! G02,4-3! 62E! 1H! `*<0+02F*+F*! 4-! -*F4;+0,04+J! 2H!

&4+,0+:0,3! 4-! -*N-*2*+,6,01*! 45! 6! ,-6=0,04+J! oH! '-:,G! 6+=! Z+4U7*=;*! [160\H! 'G0+;2! 2G4:7=! 9*! =*50+*=!

cU0,G4:,!-*5*-*+F*!,4!,G*!;-4:+=.!,G*!54:+=6,04+!45!,G0+;2.!9:,!93!-*76,0+;!,G*<!,4!,G*!94=3!45!-:7*2!,G6,!

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26A!

*+697*! ,G*<! ,4! 54-<! 62! 49T*F,2! 45! 6! =02F4:-2*! 6+=! ,G:2! F4+2,0,:,*! ,G*! F4+=0,04+2! 45! ,G*0-! G02,4-0F67!

6NN*6-6+F*c![p4:F6:7,!2002E!5o\H!!!

`4-,3!54-<:76,*=!20<076-!0=*62H!d)4!U*!G61*!F4<*!,4!=02,-:2,!,G*!N*4N7*!UG4!,*77!:2!,G6,!w34:!F6++4,!

FG6+;*!G:<6+!+6,:-*j!g!6!274;6+!,G6,!U62!*<N743*=!6;60+2,!,G*!*=:F6,04+!45!U4<*+.!0+,*--6F067!<6--06;*.!

6+=!;63!709*-6,04+c![`4-,3!199A\H!

%,! 02! F*-,60+73! 0<N4-,6+,! 6+=! ,-:*! ,G6,! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! *22*+F*! G62! 9**+! :2*=! 62! 6+! 0=*474;3! ,G6,!

7*;0,0<6,*2!4NN-*2204+H!)4!*H;H!>0,7*-!6-;:*=!,G6,!,G*!0++*-!*22*+F*!45!^*U2!02!N6-620,02<H!>*!U-4,*!0+!Mein

Kampf!,G6,!,G*!^*U!0+!c4-=*-!,4!F6--3!4+!G02!*R02,*+F*!62!6!N6-620,*!4+!4,G*-!N*4N7*2.!G*!02!54-F*=!,4!=*+3!

G02!0++*-!+6,:-*c![>0,7*-!1925E!oo5\#H!>*-9*-,!Q6-F:2*![19#1\!G62!6-;:*=!,G6,!,G*!]680!+4,04+!45!*22*+F*!02!

962*=!4+!N6-,0F:76-02<!6+=!02!4NN42*=!,4!,G*!>*;*706+!6+=!Q6-R06+!+4,04+!45!*22*+F*.!UG0FG!622:<*2!,G*!

*R02,*+F*!45! :+01*-267! q:670,0*2! 45! G:<6+2! 6+=! 24F0*,3H!p4-!>*;*7.! *22*+F*! 02! +4,! 6! N6-,0F:76-02,0F.! 9:,! 6!

:+01*-26702,0F!F4+F*N,H!>*!6-;:*2E!c'G*!W9247:,*!02!,G*!X22*+F*c![>*;*7!1Ao0E!x112\H!X22*+F*!02!;-4:+=!45!

*R02,*+F*H!'G*!;-4:+=! 02! ,G*!:+0,3!45! 0=*+,0,3!6+=!=055*-*+F*![HHH\!%,! 02!*22*+F*!N:,!*RN70F0,73!62!6!,4,670,3c!

[>*;*7!1Ao0E!x121\H!%+!Q6-Rj2!NG07424NG0F67!U-0,0+;2.!>*;*706+!*22*+F*! 02! 0+,*-N-*,*=!62!24F0670,3!6+=!F4D

4N*-6,04+H!c'G*!0+=010=:67!02!,G*!24F067!9*0+;c![QXM!#0E!5oA\H!'G*!0<N70F6,04+!45!,G02!622:<N,04+!02!,G6,!

F4D4N*-6,04+!02!24<*,G0+;!,G6,!677!G:<6+2!2G6-*.!,G6,!F6N0,6702<!670*+6,*2!,G*!N4,*+,0672!54-!F6N0,6702<.!6+=!

,G6,!24F0*,67!F4+=0,04+2!2G4:7=!9*!F-*6,*=!,G6,!6774U!677!G:<6+2!,4!N6-,0F0N6,*!6+=!,4!G61*!*q:6773!-*6708*=!

-0;G,2!6+=!,4!701*!0+!*q:0,3H!%,!02!,G02!2,-*22!4+!:+01*-267!*q:0,3!,G6,!7*=!,4!,G*!]6802j!G42,070,3!,4U6-=2!>*;*7!

6+=!Q6-RH!)4!*H;H! 0+! ,G*!<60+!U4-Z!93!W75-*=!`42*+9*-;![19o0\.! ,G*!]6802j!N-0<6-3! 0=*474;02,.!>*;*7! 02!

4NN42*=! 9*F6:2*! 54-! G0<! ,G*! 2,6,*!U62! 6! :+01*-267! F4+F*N,H! `42*+9*-;! 6-;:*2! ,G6,!>*;*7j2! 6+=!Q6-Rj2!

U-0,0+;2! 6-*! 54-*0;+! ,4! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! 9744=! [c97:,5-*<=c\! [`42*+9*-;! 19o0E! 525\.!UG*-*62!]0*,82FG*! 02!

F*7*9-6,*=!62! 24<*4+*!UG4!=*2,-43*=!677! 167:*2!6+=!2,44=! 54-! ,G*!9-**=0+;!45!6!G0;G*-! -6F*! [c-62202FG*!

>4FG8:FG,c\![`42*+9*-;!19o0E!525\H!>*-9*-,!Q6-F:2*!2:<<6-08*2!,G*!]680j2!4NN420,04+!,4U6-=2!>*;*7j2!

:+01*-26702<E! c'G*! 2,6,*! 62! -*624+! g! ,G6,! 02.! 62! 6! -6,04+67! UG47*.! ;41*-+*=! 93! :+01*-26773! 1670=! 76U2.!

F67F:7697*!6+=!7:F0=!0+!0,2!4N*-6,04+.!N-45*220+;!,4!N-4,*F,!,G*!*22*+,067!0+,*-*2,!45!*1*-3!0+=010=:67!U0,G4:,!

=02F-0<0+6,04+!g! ,G02! 54-<!45! 2,6,*! 02!N-*F02*73!UG6,!]6,04+67!)4F06702<!F6++4,! ,47*-6,*c! [Q6-F:2*!19#1E!

#1o\H!

'G*!N42,<4=*-+02,!*+<0,3!,4U6-=2!:+01*-26702<!6+=!*22*+F*!<6Z*2!0,!0<N422097*!,4!*+10204+!6!2,6,*!

45! 24F0*,3.! 0+! UG0FG! ,G*-*! 02! :+01*-267! U*67,G! 6+=! U*77D9*0+;! 54-! 677.! 6+=! 0<N422097*! ,4! 622*22! 2:FG!

F4+=0,04+2! 62! +4-<6,01*73! =*20-697*H! K42,<4=*-+02<! =4*2! +4,! G61*! 6! N470,0F67! 10204+H!Y:,7*-! [1990\! 6+=!

`4-,3! [199A\! 6-;:*! ,G6,! 6+! *<*-;0+;! :+0,3! 02! 6FF*N,697*! 05! 0,! 02! +4,! 6N-04-0! *+10204+*=.! 9:,! *<*-;*2!

2N4+,6+*4:273H! p4:F6:7,! [19$$\! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! G:<6+! G02,4-3! 02! 6! 2*q:*+F*! 45! =4<0+6,04+.! G*! 2**2! +4!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#!cX-!<:u.!:<!2*0+!_62*0+!672!ks7Z*-N6-620,!5aG-*+!8:!Zs++*+.!8:-!k*-7*:;+:+;!2*0+*-!0++*-*+!M*2*+26-,!;-*05*+cH!

Page 23: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

269!

N42209070,3! 54-! ,G*! -*67086,04+!45!:+01*-267! -*624+!6+=!G6NN0+*22H!'G6,! 24<*,G0+;!*<*-;*2! 2N4+,6+*4:273!

5-4<!9*74U!=4*2!+4,!;:6-6+,**!,G6,!0,!9*+*50,2!677H!Y:,7*-j2!6+=!`4-,3j2!N42,<4=*-+!6+,0D*22*+,06702<!6+=!

6+,0D54:+=6,04+6702<! 02! -*76,0102,0F.! 0,! *q:6708*2! 677! 24F0*,67! F4+=0,04+2.! *H;H! 562F02<! 6+=! N6-,0F0N6,4-3!

=*<4F-6F3H! %+!<3! 4N0+04+.! 0,! ,G*-*54-*! ,-0106708*2! ,G*! 9*2,0670,3! 45! 562F02<! 9*F6:2*! 0,! =4*2! +4,! N-410=*!

F6,*;4-0*2! ,G6,! 6774U! +4-<6,01*! T:=;*<*+,! 45! 2:FG! F4+=0,04+2H! p4:F6:7,j2! 6+,0D*22*+,06702<! 6+=! 6+,0D

54:+=6,04+6702<! -*2:7,2! 0+! 6! +*;6,01*! F4+F*N,! 45! G02,4-3.! 67,G4:;G! G*! 4NN42*2! :+01*-26702<! 6+=!

*22*+,06702<.!G*!*22*+,06708*2!G:<6+!G02,4-3!62!+*F*226-3!=4<0+6,01*H!p4:F6:7,j2!<*,G4=!45!;*+*674;3!=4*2!

+4,!Z+4U!,G*!N42209070,3!45!G:<6+!6+=!24F0*,67!9*,,*-<*+,.!U*67,G!6+=!*q:0,3!54-!677H!

'G*! 67,*-+6,01*! 54-! :2! 02! ,4! 622:<*.! 62! >*-9*-,! Q6-F:2*! =0=.! ,G6,! ,G*-*! 6-*! :+01*-267! G:<6+!

FG6-6F,*-02,0F2! 2:FG! 62! 24F0670,3.! F4D4N*-6,04+.! 4-! ,G*! =*20-*! 54-!U*67,G.! G6NN0+*22.! 5-**=4<.! -*624+.! ,G6,!

F4+=0,04+2!2G4:7=!9*!F-*6,*=!,G6,!6774U!,G*!:+01*-267!-*67086,04+!45!,G*2*!q:670,0*2.!,G6,!24F0*,0*2!,G6,!=4!+4,!

;:6-6+,**!,G*!-*67086,04+!45!,G*2*!G:<6+!N4,*+,0672!6-*!5672*!24F0*,0*2.!6+=!,G6,!F4+2F04:2+*22!,G6,!U6+,2!,4!

N*-N*,:6,*! 2:FG! 5672*! 24F0*,67! F4+=0,04+2! 02! 5672*! F4+2F04:2+*22H! ):FG! 6! 54-<! 45! :+01*-26702<! 02! +4,!

,4,670,6-06+.! 9:,! 2G4:7=! 9*! -*6=! 62! 6! 54-<! 45! G:<6+02<! ,G6,! 2,-:;;7*2! 54-! :+01*-267! *q:0,3H! S+73! ,G*!

622:<N,04+!,G6,!,G*-*!02!24<*,G0+;!N420,01*!,G6,!677!G:<6+2!G61*!0+!F4<<4+!6774U2!,G*!*+10204+0+;!45!6!

2,6,*!UG*-*!677!G:<6+2!6-*!;:6-6+,**=!*q:67! 5:+=6<*+,67! -0;G,2H!):FG!*22*+,067!F4+=0,04+2!6-*!+4,!;01*+!

6+=!*+10204+*=!6:,4<6,0F6773.!,G*3!G61*!G02,4-0F67!FG6-6F,*-!6+=!:+=*-!;01*+!*F4+4<0F.!N470,0F67.!F:7,:-67.!

6+=!,*FG+474;0F67!F4+=0,04+2!,G*3!F6+!9*!-*6FG*=!,4!6!F*-,60+!=*;-**H!>:<6+2!G61*!,G*!69070,3!,4!2,-:;;7*!

6+=!,4!6F,!F4+2F04:273!0+!,-6+254-<6,01*!U632H!'G*-*54-*!*6FG!24F0*,67!*N4FG!02!2G6N*=!93!,G*!q:*2,04+!05!

G:<6+2!U077!4-!U077!+4,!6F,!,4!F-*6,*!6+=!-*6708*!,G*!*N4FGj2!0+G*-*+,!6+=!=3+6<0F6773!=*1*74N0+;!N4,*+,0672!

4-!+4,H!'G*3!2G6N*!6+=!N4,*+,06773!*+G6+F*!,G*!2N6F*!45!N42209070,0*2!6+=!6,!,G*!26<*!,0<*!6F,!4-!=4!+4,!6F,!

,4! -*6708*! ,G*2*!F-*6,*=!N42209070,0*2H!>:<6+!*22*+,0672!6-*!2:92,6+,067.! 05! ,G*3!6-*!6FG0*1*=!4-!+4,!6+=!,4!

UG0FG! *R,*+,! ,G*3! F6+! 9*! -*6708*=! 6+=! G4U! ,G*3! =*1*74N! 02! F4<N7*,*73! G02,4-0F67.! 0H*H! 962*=! 4+! G:<6+!

6;*+F3H! %+! Q6-Rj2! U4-Z2! c,G*! +*;6,010,3! 45! -*670,3! 9*F4<*2! 6! G02,4-0F67! F4+=0,04+! UG0FG! F6++4,! 9*!

G3N42,6,08*=! 62! 6! <*,6NG320F67! 2,6,*! 45! 65560-2H! [h\! 'G*! ;01*+! 2,6,*! 45! 65560-2! 02! +*;6,01*! 6+=! F6+! 9*!

-*+=*-*=!N420,01*!4+73!93! 709*-6,0+;! ,G*!N42209070,0*2! 0<<6+*+,! 0+! 0,H! [h\!'-:,G.! 0+! 2G4-,.! 02!+4,! 6! -*67<!

6N6-,!5-4<!G02,4-0F67!-*670,3.!+4-!6!-*;04+!45!*,*-+6773!1670=!0=*62H![h\!]4,!,G*!270;G,*2,!+6,:-67!+*F*220,3!4-!

6:,4<6,0F!0+*10,69070,3!;:6-6+,**2!,G*!,-6+20,04+!5-4<!F6N0,6702<!,4!24F06702<H![h\!'G*!-*147:,04+!-*q:0-*2!

,G*!<6,:-0,3!45!<6+3!54-F*2.!9:,!,G*!;-*6,*2,!6<4+;!,G*<!02!,G*!2:9T*F,01*!54-F*.!+6<*73.!,G*!-*147:,04+6-3!

F7622! 0,2*75H! 'G*! -*67086,04+! 45! 5-**=4<! 6+=! -*624+! -*q:0-*2! ,G*! 5-**! -6,04+670,3! 45! ,G42*!UG4! 6FG0*1*! 0,H!

Q6-R06+!,G*4-3!02.!,G*+.!0+F4<N6,097*!U0,G!56,6702,0F!=*,*-<0+02<d![Q6-F:2*!19#1E!o1#5.!o1A5\H!

Q6-F:2*! 6+,0F0N6,*=! ,G*! F-0,0q:*! 45! N42,<4=*-+! -*76,0102<! UG*+! G*! 6-;:*=! 0+! 19o6! 54-! 6!Q6-R02,!

+4,04+!45! *22*+F*E! cW! ,G*4-3! ,G6,!U6+,2! ,4! *-6=0F6,*! 5-4<! 2F0*+F*! ,G*! F4+F*N,!45! *22*+F*! 2:FF:<92! ,4!

G*7N7*22! -*76,0102<.! ,G:2! N-4<4,0+;! ,G*! 1*-3! N4U*-2! UG42*! -*6F,04+6-3! ,G4:;G,! 0,! U6+,2! ,4! F4<96,c!

[Q6-F:2*!196AE!#5\H!%,!<6Z*2!N-6F,0F67!N470,0F67!2*+2*!,4!6-;:*!,G6,!,G*-*!02!6!,-:,G!0<<6+*+,!0+!24F0*,3!,G6,!

Page 24: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$0!

02!+4,!6:,4<6,0F6773!-*6708*=!6+=!,G6,!,G02!,-:,G!02!;01*+!0+!,G*!+**=!6+=!N42209070,3!54-!6!;44=!705*!54-!677H!

MG6,!4+*!F6+!,6Z*!62!6+!0<N4-,6+,!0+20;G,!5-4<!N42,<4=*-+!,G*4-3!02!,G6,!4NN-*2204+!,6Z*2!4+!=055*-*+,!

54-<2!6+=!F4+,*R,2!6+=!,G6,!4NN-*22*=!0+=010=:672!6+=!;-4:N2!5-*q:*+,73!2,6+=!0+!F4+,-6=0F,4-3!-*76,04+2!

,4! *6FG! 4,G*-H! Y-0+;0+;! 94,G! 6-;:<*+,2! ,4;*,G*-! 6774U2! ,4! 622:<*! ,G6,! ,-:,G! 02! 2:9=010=*=! 0+,4! N6-,067!

,-:,G2!,G6,!6-*!0+,*-F4++*F,*=.!4NN-*22*=!;-4:N2!6+=!0+=010=:672!2G6-*!F4<<4+!0+,*-*2,2!9*F6:2*!,G*3!6-*!

677! F4+5-4+,*=!93! ,G*! 26<*!;74967! 232,*<!45!4NN-*2204+.! 6,! ,G*! 26<*! ,0<*! ,G*3! 6724!G61*!=055*-0+;! 2:9D

0+,*-*2,2!9*F6:2*!4NN-*2204+! 02!F4+,*R,:6708*=! 0+!<6+3!54-<2H!MG6,! 02!+**=*=!02!6!=055*-*+,06,*=!:+0,3.!6!

54-<!45!N470,0F2!,G6,!02!962*=!4+!:+0,3!0+!=01*-20,3H!!

'G*-*!02!6!+:<9*-!45!,3N474;0*2!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-0*2!,G6,!F4+20=*-!N42,<4=*-+02<!62!67U632!F-0,0F67!6+=!

Q6-R06+!,G*4-3!4+73!62!4+*!6<4+;!2*1*-67!,3N*2!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-0*2H!r402!'324+!F4+F*01*2!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!62!

6!<*,G4=!45!6+67380+;! ,*R,2E!cUG*+!U*! 0+,*-N-*,!6! 70,*-6-3! ,*R,.!U*!6-*!=40+;! 70,*-6-3!F-0,0F02<J!UG*+!U*!

*R6<0+*! ,G*! F-0,*-06! :N4+! 4:-! 0+,*-N-*,6,04+! -*2,2.! U*! 6-*! =40+;! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3d! ['324+! 2006E! 6\H! >*!

=02,0+;:02G*2! 9*,U**+! 11! ,3N*2! 45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! ,G6,! F6+! 9*! 6NN70*=! ,4! ,G*! =*F4+2,-:F,04+! 45! ,*R,2E!

N23FG46+673,0F! F-0,0F02<.! Q6-R02,! F-0,0F02<.! 5*<0+02,! F-0,0F02<.! +*U! F-0,0F02<.! -*6=*-D-*2N4+2*! F-0,0F02<.!

2,-:F,:-6702,!F-0,0F02<.!=*F4+2,-:F,01*!F-0,0F02<.!+*U!G02,4-0F67!6+=!F:7,:-67!F-0,0F02<J!7*2906+.!;63!6+=!q:**-!

F-0,0F02<J! W5-0F6+DW<*-0F6+! F-0,0F02<.! 6+=! N42,F474+067! F-0,0F02<! ['324+! 2006\H! _4:;762! '6776FZ! G62!

*2,69702G*=!6!20<076-!,3N474;3!45!=055*-*+,!54-<2!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3H!p4-!G0<!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!02!FG6-6F,*-02*=!

93!=*F4+2,-:F,01*!2*75D-*57*R010,3.!0<<6+*+,!F-0,0q:*.!6+=!,G*!*R6<0+6,04+!45!,-:,G!62!,G*!N-0<6-3!54F:2!54-!

6+673202! ['6776FZ! 1995E! o\H! '6776FZ! =055*-*+,06,*2! 9*,U**+! 501*! 54-<2! 45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3E! Q6-R02<.!

),-:F,:-6702<! 6+=! K42,D),-:F,:-6702<.! K23FG46+673,0F! ,G*4-3.! 5*<0+02<.! N42,D54:+=6,04+67! *,G0F2! 6+=!

N470,0F2H!_610=!>43![>43!200#\!F-0,0F08*2!p-6+Z5:-,!2FG447!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!62!6!,4,67080+;!<*,6D+6--6,01*!6+=!

2:;;*2,2! ,G6,! N42,<4=*-+02<! 2G4:7=! 9*! F4+20=*-*=! 62! 6! +*U! 54-<!45! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H!>*! 2N*6Z2! 0+! ,G02!

F4+,*R,! 45! F-0,0F67! N7:-6702<! [>43OQF&6-,G3! 199#E! 200\! 6+=! 45! N42,DF-0,0q:*! [>43! 200#\H! K42,DF-0,0q:*!

U4:7=!9*!FG6-6F,*-08*=!93!N*-<6+*+,!2*75DF-0,0q:*.!0H*H!,G*!q:*2,04+0+;!45!0,2!4U+!54:+=6,04+2H!>43![200#\!

=02F:22*2!]0*,82FG*.!_*7*:8*.!p4:F6:7,.!Y4:-=0*:.!r*10+62.!_*--0=6.!r6F76:.!Q4:55*.!!0"*ZH!K42,DF-0,0q:*!02!

6!23+,G*202!45!_*--0=6j2!*,G0F2!6+=!p4:F6:7,j2!N470,0F2!,G6,!>43!6724!,*-<2!c=*F4+2,-:F,01*!;*+*674;3dH!

'324+j2!6+=!'6776FZj2!,3N474;0*2!6-*! 0+54-<*=!93!N42,<4=*-+!,G0+Z0+;.!,G*3!6-;:*!54-!6!N7:-670,3!45!

=055*-*+,! +4,04+2! 45! F-0,0q:*H! 'G*! <60+! 54F:2! 70*2! 4+! ,G*! *R6<0+6,04+! 6+=! =*F4+2,-:F,04+! 45! ,-:,GH!

WFF4-=0+;! ,4! ,G02!N40+,!45!10*U.! ,*R,2.!6+=! ,G*! ,-:,G2! ,G6,! ,G*3!*<94=3.!F6+!9*!6+6738*=!5-4<!=055*-*+,!

N*-2N*F,01*2!70Z*!5*<0+02<.!2,-:F,:-6702<.!q:**-!F-0,0F02<.!N42,F474+067DF-0,0F02<.!*,FH!'G02!2G05,!5-4<!N4U*-!

6+=!=4<0+6,04+!,4!,-:,G!62!,G*!F*+,-67!F6,*;4-3!45!F-0,0q:*!<*6+2!6!<6T4-!FG6+;*! 0+!,G*!54-<!45!F-0,0F67!

6+673202H!),*1*+!Y*2,!6+=!_4:;762!m*77+*-!G61*!6-;:*=!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!,G6,!2:FG!*+=*614:-2!>W)!7*6=!,4!

-*76,0102,0F!6NN-46FG*2E!dK42,<4=*-+! ,G*4-0*2!F6+!9*!:2*=! ,4!6,,6FZ!4-!=*5*+=!<4=*-+0,3.! ,4! -*F4+2,-:F,!

-6=0F67!N470,0F2!4-! ,4!=*F76-*! ,G*0-! 0<N42209070,3.! ,4!*+G6+F*!Q6-R06+! ,G*4-3!4-! ,4!=*+4:+F*! 0,.! ,4!9472,*-!

5*<0+02,! F-0,0q:*2!4-! ,4!:+=*-<0+*! ,G*<Hc! [Y*2,! 6+=!m*77*-! 1991E! o56\H!Y*2,! 6+=!m*77+*-!N40+,!4:,! ,G6,!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$1!

N42,<4=*-+!,G*4-0*2!70<0,!,G*<2*71*2!,4!,G*!492*-16,04+!45!=055*-*+,!54-<2!45!4NN-*2204+!U0,G4:,!N76F0+;!

,G*<! 0+,4! 6! 24F0*,67! F4+,*R,E! cK42,<4=*-+! ,G*4-3! 2N70,2! F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3! 0+,4! 2*N6-6,*! 6+=! :+<*=06,*=!

-*67<2.!6+67380+;!F:7,:-*!0+!02476,04+!5-4<!,G*!*F4+4<3.!4-!N470,0F2!6N6-,!5-4<!,G*!F4+T:+F,:-*!45!9:20+*22!

6+=!;41*-+<*+,c![Y*2,!6+=!m*77+*-!1991E!2A9\H!W2!U*!701*!0+!6!F6N0,6702,!24F0*,3.!F4+20=*-0+;!,G*!24F0*,67!

F4+,*R,! 67U632!<*6+2! 744Z0+;! 6,! ,G*! *F4+4<0F! =0<*+204+! 45! 24F0*,67! N-497*<2H! 'G02! =4*2! +4,!<*6+! 6!

-*=:F,04+!,4!,G*!*F4+4<0F!-*67<.!9:,!,G*!6U6-*+*22!,G6,!=055*-*+,!54-<2!45!4NN-*2204+.!9*20=*2!45!G610+;!

=02,0+F,01*!5*6,:-*2.!F6++4,!9*!F4+20=*-*=!62!:+<*=06,*=!6+=!6-*! 70+Z*=!93!,G*!24F0*,67!F4+,*R,! 0+!UG0FG!

,G*3!,6Z*!N76F*H!'G:2!N42,<4=*-+!6NN-46FG*2!,G6,!=4!+4,!,6Z*!0+,4!F4+20=*-6,04+!,G*!24F0*,67!F4+,*R,.!6+=!

,G*-*54-*!,G*!*F4+4<0F!=0<*+204+!45!F*-,60+!24F0*,67!N-497*<2.!F6++4,!9*!:+=*-2,44=!62!F-0,0F67!,G*4-0*2H!

'G02!<*6+2!,G6,!%!4+73!F4+20=*-!N42,<4=*-+!6NN-46FG*2!62!F-0,0F67!05!,G*3!F4++*F,!,G*0-!6+6732*2!,4!62N*F,2!

45!F7622!6+=!*F4+4<0F!*RN740,6,04+H!]4,!677!N42,<4=*-+!6NN-46FG*2!6-*!F-0,0F67! 0+!,G02!2*+2*!45!,G*!,*-<.!

4+73!24<*!4-!*1*+!5*U!45!,G*<H!X2N*F06773!,G42*!,G6,!;01*!6!2N*F050F!6,,*+,04+!,4!F7622!6+=!Q6-R06+!,G*4-3!

2G4:7=!9*!F4+20=*-*=!62!F-0,0F67H!p4-!*R6<N7*!Q0FG6*7!>6<*2D?6-FP6!6-;:*2! 0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!,G6,!<42,!45!

F4+,*<N4-6-3!q:**-! ,G*4-3! 02!:+F-0,0F67!9*F6:2*! 0,!G62!cF4+202,*+,73! -*202,*=! ,G*!F4+2*q:*+F*2!45!6! ,-:73!

2:92,6+,01*.! ,G4-4:;G! 6+=! 4+;40+;! *+;6;*<*+,!U0,G! ,G*4-0*2! ,G6,! 6-*!<4-*! F*+,-6773! F4+F*+,-6,*=!U0,G!

-6F*!6+=!F7622d![>6<*2D?6-FP6!2001E!21A\H!c%!,G*-*54-*!2:;;*2,!,G6,!6+4,G*-!,62Z!54-!6!F-0,0F67!q:**-!,G*4-3!

2G4:7=!9*!6!-*0+,-4=:F,04+!45!<6,*-06702,!q:*2,04+2!45!F7622!6+=!F6N0,6702<H![h\!'G*!;467!45!6!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!

45!;63!6+=!7*2906+!0=*+,0,3![h\!2G4:7=!9*!,4!*7:F0=6,*!,G42*!F4++*F,04+2!,G6,!*R02,!9*,U**+!F6N0,6702<!6+=!

,G*!-*;:76,04+!45!2*R:670,3d![>6<*2D?6-FP6!2001E!216\H!!

K420,0102<!6+=!N42,<4=*-+02<!6-*!94,G!962*=!4+!,G*!50;:-*!45!0<<6+*+F*!U0,G4:,!,-6+2F*+=*+,672H!

'G*-*!02!6724!,G*!50;:-*!45!,-6+2F*+=*+,672!U0,G4:,!0<<6+*+F*2.!62!54-!*R6<N7*!0+!677!-*70;04:2!6+=!*24,*-0F!

Z+4U7*=;*!,G6,!F760<2!F*-,60+!*R02,*+F*2!,G6,!6-*!+4,!;-4:+=*=!0+!,G*!0<<6+*+F*!45!<6,,*-!4-!0+!N470,0F67!

:,4N062! ,G6,! N-4<02*! ,3N*2! 45! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 6-*! +4,!<6,*-06773! 5*62097*! ;01*+! F*-,60+! 2,6,*2! 45! 24F0*,3! 6+=!

F*-,60+! 2,6,*2!45!=*1*74N<*+,!45! ,G*!N-4=:F,01*! 54-F*2.! ,G*!N470,0F67! 232,*<.!6+=! ,G*!F:7,:-67! 232,*<H!W+!

*R6<N7*! 6-*! ,G*!:,4N06+! 24F06702,2! ,G6,!Q6-R! 6+=!X+;*72! F-0,0F08*=! 0+! ,G*!Communist Manifesto! ! [QXM!#E!

#A2D#9o\H! W! 10697*! 67,*-+6,01*! ,4! 0<<6+*+F*! U0,G4:,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 6+=! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! U0,G4:,!

0<<6+*+F*! 02! 6! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! ,G6,! 02! 962*=! 4+! ,G*! =067*F,0F! 45! 0<<6+*+F*! 6+=! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*.! 0H*H!

0<<6+*+,!,-6+2F*+=*+F*H!

3.3 Critical Theory as Immanent Transcendence

%! 5614:-! 6!+4-<6,01*!Q6-R06+!=*50+0,04+!45!F-0,0q:*.!=*F70+*! ,G*!N420,0102,0F!=*50+0,04+!45!F-0,0q:*!62!

0=*474;0F67.!6+=!2**!N42,<4=*-+!,G4:;G,!4+73!62!F-0,0F67!05!0,!6FZ+4U7*=;*2!,G*!F*+,-67!0<N4-,6+F*!45!F7622!

6+673202H!%,!2G4:7=!G61*!9*F4<*!F7*6-!,G6,!,G*-*!6-*!,G-**!F4<N*,0+;!<6T4-!:+=*-2,6+=0+;2!6+=!=*50+0,04+2!

45!F-0,0q:*!6,!U4-Z!,4=63E!

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2$2!

1H! `*N-*2*+,6,01*2!45! 6!0*1,(,v,1(,%"$*(,*$"*3"%),(,4&'! 6-;:*! ,G6,! 0,! 02! 0<N4-,6+,! ,G6,! *6FG! 0+=010=:67!*+;6;*2!0+!=02F4:-2*.!622*22*2!6-;:<*+,2.!54-<2!G02OG*-!4U+!4N0+04+.!6+=!6-,0F:76,*2!G*-OG02!10*U2H!

%,!U4:7=!9*!U-4+;!6+=!*1*+!=6+;*-4:2!54-!=*<4F-6F3!05! 0+=010=:672!N62201*73!6FF*N,!4N0+04+2H!'G*!

N420,04+2!6-*!2,-0F,73!0+=010=:6702,0F.!62!F6+!9*!2**+!0+!54-<:76,04+2!70Z*E!d&-0,0q:*!<*6+2!,4!*+;6;*!0+!

6!=*96,*.!,4!622*22!,G*!6-;:<*+,2.!6+=!,4!54-<!4+*2!4U+!4N0+04+cH!

2H! 5*1(9*.')$"%),(,4&'!02!67U632!4-0*+,*=!4+!FG677*+;0+;!G0*-6-FG0*2.!0,!=4*2!+4,!6FF*N,!,G*!+4,04+2!45!,-:,G!6+=!49T*F,010,3.!6+=!6-;:*2! 54-! 709*-67!N7:-6702<H!XH;H! 0,! ,3N0F6773!6-;:*2E!c'G*-*! 02!+4!:7,0<6,*!

2,6+=6-=! 45! T:=;0+;! UG6,! 02! ,-:*! 9*F6:2*! 2:FG! 2,6+=6-=2! 6-*! ,G*<2*71*2! 24F06773! F4+2,-:F,*=! 6+=!

2G6N*=! 93! N4U*-! -*76,04+2H! 'G*-*54-*! ,G*-*! 02! +4! 49T*F,01*! 2,6+=6-=! 0+! 24F0*,3.! 4+73! 6! N7:-670,3! 45!

=055*-*+,! <*6+0+;2! 6+=! 0=*+,0,0*2H! %,! 02! ,G*-*54-*! 0<N4-,6+,! ,4! =*F4+2,-:F,! ,-:,G! F760<2.! ,4! 6FF*N,!

4,G*-!4N0+04+2!62!N422097*!6+=!7*;0,0<6,*!4+*2!6+=!54-<:76,*!4+*2!4U+!62!*q:6773!-*624+697*cH!

oH! E+)/,1("%),(,4&'!02!6!2N*F050F!54-<!45!49T*F,01*!Z+4U7*=;*!,G6,!02!6FG0*1*=!93!9*0+;!N6-,067!6+=!+4,!=*+30+;.! 9:,! *+;6;0+;! 0+! 6+=! 2G4U0+;! ,G*! 0+,*-F4++*F,04+! 45! 6F6=*<06! 6+=! N470,0F2H! %,! ,6Z*2! ,G*!

2,6+=N40+,2!45!,G*!4NN-*22*=H!%,!02!FG6-6F,*-08*=!93!+4-<6,01*.!49T*F,01*.!6+=!N470,0F67!2,6+=N40+,2!45!

,G*!2N*6Z*-2.! 0,!2N*6Z2!54-!UG47*!;-4:N2.!+4,! T:2,!54-! 0+=010=:672H!%,!6-;:*2!+4,! T:2,!,G6,!4+*!2G4:7=!

54-<!F*-,60+!4N0+04+2.!9:,!,G6,!,G*-*!6-*!,-:*!6+=!5672*!4N0+04+2!F4--*2N4+=0+;!,4!,-:*!6+=!5672*!2,6,*2!

45! 24F0*,3H! '3N0F6773.! ,*-<2! 70Z*! =4<0+6,04+.! *RN740,6,04+.! F7622.! N4U*-.! 4-! F6N0,6702<! 6-*! :2*=! 62!

+*;6,01*!,*-<2H!W+!0=*67!,3N*!45!2:FG!6!N420,04+!02!,G*!54774U0+;!4+*E!c&-0,0q:*!<*6+2!,4!2**!677!54-<2!

45! =4<0+6,04+! 6+=! *RN740,6,04+! 62! -*N-*2201*! 6+=! ,4! 2,-:;;7*! 6;60+2,! ,G*2*! F4+=0,04+2H! %,! N40+,2!

,4U6-=2!6!2,6,*!45!+4+D=4<0+6,04+.!6!F76227*22!24F0*,3cH!

%+=010=:67! 4N0+04+2! [F4;+0,04+\.! 0+,*-6F,04+! [F4<<:+0F6,04+\.! 6+=! ,-6+254-<6,01*! 6F,04+! [F4D

4N*-6,04+\!F6+!9*!F4+20=*-*=!62!,G-**!0+54-<6,04+67!7*1*72!45!=*50+0+;!F-0,0q:*![,697*!#\H!'G02!:+=*-2,6+=0+;!

02!962*=!4+!,G*!+4,04+!45! 0+54-<6,04+!62!,G-**547=!+*2,*=!N-4F*22!45!F4;+0,04+.!F4<<:+0F6,04+.!6+=!F4D

4N*-6,04+![>45Z0-FG+*-!2002.!p:FG2!200A\H!'G*!,G-**!62N*F,2!45!0+54-<6,04+!54-<!6!,-06=E!p0-2,!,G*-*!02!6+!

0+=010=:67!62N*F,!=*2F-090+;!UG0FG!4N0+04+2!6-*!54-<*=!93!6!N*-24+.!,G*+!,G*-*!02!6+!0+,*-6F,04+.!,G*!6F,4-!

F4<<:+0F6,*2!U0,G!4,G*-2!F4+F*-+0+;!6!2N*F050F!q:*2,04+.! ,G0-=!,G*-*! 02!6F,04+!,G6,!60<2!6,!,-6+254-<0+;!

24F067! -*670,3H! ):FG! ,-6+254-<6,04+2! 6-*! 6;60+! ,G*! 54:+=6,04+! 45! ,G*! 54-<6,04+! 6+=! -*N-4=:F,04+! 45!

4N0+04+2.! 24! ,G6,! 6! =3+6<0F! N-4F*22! 45! F4;+0,04+.! F4<<:+0F6,04+.! 6+=! F4D4N*-6,04+! *<*-;*2H! 'G02!

-*76,04+2G0N!F6+!9*!0+,*-N-*,*=!62!6!=067*F,0F67!>*;*706+!,-06=!45!0=*+,0,3![9*0+;D0+D0,2*75\.!9*0+;D54-D6+4,G*-!

[+*;6,04+\.! 6+=! 9*0+;D0+D6+=D54-D0,2*75! [+*;6,04+! 45! ,G*! +*;6,04+\H! W724! *6FG! 45! ,G*! ,G-**! =0<*+204+2!

[0+=010=:67.! 0+,*-6F,04+.! ,-6+254-<6,04+\! F6+! 9*! -*6=! 62! 6! =067*F,0F67! ,-06=.! 0+!UG0FG! ,G*!Q6-R02,! N420,04+!

2:976,*2!,G*!N420,0102,0F!6+=!,G*!N42,<4=*-+!2,6+=N40+,2H!!

K420,0102<! 02! 1*-3! ;*+*-67H! %,! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! 6+3! 24-,! 45! 4N0+04+.! q:*2,04+0+;.! 6+=! FG6+;*! 02! =*20-697*H!

K42,<4=*-+02<!02!<4-*!2N*F050F.!0,!6-;:*2!54-!6!N7:-670,3!45!4N0+04+2!6+=!0=*+,0,0*2H!Q6-R02<!2:976,*2!,G02!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$o!

F4+,-6=0F,04+! 9*,U**+! ,G*! ;*+*-67! 6+=! ,G*! 2N*F050F! 93! 6-;:0+;! 54-! 6! F4+F-*,*! :+0,3! [2N*F050F\! ,G6,! 02!

F4+20=*-*=!62!6!:+01*-267!+4-<![;*+*-67\H!%,!+4,!T:2,!6-;:*2!54-!6+3!4N0+04+.!q:*2,04+0+;!62Z0+;.!4-!FG6+;*.!

6+=!+4,!54-!6!N7:-670,3.!9:,!54-!6!:+0,3!0+!N7:-670,3!45!677!4NN-*22*=!;-4:N2!6+=!0+=010=:672!,G6,!02!N6-,026+.!

6+,0DF6N0,6702,.! +4+D=4<0+6,01*.! 6+=! -*147:,04+6-3H! Q6-R02,! F-0,0q:*! 02! 6724! 2**+! 62! 0+,*;-6,01*! 54-<! 45!

F-0,0q:*!93!M475;6+;!Y4+u![200o\.!UG4!F4+20=*-2!0,!62!,G*!:+0,3!45!*<N0-0F67![N420,0102,0F\.!0<<6+*+,.!6+=!

+4-<6,01*! F-0,0q:*.! 6+=! 93!WR*7!>4++*,G! [200$\.! UG4! 2**2! 0,! 62! ,G*! :+0,3! 45! +4-<6,01*! [F4+2,-:F,01*\.!

0<<6+*+,![-*F4+2,-:F,01*\!6+=!;*+*674;0F67!F-0,0q:*![=*F4+2,-:F,04+!45!,-:,G2\H!!

" !$.,v,.&+-"*0,$,*$1" !$(')+%(,*$" A)+$13*)9+(,v'"+%(,*$"

5*1,(,v,19" W22*22<*+,!6+=!4N0+04+!

54-<6,04+!

W2Z0+;!q:*2,04+2! &4+2,-:F,01*!FG6+;*!

5*1(9*.')$,19" WFF*N,0+;!6!N7:-670,3!45!

10*U2!6+=!Z+4U7*=;*!62!

7*;0,0<6,*!

t:*2,04+0+;!=4<0+6+,!

10*U2!

r4F67!-*54-<!6+=!0=*+,0,3!

N470,0F2!

E+)/,19" K6-,026+2G0N!54-!,G*!

4NN-*22*=.!=4<0+6,*=.!

6+=!*RN740,*=!

W+,0DF6N0,6702,!N-6R02! `*147:,04+!

A+6-'"FE!W!,3N474;3!45!q:670,0*2!45!,G-**!+4,04+2!45!F-0,0q:*!

>*-*!02!6!=*2F-0N,04+!45!,G*!F6,*;4-0*2!*<N743*=!0+!,G*!,3N474;3E!

!! K420,0102,0F!0+=010=:67!4N0+04+E!'G02!62N*F,!02!6NN70F697*!05!6+!6F,4-!=*2F-09*2!F-0,0q:*!62!,G*!0+=010=:67!

*167:6,04+!45!4,G*-!2,6,*<*+,2!0+!4-=*-!,4!54-<!6!N*-24+67!10*U!6+=!N420,04+!G0<2*75OG*-2*75H!

!! K420,0102,0F!0+,*-6F,04+E!'G02!=0<*+204+!02!;01*+!05!F-0,0q:*!02!=*2F-09*=!62!62Z0+;!q:*2,04+2!,4!4,G*-2!0+!

4-=*-!,4!F76-053!,G*!F4+202,*+F3!45!2,6,*<*+,2H!

!! K420,0102,0F!,-6+254-<6,01*!6F,04+E!'G02!q:670,3!02!N420,01*73!;01*+!05!0,!02!2:;;*2,*=!0+!6!:+0,3!45!6+673202!

,G6,!F-0,0q:*!<:2,!67U632!9*!N420,01*.! 0H*H!<6Z*!2:;;*2,04+2!G4U!,4!0<N-41*!6!20,:6,04+!0<<6+*+,73H!

'G*-*!02!6+!4-0*+,6,04+!4+!=0674;:*.!0<N-41*<*+,2.!6+=!50+=0+;!9*,,*-!247:,04+2H!

!! K42,<4=*-+! 0+=010=:67! 4N0+04+E! K7:-670,3! 45! Z+4U7*=;*! 6+=! 4N0+04+2! 02! 4+*! F*+,-67! 62N*F,! 45!

N42,<4=*-+02,!,G4:;G,H!'G02!6,,0,:=*!02!G*7=!05!0,!02!2,-*22*=!,G6,!0,!02!0<N4-,6+,!,G6,!=055*-*+,!4N0+04+2!

F6+!9*!140F*=!6+=!2G4:7=!9*!-*F4;+08*=!62!7*;0,0<6,*H!

!! K42,<4=*-+! 0+,*-6F,04+E!'G02!+4,04+! 02! 6NN70F697*! 05! F-0,0q:*! 02!=*2F-09*=! 62! FG677*+;0+;! 6:,G4-0,0*2.!

69247:,*!Z+4U7*=;*.!:+01*-26702<.!,G*!+4,04+!45!,-:,G.!4-!=4<0+6+,!4N0+04+2H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$#!

!! K42,<4=*-+! ,-6+254-<6,01*! 6F,04+E!_*20-697*! FG6+;*! 0+! N42,<4=*-+02,! ,G4:;G,! 02! F4+F*01*=! 62! ,G*!

6FZ+4U7*=;*<*+,! 4-! 2,-:;;7*! 54-! 6FZ+4U7*=;*<*+,! 45! ,G*! 0=*+,0,3! 45! F*-,60+! ;-4:N2! 4-! 62! 74F67!

-*54-<!N470,0F2H!%,!02!6!N470,0F2!45!=055*-*+F*!6+=!N7:-670,3H!

!! Q6-R02,! 0+=010=:67!4N0+04+E!'G02!q:670,3!F6+!9*!54:+=!05!6!+4-<6,01*!+4,04+!45!F-0,0q:*!,G6,!2,-*22*2!

N6-,026+2G0N!54-!4NN-*22*=.!=02F-0<0+6,*=.!*RN740,*=.!4-!=4<0+6,*=!;-4:N2!4-!0+=010=:672!02!N-*2*+,H!

!! Q6-R02,!0+,*-6F,04+E!'G02!54-<!45!0+,*-6F,04+!02!N-*2*+,!05!q:*2,04+0+;!6+=!N-6F,0F67!+*;6,04+!0+!,*-<2!

45!F7622!0+,*-*2,2.!0+T:2,0F*.!6+=!560-!24F04D*F4+4<0F!=02,-09:,04+!02!N-*2*+,!0+!6!,*R,H!

!! Q6-R02,!,-6+254-<6,01*!6F,04+E!Q6-R02,!10*U2!G47=!,G6,!,G*!,4,670,3!45!F4+,*<N4-6-3!24F0*,3!+**=2!,4!

9*! 5:+=6<*+,6773! ,-6+254-<*=! [2:976,*=\! 0+! F7622! 2,-:;;7*2! 0+! 4-=*-! ,4! 41*-F4<*! 24F0*,67! N-497*<2!

6+=!*2,69702G!6!T:2,.!560-.!F4D4N*-6,01*.!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!24F0*,3H!

%+!,G*0-!=*96,*!4+!Recognition or Redistribution?![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200o\.!F-0,0F67!,G*4-02,2!]6+F3!p-62*-!

6+=! WR*7! >4++*,G! 94,G! 6-;:*! 54-! ,G*! NG07424NG0F67! N420,04+! 45! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*H! p-62*-!

FG6-6F,*-08*2!,G02!N420,04+!62!2**Z0+;!54-!c6!544,G47=!0+!,G*!24F067!U4-7=!,G6,!20<:7,6+*4:273!N40+,2!9*34+=!

0,d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 202\H! >4++*,G! 2N*6Z2! 45! ,G*! =067*F,0F! 45! 0<<6+*+F*! 6+=! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!2oA\H!>4++*,G![200$E!5$D69\!=02,0+;:02G*2!9*,U**+!6!F4+2,-:F,01*.!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!

F-0,0q:*.!6!-*F4+2,-:F,01*.!0<<6+*+,!F-0,0q:*.!6+=!6!p4:F6:7,06+!;*+*674;0F67!F-0,0q:*H!&-0,0F67!,G*4-3!U4:7=!

F4<90+*! 677! ,G-**! 54-<2H! %+! ,G*! =*96,*! U0,G! p-62*-.! G*! FG6-6F,*-08*2! ,G02! F4<90+6,04+! 62! 0<<6+*+,!

,-6+2F*+=*+F*H!'-6+2F*+=*+F*!c<:2,!9*!6,,6FG*=!,4!6!54-<!45!N-6F,0F*!4-!*RN*-0*+F*!UG0FG!02!4+!,G*!4+*!

G6+=! 0+=02N*+2697*! 54-! 24F067! -*N-4=:F,04+.! 6+=! 4+! ,G*! 4,G*-! G6+=! g! 4U0+;! ,4! 0,2! +4-<6,01*! 2:-N7:2! g!

N40+,2! 9*34+=! 677! ;01*+! 54-<! 45! 24F067! 4-;6+086,04+H! [h\! w,-6+2F*+=*+F*j! 2G4:7=! 9*! 6! N-4N*-,3! 45!

w0<<6+*+F*j! 0,2*75.! 24! ,G6,! ,G*! 56F,0F0,3! 45! 24F067! -*76,04+2! 67U632! F4+,60+2! 6! =0<*+204+! 45! ,-6+2F*+=0+;!

F760<2d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 2##\H! 'G*! =055*-*+F*! 02! ,G6,! p-62*-! 2**2! ,G*! 0<<6+*+,! *7*<*+,! 45!

F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! F6+! ,-6+2F*+=! 0,! 0+! 24F067! <41*<*+,2! ,G6,! *+;6;*! 0+! N470,0F67! 2,-:;;7*2!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!205\.!UG*-*62!>4++*,G!02!1*-3!F-0,0F67!45!+*U!24F067!<41*<*+,2![p-62*-O>4++*,G!

200oE! 11#D125\.! F4+20=*-2! ,G*<! 62! -6,G*-! 6550-<6,01*.! 6+=! 2**2! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 0+! 6+! 49T*F,01*!

<4-670,3!,G6,!2G4:7=!9*!7*;6773!0<N7*<*+,*=!0+!,G*!54-<!45!76U2H!!

p4-!p-62*-.!,G*!4-0*+,6,04+!,4U6-=2!24F067!<41*<*+,2!02!6!F*+,-67!62N*F,!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3E!cW!F-0,0F67!

24F067! ,G*4-3! 5-6<*2! 0,2! -*2*6-FG! N-4;-6<! 6+=! 0,2! F4+F*N,:67! 5-6<*U4-Z! U0,G! 6+! *3*! ,4! ,G*! 60<2! 6+=!

6F,010,0*2! 45! ,G42*! 4NN420,04+67! 24F067! <41*<*+,2! U0,G! UG0FG! 0,! G62! 6! N6-,026+! ,G4:;G! +4,! :+F-0,0F67!

0=*+,050F6,04+H! 'G*! q:*2,04+2! 0,! 62Z2! 6+=! ,G*!<4=*72! 0,! =*20;+2! 6-*! 0+54-<*=! 93! ,G6,! 0=*+,050F6,04+! 6+=!

0+,*-*2,H!'G:2.!54-!*R6<N7*.! 05!2,-:;;7*2!F4+,*2,0+;!,G*!2:94-=0+6,04+!45!U4<*+!50;:-*=!6<4+;!,G*!<42,!

20;+050F6+,!45!6!;01*+!6;*.!,G*+!6!F-0,0F67!24F067!,G*4-3!54-!,G6,!,0<*!U4:7=!60<.!6<4+;!4,G*-!,G0+;2.!,4!2G*=!

70;G,! 4+! ,G*! FG6-6F,*-! 6+=! 962*=! 45! 2:FG! 2:94-=0+6,04+H! %,! U4:7=! *<N743! F6,*;4-0*2! 6+=! *RN76+6,4-3!

<4=*72!UG0FG!-*1*67*=!-6,G*-!,G6+!4FF7:=*=!-*76,04+2!45!<67*!=4<0+6+F*!6+=!5*<67*!2:94-=0+6,04+H!W+=!0,!

Page 29: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$5!

U4:7=!=*<32,053!62!0=*474;0F67!-0167!6NN-46FG*2!UG0FG!495:2F6,*=!4-!-6,04+6708*=!,G42*!-*76,04+2d![p-62*-!

19A5E! 9$\H!Y:,!UG6,! 05! ,G*!<42,! 20;+050F6+,! 6+=!4+73! 24F067!<41*<*+,!45! 6! ,0<*! 02! 562F02<!6+=! 677! 6+,0D

562F02,!<41*<*+,2!6+=!54-F*2!6-*!F4+,60+*=!4-!G61*!9**+!Z077*=H!)G4:7=!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!,G*+!9*!670;+*=!U0,G!

562F02<!T:2,!9*F6:2*!0,!02!6!N470,0F67!<41*<*+,V!&*-,60+73!+4,H!'G*!*R6<N7*!2G4U2!,G6,!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!+**=2!

,4!9*!697*!,4!<6Z*!N470,0F67!T:=;<*+,2.!*1*+!05!,G*-*!6-*!6,!F*-,60+!<4<*+,2!+4!<41*<*+,2!,G6,!0,!F6+!670;+!

0,2*75!U0,GH!p4-!p-62*-.!2N*F050F6773! ,G*!5*<0+02,!<41*<*+,! 02!45! 0<N4-,6+F*!54-!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H!'G*-*54-*!

2G*! F-0,0F08*2! >69*-<62! 6+=! 6-;:*=! ,G6,! G02! ,G*4-3! 45! F4<<:+0F6,01*! 6F,04+! 02! ;*+=*-D970+=H! c'G*!

2,-:;;7*2! 6+=!U02G*2! 45! F4+,*<N4-6-3!U4<*+! 6-*! +4,! 6=*q:6,*73! F76-050*=! 93! 6! ,G*4-3!UG0FG!=-6U2! ,G*!

9620F! 96,,7*! 70+*! 9*,U**+! 232,*<! 6+=! 705*U4-7=! 0+2,0,:,04+2d! [p-62*-! 19A5E! 1o0\H! >4++*,G! 6-;:*2! ,G6,!

p-62*-j2!2,-4+;!54F:2!4+!;*+=*-!6+=!2*R:670,3!62!*R6<N7*2!F-*6,*2! ,G*! 0<6;*! ,G6,!cF6N0,6702,! 24F0*,0*2!6-*!

<6-Z*=!N-0<6-073!93!24F067!F4+570F,2!=-01*+!93!=*<6+=2!54-!F:7,:-67!-*F4;+0,04+d![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!

120\H!

'G*!N-497*<!54-!p-62*-!02!,G6,!,G*-*!F6+!9*!20,:6,04+2!0+!24F0*,3.!UG*-*!N470,0F67!N-4,*2,!02!54-*2,677*=.!

UG0FG! +4+*,G*7*22! -*q:0-*! *22*+,067! F-0,*-06! 54-! T:=;0+;! UG6,! 02! N470,0F6773! -0;G,! 6+=! U-4+;H! p-62*-j2!

6NN-46FG!02!+4+D54:+=6,04+67!6+=!=*4+,474;0F67H!>*-!+*;7*F,!45!622:<0+;!6!2,697*!*,G0F67!-*5*-*+F*!N40+,!

N42*2! ,G*! =6+;*-! 45! -*76,0102<.! *2N*F06773! 0+! 20,:6,04+2! UG*-*! N470,0F67! 4NN420,04+! 02! 54-*2,677*=H! >*-!

-*5*-*+F*!N40+,! 02! N:-*73! =3+6<0F! 6+=!G02,4-0F67H!'G*!N-497*<! 54-!>4++*,G! 02!G02!N:-*! -*706+F*!4+! 76U.!

UG0FG!U077!5607!0+!20,:6,04+2!UG*-*!76U2!6-*!G0;G73!:+T:2,![62!0+!562F02<\.!UG0FG!-*q:0-*2!24F067!<41*<*+,2!

,4!N-4,*2,!6+=!41*-,G-4U!0+2,0,:,04+6708*=!0+T:2,0F*H!'G*!-*247:,04+!45!,G02!=07*<<6!02!,4!6-;:*!54-!*22*+,067!

+4-<2!45! T:=;<*+,!,G6,!F6+!;:0=*!,G0+Z0+;!6+=!6F,04+!:+=*-!677!24F0*,67!F0-F:<2,6+F*2!6+=!,4!2**!0,!62!6!

5:-,G*-! ,62Z! 45! F-0,0F67! 24F067! ,G*4-3! ,4! ,-3! ,4! 50+=!U632! ,4! N470,0F6773! -*6708*! ,G*2*! +4-<2! 93! F-*6,0+;! 6!

,G*4-3ON-6R02DF4++*F,04+!,G6,!0+1471*2!6!F4<90+*=!*554-,!45!F0107!24F0*,3!6+=!N470,0F67!N6-,0*2H!!

'G6,!<4-672!6-*!N6-,!45!677!0+2,0,:,04+2!02!+4,!*+4:;G!6+!6-;:<*+,!54-!2630+;!,G6,!,G*3!6-*!N-0<6-3!0+!

24F0*,3H! p4-!>4++*,G.! F4+2F04:2+*22! =*,*-<0+*2! 9*0+;H! W7*R!_*<0-410F! [200o6E! 1o\! F-0,0F08*2! ,G6,! U0,G!

>69*-<62.!UG4!02!>4++*,Gj2!<42,!0<N4-,6+,!0+57:*+F*.!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!G62!2,-4+;73!,:-+*=!5-4<!6!F-0,0q:*!

45!24F0*,67!,4,670,3!0+,4!6!<4-67!F-0,0q:*H!Y*54-*!4+*!F6+!*RN*-0*+F*!<67-*F4;+0,04+!2:9T*F,01*73.!F4+=0,04+2!

,G6,!G61*!F6:2*=!,G*!20,:6,04+!45!<67-*F4;+0,04+!<:2,!*R02,!6+=!<:2,!G61*!9**+!F-*6,*=H!p-62*-!6-;:*2!,G6,!

c-*F4;+0,04+!<4+02<d!02!970+=!54-!NG*+4<*+6!,G6,!cF6++4,!9*!-*=:F*=!,4!F:7,:-67!2FG*<62!45!*167:6,04+d.!

2:FG! 62! 2:NN73! 6+=! =*<6+=! 45! 7694:-.! N4U*-! -*76,04+2! 9*,U**+! 7694:-! 6+=! F6N0,67.! ,G*! 4:,24:-F0+;! 45!

7694:-.!*,F![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!215\H!'G*-*54-*!,G*-*!U4:7=!*R02,!2,-:;;7*2!41*-!=02,-09:,04+.!UG0FG!6-*!

+4,!2,-:;;7*2!41*-!-*F4;+0,04+![%90=\H!p-62*-!FG6-6F,*-08*2!>4++*,Gj2!6NN-46FG!62!c,-:+F6,*=!F:7,:-6702<d!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!216\H!!

p4-! p-62*-.! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 02! N:-*! 2,-:;;7*.! N:-*73! N470,0F67.! G02,4-0F67.! 6+=! -*76,01*.! 54-!

>4++*,G!0,!02!F:7,:-67!6+=!N23FG474;0F67H!>*!9:07=2!4+!>69*-<62j2!2G05,!5-4<!,G*!54F:2!4+!7694:-!,4!,G*!

54F:2! 4+! 0+,*-6F,04+! 0+! 2:FG! 6! U63! ,G6,! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 9*F4<*2! <4-6702,0F.! F:7,:-67.! 6+=!

Page 30: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$6!

23<9470FH! W+! 67,*-+6,01*! 2,-6,*;3! 02! +4,! ,4! 622:<*! 6! N470,0F67! 4-! 6! N23FG474;0F67! -*5*-*+F*! N40+,! 54-!

0<<6+*+,!,-6+2F*+=*+F*.!9:,!6!24F0*,67!4+*!24!,G6,!24F0*,3!02!F4+20=*-*=!62!N-410=0+;!0,2!4U+!<4-67!167:*2!

6+=! *22*+F*! 6+=! F6+.! 962*=! 4+! G02,4-0F67! F0-F:<2,6+F*2.!<4-*! 4-! 7*22! 6NN-4R0<6,*! 4-! =01*-;*! 5-4<! ,G*!

-*67086,04+!45!,G02!*22*+F*H!):FG!6+!6NN-46FG!,G6,!02!F-:F067!54-!,G*!U-0,0+;2!45!Q6-F:2*!6+=!34:+;DQ6-R.!02!

94,G!2,6,0F!6+=!=3+6<0F.!54:+=6,04+67!6+=!G02,4-0FH!!

Q6-R! 6+=! X+;*72! F4+20=*-*=! <4-672! 62! 0=*474;0*2! ,G6,! ,-3! ,4! 7*;0,0<6,*! -*70;04:2.! *F4+4<0F.! 6+=!

N470,0F67!=4<0+6,04+!6+=!4NN-*2204+!6+=!2*-1*!F7622! 0+,*-*2,2!93!N42,:76,0+;! ,G*!6:,G4-0,3!45!6+!69247:,*!

2:9T*F,H!Q6-R!F4+20=*-*=!-*70;04+!6+=!<4-672!62!4N0:<!45!,G*!N*4N7*!6+=!-0;G,![,G*!=*5*+F*!45!<4-672!0+!

,G*! 54-<! 45! 76U2! 93! ,G*! 2,6,*\! 62! 6! <*FG6+02<! 54-! N-4,*F,0+;! N-016,*! N-4N*-,3H! Q6-R02,2! 70Z*! W+,4+04!

?-6<2F0.!'G*4=4-!MH!W=4-+4.!Q6R!>4-ZG*0<*-.!6+=!r4:02!W7,G:22*-!G61*!5:-,G*-!*7694-6,*=!,G02!62N*F,!

45!Q6-R02<!62!0=*474;3!F-0,0q:*H!Q6-R!6+=!X+;*72!6-;:*!,G6,!<4-672!6-*!6+!*RN-*2204+!45!F4*-F01*!24F0*,0*2!

6+=! ,G6,! <4-670,3! U077! 16+02G! U0,G! ,G*! =026NN*6-6+F*! 45! F7622! 6+,6;4+02<2! 9*F6:2*! ,G*-*! U077! 9*! +4!

5:+=6<*+,67! F4+570F,2! 45! 0+,*-*2,2! ,G6,! G61*! ,4! 9*! 7*;0,0<6,*=! 0=*474;0F6773H!Q4-67! ,G*4-0*2! U4:7=! 9*! 6!

F4+2*q:*+F*! 45! ,G*! *F4+4<0F! F4+=0,04+2! 45! 24F0*,3! 6+=! <4-670,3! F7622! <4-670,3H! 'G*3! 6-;:*! ,G6,! ,G*0-!

6NN-46FG! 02!+4,!6!<4-6702,0F.!9:,!6!2F0*+,050F!4+*!9*F6:2*!,G*3!0=*+,053!,*+=*+F0*2!45!,G*!=*1*74N<*+,!45!

,G*! N-4=:F,01*! 54-F*2! ,G6,! N-4=:F*! ,G*! N4,*+,067! 54-! F4<<:+02<! 62! 6! G0;G*-! 54-<! 45! *R02,*+F*H! 'G*!

67,*-+6,01*!,4!N-*6FG0+;!<4-670,3!G*-*!2**<2!,4!9*!,G*!0=*+,050F6,04+!45!=*,*-<0+02,0F!76U2!45!G02,4-3H!),*1*+!

r:Z*2! [19A5\! G62! N40+,*=! 4:,! ,G6,! ,G*! U-0,0+;2! 45! Q6-R! 6+=! X+;*72! 4+! <4-67! q:*2,04+2! 6-*! N6-6=4R!

9*F6:2*!9*20=*2!,G*!2,-*22!4+!G02,4-0F67!76U2!0+2,*6=!45!<4-672!4+*!F6+!50+=!6!74,!45!<4-67!*RN-*2204+2!,G6,!

F4+=*<+! F6N0,6702<! 62! 4NN-*2201*.! *RN740,6,01*.! 670*+6,0+;.! *2,-6+;0+;.! G*,*-4+4<4:2.! 6+=! N-*2*+,! ,G*!

10204+! 45! 6! 9*,,*-! U4-7=! [c,G*! -*67<! 45! 5-**=4<d\! ,G6,! 02! FG6-6F,*-08*=! 93! U*77D-4:+=*=! 0+=010=:670,3.!

N7:-6702,0F! 6F,010,0*2.! 69:+=6+F*.! ,G*! 69470,04+! 45! G6-=! U4-Z! 6+=! U6;*! 7694:-! =:*! ,4! ,*FG+474;0F67!

N-4=:F,010,3.! ,G*! =026NN*6-6+F*! 45! ,G*! N*-54-<6+F*! N-0+F0N7*! 6+=! *RFG6+;*.! ,G*! 5-**! N-4=:F,04+! 6+=!

=02,-09:,04+!45!;44=2![ch!5-4<!*6FG!6FF4-=0+;!,4!G02!69070,3.!,4!*6FG!6FF4-=0+;!,4!G02!+**=2!hd\.!6+=!5-**!

,0<*! 54-! 0=7*! 6+=!G0;G*-! 6F,010,3H!'G*! F4+F*N,!45! 5-**=4<! ,G6,!Q6-R! 6+=!X+;*72!N:,! 54-U6-=!q:*2,04+2!

5-**=4<!62!,G*!5-**=4<!of!N-016,*!N-4N*-,3!4U+*-2G0N!0+!<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+!6+=!:+=*-2,6+=2!0,!0+2,*6=!

62! 5-**=4<! from! 2F6-F0,3! 6+=! =4<0+6,04+! 6+=! 62! 6! F4<<:+0,3! 45! 6224F06,*=! 0+=010=:672! ,G6,! N-410=*2!

U*67,G.!2*75D4U+*-2G0N.!2*75D-*67086,04+!45!G:<6+!56F:7,0*2.!6+=!2*75D=*,*-<0+6,04+!54-!677H!'G*3!F4+20=*-*=!

,G*! 94:-;*402! F4+F*N,! 45! 5-**=4<! 62! +6--4U! 6+=! 62! -*=:F0+;! 5-**=4<! ,4! 5-**! ,-6=*.! 5-**!<6-Z*,.! 5-**!

9:30+;.!5-**!U6;*!7694:-.!0H*H!,4!,G*!2NG*-*!45!<4+*3!,G6,!-6=0F6773!F4+2,-60+2!,G*!N-6F,0F67!67,*-+6,01*2!45!

6F,04+H!Y4:-;*402!5-**=4<!U4:7=!<6Z*!,G*!N-4=:F*-2!5-**!5-4<!,G*0-!N-4=:F,!6+=!U4:7=!G*+F*!0+!56F,!9*!

6!54-<!45!:+5-**=4<H!%+!,G02!F4+,*R,!,G*!+4,04+!45!670*+6,04+!6-02*2!6+=!20;+050*2!F4<N:724-3!U6;*!7694:-.!

=02N422*2204+.!6+=!,G*!F-0NN70+;!45!G:<6+!56F:7,0*2H!

X2N*F06773! r*+0+.! '-4,2Z3.! 6+=! ),670+! ,44Z! :N! Q6-Rj2! 6+=! X+;*72j2! F4+F*N,! 45! <4-670,3! 62! F7622!

<4-670,3!6+=!45!24F067!=*1*74N<*+,!62!76U5:7.!N-*D=*,*-<0+*=!N-4F*22H!_*,*-<0+02,!-*6=0+;2!45!Q6-R!6-;:*!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$$!

,G6,! 6! 9*,,*-! 24F0*,3! =4*2! +4,! F4<*! 694:,! 9*F6:2*! 0,! 02! *,G0F6773! T:2,050*=.! 9:,! 9*F6:2*! 0,! 02! F6:26773!

N-4=:F*=H! K6-6=4R0F6773! ,G02! *+=*=! :N! 0+! 6! +*U! <4-670,3! ,G6,! 9*F6<*! 6+! 0=*474;3! ,G6,! 7*;0,0<6,*=! 6+!

4NN-*2201*!-*;0<*![Q6-F:2*!195A.!p:FG2!2005E!1#0D150\H!),670+02<!-*F4=*=!94:-;*402!167:*2! 70Z*!56<073.!

N*-54-<6+F*.!6+=!G6-=!U4-Z!0+!4-=*-!,4!6--01*!6,!6+!67,*-+6,01*!<4-670,3!,G6,!6-;:*=!,G6,!:+=*-!6!)4F06702,!

-:7*! 47=! 167:*2! 2*-1*! G0;G*-! N-0+F0N7*2H!'G*! -*2:7,!U62! 6!<4-67! ,G6,! -*2*<97*=! ,G*!K-4,*2,6+,!X,G0F2! 45!

F6N0,6702<.! 9:,! U62! FG6-6F,*-08*=! 62! )4F06702,! X,G0F2H! 'G*! -*2:7,2! 45! 2:FG! ,G0+Z0+;! U*-*! <4+2,-4:2!

U4-7=10*U2!6+!N470F0*2.!62!*H;H!54-<:76,*=!0+!,G*!19o6!)410*,!&4+2,0,:,04+!93!),670+E!c%+!,G*!/H)H)H`H!U4-Z!

02!6!=:,3!6+=!6!<6,,*-!45!G4+4-!54-!*1*-3!697*D94=0*=!F0,08*+.! 0+!6FF4-=6+F*!U0,G!,G*!N-0+F0N7*E! j>*!UG4!

=4*2!+4,!U4-Z.!+*0,G*-!2G677!G*!*6,jH!'G*!N-0+F0N7*!6NN70*=!0+!,G*!/H)H)H`H!02!,G6,!45!24F06702<E!jp-4<!*6FG!

6FF4-=0+;! ,4! G02! 69070,3.! ,4! *6FG! 6FF4-=0+;! ,4! G02!U4-ZjH! [x12\d!'G*!G:<6+02<!45!Q6-R06+! ,G0+Z0+;! ;4,!

F4<N7*,*73!742,!G*-*H!'G*!4-0;0+67!Q6-R06+!54-<:76,04+!260=E!cp-4<!*6FG!6FF4-=0+;!,4!G02!69070,3.!,4!*6FG!

6FF4-=0+;!,4!G02!+**=2dH!)410*,!X,G0F2!U*-*!962*=!4+!,G*!0=*6!,G6,!N-016,04+2!6+=!=0F,6,4-2G0N!U*-*!+**=*=!

0+!4-=*-!,4!*2,69702G!6!5-**!24F0*,3!6+=!,4!=*1*74N!,G*!N-4=:F,01*!54-F*2H!'G*!0=*6!45!F4<<:+02<!9*F6<*!

6+! 0=*474;3! 6+=! 6! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! 69247:,*! 0=*6! ,G6,! 7*;0,0<6,*=! 6! F4*-F01*! 232,*<! ,G6,! U62! +4,! 677! ,44!

=055*-*+,!5-4<!F6N0,6702,!N-0+F0N7*2!45!=4<0+6,04+H!'G*!0=*6!,G6,!G02,4-3!02!6!76U5:7!N-4F*22!6+=!,G6,!G*+F*!

24F06702<!54774U2!F6N0,6702<!9*F6<*!6+!0=*474;3!,G6,!6774U*=!),670+!,4!N*-2*F:,*!677!F-0,0F2!93!6-;:0+;!,G6,!

,G*!)410*,!232,*<!0+!6+3!54-<!02!6!)4F06702,!24F0*,3!9*F6:2*!0,!02!6!24F067!54-<6,04+!54774U0+;!F6N0,6702<!6+=!

,G6,!6+3!F-0,0F02<!45!,G*!232,*<!02!F4:+,*-D-*147:,04+6-3!6+=!<*6+2!F-0,0q:*!45!)4F06702<!6+=!,4!2:;;*2,!6!

-*,:-+!,4!F6N0,6702<H!

'G*! 67,*-+6,01*! ,4! 6! =*,*-<0+02,! 0+,*-N-*,6,04+! 45! Q6-R! 6+=! X+;*72! 02! ,4! 6FZ+4U7*=;*! 6! F*-,60+!

0<N4-,6+F*!45!<4-670,3!0+!Q6-R02<.!*RN-*22*=!93!,G*!Q6-R06+!F6,*;4-0F!0<N*-6,01*.!6+=!,4!:+=*-2,6+=!0,!62!

6!NG07424NG3!45!N-6R02!,G6,!60<2!6,!,G*!2:976,04+!45!=4<0+6,04+!6+=!*RN740,6,04+!0+!,G*!N-6F,0F*!45!G:<6+!

*<6+F0N6,04+! 6+=! 2*75D4-;6+086,04+H!p4-!>*;*7! ,G*! *22*+F*!45! ,G0+;2!<*6+2! ,G6,! ,G*3!G61*! 5:+=6<*+,67!

FG6-6F,*-02,0F2!6+=!q:670,0*2!62!2:FG!,G6,!5-*q:*+,73!6-*!=055*-*+,!5-4<!,G*0-!6NN*6-6+F*H!'-:,G!54-!>*;*7!02!

,G*! =0-*F,! F4--*2N4+=*+F*! 45! *22*+F*! 6+=! *R02,*+F*.! 4+73! ,-:*! *R02,*+F*! 9*0+;! -*67! 6+=! -*624+697*H! %+!

Q6-R02<.!*2N*F06773!>*-9*-,!Q6-F:2*!G62!,6Z*+!:N!>*;*7j2!+4,04+!45!*22*+F*!6+=!G62!2,-*22*=!,G6,!*22*+F*!

02!F4++*F,*=!,4!N42209070,0*2!6+=!,G6,!6!,-:*!24F0*,3!02!4+*!,G6,!-*6708*2!,G*!N42209070,0*2!,G6,!6-*!*+697*=!93!

0,2!2,-:F,:-67!62N*F,2!2:FG!62!,*FG+474;0F67!54-F*2.!*F4+4<0F!N-4=:F,010,3.!N470,0F67!N4U*-!-*76,04+2.!U4-7=D

10*U2.!*,F![Q6-F:2*!196#6.!196AJ!p:FG2!2005E!20Do$\H!X22*+F*!0+!24F0*,3!02!F4++*F,*=!U0,G!UG6,!G:<6+2!

F4:7=!9*![Q6-F:2*!196A\H!X-+2,!Y74FG![1959\!:,0708*2!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!,G*!4+,474;0F67!F6,*;4-3!45!c+4,!3*,d!

0+!4-=*-! ,4! 20;+053! F4+F-*,*!N4,*+,0672! ,G6,! F6+!9*! -*6708*=.!9:,!G61*!+4,! 3*,!9**+! -*6708*=H!Q6-F:2*!G62!

;01*+!,G*!54774U0+;!=*50+0,04+!45!,G*!*22*+F*!45!<6+!6+=!24F0*,3E!c&4++*F,0+;!6,!0,2!-44,2!,G*!N-497*<!45!

*22*+F*! ,4! 24F067! N-6F,0F*! -*2,-:F,:-*2! ,G*! F4+F*N,! 45! *22*+F*! 0+! 0,2! -*76,04+! ,4! 677! 4,G*-! F4+F*N,2! 93!

4-0*+,0+;!0,!,4U6-=!,G*!*22*+F*!45!manH![h\!>*-*!,G*!F4+F*N,!45!UG6,!F4:7=!9*.!45!0+G*-*+,!N42209070,0*2.!

6Fq:0-*2!6!N-*F02*!<*6+0+;H!MG6,!<6+!F6+!9*!0+!6!;01*+!G02,4-0F67!20,:6,04+!02!=*,*-<0+697*!U0,G!-*;6-=!,4!

,G*! 54774U0+;! 56F,4-2E! ,G*!<*62:-*! 45! F4+,-47! 45! +6,:-67! 6+=! 24F067! N-4=:F,01*! 56F,4-2.! ,G*! 7*1*7! 45! ,G*!

Page 32: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$A!

4-;6+086,04+!45!7694-.!,G*!=*1*74N<*+,!45!+**=2!0+!-*76,04+!,4!N42209070,0*2!54-!,G*0-!5:7507<*+,![*2N*F06773!

,G*! -*76,04+! 45! UG6,! 02! +*F*226-3! 54-! ,G*! -*N-4=:F,04+! 45! 705*! ,4! ,G*! w5-**j! +**=2! 54-! ;-6,050F6,04+! 6+=!

G6NN0+*22.!54-!,G*!w;44=!6+=!,G*!9*6:,05:7j\.!,G*!6160769070,3.!62!<6,*-067!,4!9*!6NN-4N-06,*=.!45!6!U*67,G!45!

F:7,:-67!167:*2! 0+!677!6-*62!45! 705*d![Q6-F:2*!19o$6E!$1\H!MG6,!G:<6+2!F6+!9*!0+!6!;01*+!20,:6,04+!F6+!9*!

=*2F-09*=!UG*+!,6Z0+;!,G*!54774U0+;!56F,4-2!0+,4!6FF4:+,E!,G*!<*62:-*!45!:,07086,04+!45!+6,:-67!6+=!24F067!

N-4=:F,01*! 54-F*2.! ,G*! 4-;6+086,04+67! 2,6,*! 45! U4-Z.! ,G*! =*1*74N<*+,! 45! +**=2! U0,G! -*2N*F,! ,4! ,G*0-!

-*670869070,3![6941*!677!,G*!-*76,04+2G0N!9*,U**+!,G*!-*N-4=:F,04+!45!UG6,!02!+*F*226-3!54-!705*!6+=!,G*!w5-**j!

+**=2! 45! F4+2:<N,04+! 6+=! T43.! 45! ,G*! w9*6:,05:7j! 6+=! ,G*! w;44=j\.! ,G*! 4N:7*+F*! 45! F:7,:-67! 167:*2! 0+! 677!

50*7=2!45!=6073!705*!UG0FG!02!61607697*!62!<6,*-067!,4!9*!6NN-4N-06,*=d![Q6-F:2*!19o$6E!$1.!,-6+276,04+!93!,G*!

6:,G4-\H!p4-!Q6-F:2*.!*,G0F2!02!F4++*F,*=!U0,G!q:*2,04+2!45!UG6,!F6+!6+=!2G4:7=!9*!9*F6:2*!0,!F6+!-*=:F*!

N60+.!<02*-3.! 6+=! 0+T:2,0F*! [Q6-F:2*! 196#6E! 106\! 6+=! :2*! *R02,0+;! -*24:-F*2! 6+=! F6N6F0,0*2! 0+!U632! ,G6,!

26,0253!G:<6+!+**=2!0+!,G*!9*2,!N422097*!U63!6+=!<0+0<08*!G6-=!7694:-![%90=HE!112\H!W!5672*!F4+=0,04+!45!

24F0*,3!4-!6!24F067!232,*<!U4:7=!<*6+!,G6,!0,2!6F,:670,3!6+=!0,2!N4,*+,0670,3!=055*-H!Q6-F:2*!2,-*22*2!,G6,!0+!

F6N0,6702<!4NN-*22*=!G:<6+2!6-*!670*+6,*=!9*F6:2*! ,G*3!6-*!=02N422*22*=!6+=! ,G6,!670*+6,04+!<*6+2! ,G6,!

G:<6+2!6+=!24F0*,3!6-*!670*+6,*=!5-4<!,G*0-!*22*+F*H!'G*!2:976,04+!45!,G*!670*+6,04+!45!7694:-!6+=!<6+!93!

*2,69702G0+;!6!-*67<!45!5-**=4<!<*6+2!,G*+!,G*!-*67086,04+!45!,G*!G:<6+!6+=!24F067!*22*+F*H!S+*!F6+!-*6=!

,G*!U4-Z2! 45!Q6-R! 62! 6! =*F4+2,-:F,04+! 45! 0=*474;3.! ,G*! 0=*+,050F6,04+! 45! N4,*+,0672! ,G6,! 2,-*+;,G*+! ,G*!

-*67086,04+!45!G:<6+!5-**=4<.!6+=!,G*!2:;;*2,04+!,G6,!G:<6+2!2G4:7=!6F,! 0+!U632!,G6,!-*6708*!N4,*+,0672!

,G6,!0+F-*62*!,G*!F4D4N*-6,01*!FG6-6F,*-!45!24F0*,3H!>*-*!94,G!FG6+F*!6+=!+*F*220,3!6-*!0<N4-,6+,E!XR02,0+;!

2,-:F,:-*2.!0H*H!24F067!-*76,04+2!6+=!54-F*2!45!N-4=:F,04+!0+!*F4+4<3.!N470,3.!6+=!F:7,:-*.!=*,*-<0+*!F*-,60+!

N4,*+,0672!45!24F0*,67!=*1*74N<*+,![+*F*220,3\.!,G*!G:<6+!9*0+;!0+!0,2!24F067!N-6F,0F*2!-*6708*2!N4,*+,0672!93!

F-*6,0+;! 6F,:670,3! [FG6+F*\H! p-**=4<!G*-*! 02! 5-**=4<! ,4! F-*6,*! +41*7,3! ,G6,! 02! F4+=0,04+*=! [*+697*=! 6+=!

F4+2,-60+*=\!93!24F0*,67!-*670,3H!Q6-Rj2!U4-Z2!F6+!9*!0+,*-N-*,*=!62!6+!*,G0F2!45!709*-6,04+!6+=!F4D4N*-6,04+!

0+! 24! 56-! 62! ,G*3! 2:;;*2,! ,G6,! G:<6+2! 2G4:7=! 6F,! 0+! U632! ,G6,! 9-0+;! 24F0*,3! F742*-! ,4! ,G*! 76,,*-j2! F4D

4N*-6,01*!*22*+F*H!Q6-Rj2!2,-*22!4+!24F067086,04+![k*-;*2*772FG65,:+;\!2G4U2!,G6,!G*!26U!F4D4N*-6,04+!62!6+!

*22*+,067!24F0*,67!NG*+4<*+4+!6+=!F4+20=*-*=!,G*!-*67<!45!5-**=4<!62!,G*!-*67086,04+!45!,G*!F4D4N*-6,01*!

*22*+F*!45! 24F0*,3H!'G02! 02!UG6,!Q6-R!<*6+2!UG*+!G*!*H;H! 2N*6Z2!45! !c,G*! -*,:-+!45!<6+! 5-4<!-*70;04+.!

56<073.! 2,6,*.! *,FH.! ,4!G02!G:<6+.! 0H*H.! 24F067.! *R02,*+F*c! [QXM!#0E!5o$\.! ,G*!cF4<N7*,*! -*,:-+!45!<6+! ,4!

G0<2*75!62!6!24F067![0H*H.!G:<6+\!9*0+;c![QXM!#0E!5o6\.!c,G*!N420,01*!,-6+2F*+=*+F*!45!N-016,*!N-4N*-,3!62!

G:<6+!2*75D*2,-6+;*<*+,.!6+=!,G*-*54-*!62!,G*!-*67!6NN-4N-06,04+!45!,G*!G:<6+!*22*+F*!93!6+=!54-!<6+c!

[090=HE!5o6\H!p4-!Q6-R.!F4D4N*-6,04+!02!6+!49T*F,01*!N-0+F0N7*!,G6,!-*2:7,2!0+!6!F6,*;4-0F67!0<N*-6,01*!,G6,!0+!

F4+,-62,! ,4!m6+,!2,-*22*2!,G*!+**=!54-!6+! 0+,*;-6,01*!=*<4F-6F3E!Q6-R!6-;:*2!,G6,!F-0,0q:*!*+=2!U0,G!,G*!

0+20;G,! ,G6,!c<6+! 02! ,G*!G0;G*2,!*22*+F*!54-!<6+!D!G*+F*.!U0,G! ,G*!F6,*;4-0F! 0<N*-6,01*! ,4!41*-,G-4U!677!

-*76,04+2!0+!UG0FG!<6+!02!6!=*962*=.!*+2761*=.!696+=4+*=.!=*2N0F697*!*22*+F*c![QXM!#0E!oA5\H!&-0,0q:*!45!

=4<0+6,04+!6+=!0=*474;3!02!,G*!F4+2*q:*+F*!45!,G02!F6,*;4-0F67!0<N*-6,01*H!):FG!6+!0+,*-N-*,6,04+!45!Q6-R!

Page 33: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2$9!

6+=! X+;*72! 2,-*22*2! ,G6,! <4-672! =4! +4,! 56=*! 05! 0+T:2,0F*! 16+02G*2.! 9:,! ,G6,! ,G*-*! 02! 6! N4,*+,067! 54-! ,G*!

*<*-;*+F*!45!6+!67,*-+6,01*!F4D4N*-6,01*!*,G0F2O<4-670,3.!6!c-*6773!G:<6+!<4-670,3d![QXM!#0E!1o2\H!

):FG!6!-*6=0+;!45!,G*!Q6-R06+!U4-Z2! 0<N70*2!,G*!*,G0F2!45!F4D4N*-6,04+H!&4D4N*-6,04+![62!4-0;0+6773!

=*50+*=! 93! Q6-R! 0+!Capital! [QXM! 2oE! o##5.! o505\! 02! 6! ,3N*! 45! 24F067! -*76,04+2G0N! 54-! 6FG0*10+;! 24F067!

0+,*;-6,04+!,G6,!02!=055*-*+,!5-4<!F4<N*,0,04+H!&4D4N*-6,04+!02!6!2N*F050F!,3N*!45!F4<<:+0F6,04+.!0+!UG0FG!

6F,4-2!6FG0*1*!6!2G6-*=!:+=*-2,6+=0+;!45!24F067!NG*+4<*+6.!<6Z*!F4+F*-,*=!:2*!45!-*24:-F*2!24!,G6,!+*U!

232,*<0F!q:670,0*2!*<*-;*.!*+;6;*!0+!<:,:67!7*6-+0+;.!677!6F,4-2!9*+*50,.!6+=!5**7!6,!G4<*!6+=!F4<54-,697*!

0+!,G*!24F067!232,*<!,G6,!,G*3!T40+,73!F4+2,-:F,H!M*!6-;:*!,G6,!F4D4N*-6,04+!0+!,G02!2*+2*!02![4-!6,!7*62,!F6+!

9*!102:6708*=!62!9*0+;\!,G*!highest principle of morality.!0,!02!,G*!54:+=6,04+!45!6+!49T*F,01*!=0<*+204+!45!*,G0F2.!

6! F4D4N*-6,01*! *,G0F2H! W77! G:<6+! 9*0+;2! 2,-01*! 54-! G6NN0+*22.! 24F067! 2*F:-0,3.! 2*75D=*,*-<0+6,04+.! 2*75D

-*67086,04+.!0+F7:204+!0+!24F067!232,*<2!24!,G6,!,G*3!F6+!N6-,0F0N6,*!0+!=*F0204+!N-4F*22*2.!F4D=*20;+0+;!,G*0-!

24F067!232,*<2H!&4<N*,0,04+!<*6+2!,G6,!F*-,60+!0+=010=:672!6+=!;-4:N2!9*+*50,!6,!,G*!*RN*+2*!45!4,G*-2.!0H*H!

,G*-*!02!6+!:+*q:67!6FF*22!,4!2,-:F,:-*2!45!24F067!232,*<2H!'G02!02!,G*!=4<0+6+,!4-;6+086,04+67!2,-:F,:-*!45!

<4=*-+! 24F0*,3.! <4=*-+! 24F0*,3! G*+F*! 02! 6+! *RF7:=0+;! 24F0*,3H! &4D4N*-6,04+! 62! 0,! 02! :+=*-2,44=! G*-*!

0+F7:=*2! N*4N7*! 0+! 24F067! 232,*<2.! 0,! 7*,2! ,G*<! N6-,0F0N6,*! 0+! =*F0204+2! 6+=! *2,69702G*2! 6! <4-*! T:2,!

=02,-09:,04+! 45! 6+=! 6FF*22! ,4! -*24:-F*2H! >*+F*! F4D4N*-6,04+! 02! 6! U63! 45! 6FG0*10+;! 6+=! -*67080+;! 9620F!

G:<6+!+**=2.!F4<N*,0,04+!02!6!U63!45!6FG0*10+;!6+=!-*67080+;!9620F!G:<6+!+**=2!4+73!54-!F*-,60+!;-4:N2!

6+=! *RF7:=0+;! 4,G*-2H! &4D4N*-6,04+! 54-<2! ,G:2! ,G*! *22*+F*! 45! G:<6+! 24F0*,3.! 6+=! ,G6,! F4<N*,0,04+!

670*+6,*2! G:<6+2! 5-4<! ,G*0-! *22*+F*H!S+*! F6+! 0<6;0+*! 6! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 5:+F,04+2! U0,G4:,! F4<N*,0,04+.! 6!

24F0*,3!U0,G4:,!F4<N*,0,04+!02!2,077!6!24F0*,3H!S+*!F6++4,!0<6;0+*!6!24F0*,3!,G6,!5:+F,04+2!U0,G4:,!6!F*-,60+!

=*;-**!45!F4D4N*-6,04+!6+=!24F067!6F,010,3H!W!24F0*,3!U0,G4:,!F4D4N*-6,04+!02!+4,!6!24F0*,3.! 0,! 02!6!2,6,*!45!

N*-<6+*+,!U6-56-*.!*;402<!6+=!<:,:67!=*2,-:F,04+!,G6,!244+*-!4-!76,*-!=*2,-432!677!G:<6+!*R02,*+F*H!%5!F4D

4N*-6,04+!02!,G*!*22*+F*!45!24F0*,3!,G*+!6!,-:73!G:<6+!24F0*,3!02!6!F4D4N*-6,01*!24F0*,3H!p:77!F4D4N*-6,04+!02!

T:2,!6+4,G*-!54-<:76,04+!54-!6!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3H!&4D4N*-6,04+!62!,G*!G0;G*2,!N-0+F0N7*!45!<4-670,3!02!

;-4:+=*=!0+!24F0*,3!6+=!24F067!6F,010,3!0,2*75.!0,!F6+!9*!-6,04+6773!*RN760+*=!U0,G0+!24F0*,3!6+=!+**=!+4,!-*5*-!

,4! 6! G0;G*2,! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! 69247:,*! N-0+F0N7*! 2:FG! 62!?4=! ,G6,! F6++4,! 9*! T:2,050*=!U0,G0+! 24F0*,3H! &4D

4N*-6,01*! *,G0F2! 02! 6! F-0,0q:*! 45! 70+*2! 45! ,G4:;G,! 6+=! 6-;:<*+,2! ,G6,! U6+,! ,4! 6=16+F*! *RF7:204+! 6+=!

G*,*-4+4<3! 0+! 24F0*,3.! 0,! 02! 0+G*-*+,73! F-0,0F67.! 0,! 2:9T*F,2! F4<<4+73! 6FF*N,*=! 0=*62.! F4+1*+,04+2.!

,-6=0,04+2.! N-*T:=0F*2.! 6+=! <3,G2! ,4! F-0,0F67! q:*2,04+0+;H! %,! q:*2,04+2! <60+2,-*6<! 4N0+04+2! 6+=! 140F*2!

67,*-+6,01*2!,4!,G*<!0+!4-=*-!,4!6140=!4+*D=0<*+204+67!,G0+Z0+;!6+=!2,-*+;,G*+!F4<N7*R.!=067*F,0F67.!<:7,0D

=0<*+204+67! ,G0+Z0+;H! &4D4N*-6,04+! 02! ,G*! 0<<6+*+,! *22*+F*! 45! 677! 24F0*,0*2.! 0,! 02! ;-4:+=0+;! G:<6+!

*R02,*+F*H!&4<N*,0,01*! F7622! 24F0*,0*2! *2,-6+;*! 24F0*,3! 5-4<! 0,2! 1*-3! *22*+F*H!'4! ,-6+2F*+=!*2,-6+;*<*+,!

6+=! ,G*! 5672*! 2,6,*! 45! 24F0*,3!<*6+2! ,4! F4+2,0,:,*! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! N470,0F67! N-4T*F,2! ,G6,! 2,-:;;7*! 54-! ,G*!

69470,04+!45!=4<0+6,04+! 24! ,G6,! ,G*! 0<<6+*+,! *22*+F*!45! 24F0*,3! F6+!9*! -*6708*=H!'G02! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 02!

;-4:+=*=!0+!24F0*,3!0,2*75.!0H*H!0+!,G*!F4D4N*-6,04+!N-4F*22!45!G:<6+2H!%,!02!6+!0<<6+*+,!,-6+2F*+=*+F*H!

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2A0!

'G*!+4,04+!45!0<<6+*+,!,-6+2F*+=*+F*!62!,G*!=067*F,0F!45!*22*+F*!6+=!*R02,*+F*!02!962*=!0+!>*;*7j2!

+4,04+!45!,-:,G!6+=!6F,:670,3!62!F4--*2N4+=*+F*!45!*22*+F*!6+=!*R02,*+F*H!cWF,:670,3!02!,G*!:+0,3.!9*F4<*!

0<<*=06,*.!45!*22*+F*!U0,G!*R02,*+F*.!4-!45! 0+U6-=!U0,G!4:,U6-=d! [>*;*7!1Ao0E!x1#2\H!]4,!677!*R02,*+F*!

[)*0+\!02!6F,:67![M0-Z70FGZ*0,\.!4+73!*R02,*+F*!,G6,!02!-*624+697*!F4--*2N4+=2!,4!0,2!*22*+F*!6+=!,G*-*54-*!G62!

9*F4<*!,-:*H!%,!G62!67-*6=3!9**+!<*+,04+*=!,G6,!Q6-R!26U!,G*!76FZ!45!F4+,-47!45!,G*!<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+.!

,G*! 7694:-!N-4F*22.!6+=!,G*!-*2:7,2!45! 7694:-!93!,G*!0<<*=06,*!N-4=:F*-2!62!6+!670*+6,04+!45!24F0*,3!6+=!

G:<6+2!5-4<!,G*0-!*22*+F*H!cX2,-6+;*=!7694:-.!,G*-*54-*.!,:-+2!<6+j2!2N*F0*2D9*0+;!g!94,G!+6,:-*!6+=!G02!

0+,*77*F,:67!2N*F0*2DN4U*-!g!0+,4!6!9*0+;!670*+!,4!G0<!6+=!6!<*6+2!45!G02!0+=010=:67!*R02,*+F*H!%,!*2,-6+;*2!

<6+! 5-4<! G02! 4U+! 94=3.! 5-4<! +6,:-*! 62! 0,! *R02,2! 4:,20=*! G0<.! 5-4<! G02! 2N0-0,:67! *22*+F*.! G02! G:<6+!

*R02,*+F*d![QXM!#0E!51$\H!

S+*! 45! ,G*! 50-2,! F-0,0F67! 2FG476-2! ,G6,! G61*! 2**+! ,G*! 74;0F! 45! *22*+F*! 62! 54:+=6,04+! 45! 0<<6+*+,!

,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 0+! ,G*!20,G!F*+,:-3.!U62!>*-9*-,!Q6-F:2*! [19o2E!5o6\E!c'G*!56F,! 5-4<!UG0FG!,G*!F-0,0q:*!

6+=!,G*!0+,*-N-*,6,04+!2*,!4:,!U62!,G*!670*+6,04+!6+=!*2,-6+;*<*+,!45!,G*!G:<6+!*22*+F*!62!*RN-*22*=!0+!

,G*! 670*+6,04+! 6+=! *2,-6+;*<*+,! 45! 7694-.! 6+=! G*+F*! ,G*! 20,:6,04+! 45! <6+! 0+! ,G*! G02,4-0F67! 56F,0F0,3! 45!

F6N0,6702<H!'G02!56F,!6NN*6-2!62!,G*!,4,67!0+1*-204+!6+=!F4+F*67<*+,!45!UG6,!,G*!F-0,0q:*!G6=!=*50+*=!62!,G*!

*22*+F*!45!<6+!6+=!G:<6+!7694-H![HHH\!`*;6-=0+;!,G*!20,:6,04+!6+=!N-6R02!5-4<!,G*!2,6+N40+,!45!,G*!G02,4-3!

45!<6+w2!*22*+F*!<6Z*2!,G*!6F:,*73!N-6F,0F67!+6,:-*!45!,G*!F-0,0q:*!*1*+!<4-*!,-*+FG6+,!6+=!2G6-NE!,G*!56F,!

,G6,!F6N0,6702,!24F0*,3!F6772!0+,4!q:*2,04+!+4,!4+73!*F4+4<0F!56F,2!6+=!49T*F,2!9:,!,G*!*+,0-*!w*R02,*+F*w!45!

<6+!6+=! wG:<6+! -*670,3w! 02! 54-!Q6-R! ,G*!=*F0201*! T:2,050F6,04+! 54-! ,G*!N-47*,6-06+! -*147:,04+!62! ,4,67! 6+=!

-6=0F67!-*147:,04+.!:+F4+=0,04+6773!*RF7:=0+;!6+3!N6-,067!:NG*6167!4-!w*147:,04+Hw!'G*!T:2,050F6,04+!=4*2!+4,!

70*!4:,20=*!4-!9*G0+=!,G*!F4+F*N,2!45!670*+6,04+!6+=!*2,-6+;*<*+,!D!,G*!T:2,050F6,04+!02!-6,G*-!N-*F02*73!,G02!

670*+6,04+!6+=!*2,-6+;*<*+,!0,2*75cH!

&-6U54-=! Y-4:;G! Q6FNG*-24+2! [19$o\! ,G*4-3! 45! N6-,0F0N6,4-3! =*<4F-6F3! 02! 6724! 962*=! 4+! ,G*!

Q6-R06+! +4,04+! 45! *22*+F*H! >*! F4+20=*-2! ,G*! *22*+F*! 45! G:<6+2! 62! c,G*! F6N6F0,3! 54-! -6,04+67!

:+=*-2,6+=0+;.!54-!<4-67!T:=;*<*+,!6+=!6F,04+.!54-!6*2,G*,0F!F-*6,04+!4-!F4+,*<N76,04+.!54-!,G*!*<4,04+67!

6F,010,0*2! 45! 5-0*+=2G0N! 6+=! 741*.! 6+=.! 24<*,0<*2.! 54-! -*70;04:2! *RN*-0*+F*d! [l! =*1*74N<*+,67! N4U*-J!

Q6FNG*-24+!19$oE!#\H!K6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3!U4:7=!9*! ,G*!-*67086,04+!45!G:<6+!*22*+F*.!UG0FG!U4:7=!

N-*2:NN42*!,G*!2:976,04+!45!N-016,*!N-4N*-,3!6+=!,G*!,*FG+474;0F67!<6R0<086,04+!45!5-**!,0<*H!!

]*R,.! 0,! 2G4:7=! 9*! 2G4-,73! 4:,70+*=! G4U! 4+*! F6+! 6NN73! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 62!

=067*F,0F!45!*22*+F*!6+=!*R02,*+F*!,4!,G*!+4,04+!45!0+54-<6,04+H!

3.4 Critical Information Theory as Immanent Transcendence

)F4,,!r62G![2002\!G62!6-;:*=!,G6,!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!0+!,G*!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3!<:2,!9*!0<<6+*+,!F-0,0q:*!

9*F6:2*! ,G*-*!U4:7=! 9*! +4! 4:,20=*! 2N6F*! 54-! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! F-0,0F67! -*57*F,04+!=:*! ,4! ,G*! 0<<*=06F3! 45!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2A1!

0+54-<6,04+! [,G*! 2N**=!6+=!*NG*<*-670,3!45! 0+54-<6,04+!U4:7=! 7*61*!67<42,!+4! ,0<*! 54-! -*57*F,04+\.! ,G*!

2N6,04,*<N4-67! *R,*+204+! F6:2*=! 93! 0+54-<6,086,04+! 6+=! ;74967086,04+! N-4F*22*2.! ,G*! 16+02G0+;! 45!

94:+=6-0*2!9*,U**+!G:<6+!6+=!+4+DG:<6+!6+=!F:7,:-*!62!U*77!62!9*,U**+!*RFG6+;*!167:*!6+=!:2*!167:*H!

%+54-<6,04+! F-0,0q:*! U4:7=! G61*! ,4! 9*! 6+! 0<<6+*+,! F-0,0q:*! U0,G4:,! ,-6+2F*+=*+,672H! &-0,0q:*! 45!

0+54-<6,04+!U4:7=!9*!0+!0+54-<6,04+!0,2*75.!6+=!0,!U4:7=!9*!<4=*2,!6+=!6724!6550-<6,01*H!!

'G*!6-;:<*+,2!45!6!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!45!0+54-<6,04+.!62!4:,70+*=!,G:2!56-.!N-4F**=!0+!6!=055*-*+,!U63![FNH!

p:FG2!200A\E!%!6-;:*!,G6,!,G*!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3!G62!N4,*+,0672!54-!F4D4N*-6,04+!,G6,!N-410=*!6!54:+=6,04+!

54-!,G*!5:77!-*67086,04+!45!,G*!0<<6+*+,!*22*+F*!45!24F0*,3!g!F4D4N*-6,04+H!&4D4N*-6,04+!02!2**+!62!,G*!1*-3!

*22*+F*! 45! 24F0*,3! [6+! 6-;:<*+,! ,G6,! F6+! 9*! 54:+=! 0+! ,G*! U-0,0+;2! 45! 34:+;DQ6-R.! Q6-F:2*.! 6+=!

Q6FNG*-24+\.! 0,! 02! 6+! 0<<6+*+,! 5*6,:-*! 45! 24F0*,3! 6+=! ,G*! G:<6+! 9*0+;! 62! 2:FG.! 9:,! ,G02! N4,*+,067! 02!

*2,-6+;*=! 0+! <4=*-+! 24F0*,3H! 'G02! 0<<6+*+F*! 02! 0+! F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! 9*F6:2*! ,G*!

*R02,*+F*!45!24F0*,3!02!=055*-*+,!5-4<!0,2!*22*+F*H!'G*!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3!N-4<02*2!6!+*U!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!

2N6F*!g!6!F4D4N*-6,01*!24F0*,3![4-!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3\!g!,G6,!02!0<<6+*+,!0+!24F0*,3!62!2:FG![9:,!+4,!

*R02,*+,! 0+!670*+6,*=!24F0*,0*2\!6+=!N4,*+,06773!6=16+F*=!93! 0+54-<6,04+!6+=! 0+54-<6,04+!,*FG+474;3H!Y:,!

2:FG! 6! 24F0*,3! 02! +4,! -*6FG*=! 6:,4<6,0F6773! 9*F6:2*! ,G*-*! 02! 6+! 6+,6;4+02<! 9*,U**+! F4D4N*-6,04+! 6+=!

F4<N*,0,04+!0<<6+*+,!0+!F6N0,6702<!6+=!G*+F*!6724!0+!,G*!F6N0,6702,!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3!,G6,!,G-*6,*+2!,G*!

N4,*+,0672! 54-! F4D4N*-6,04+H!>*+F*! 54-! *2,69702G0+;! 6+!4:,20=*!45! 6+=!67,*-+6,01*! ,4!;74967! 0+54-<6,04+67!

F6N0,6702<! ,-6+2F*+=*+,67! 2*75D4-;6+080+;! N470,0F67! N-4T*F,2! 6-*! +**=*=! UG0FG! G61*! 67,*-+6,01*! ;4672.!

N-6F,0F*2.! 6+=! 2,-:F,:-*2! 45! 4-;6+086,04+! ,G6,! G4U*1*-! <6Z*! :2*! 45! *R02,0+;! 2,-:F,:-*2! [2:FG! 62!

F4<<:+0F6,04+!,*FG+474;0*2\!0+!4-=*-!,4!,-6+2F*+=!,G*2*!1*-3!2,-:F,:-*2!6+=!F-*6,*!6!+*U!;74967!2N6F*!g!6!

N6-,0F0N6,4-3! =*<4F-6F3H! %+54-<6,04+! N-4=:F*2! N4,*+,0672! ,G6,! :+=*-<0+*! F4<N*,0,04+.! 9:,! 6,! ,G*! 26<*!

,0<*!6724!N-4=:F*!+*U!54-<2!45!=4<0+6,04+!6+=!F4<N*,0,04+H!'G*!NG07424NG0F67!6-;:<*+,!02!962*=!4+!,G*!

74;0F!45!*22*+F*!6+=!4+! ,G*!=067*F,0F!45! 0<<6+*+F*!6+=! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*H!'G*! 70+*!45!6-;:<*+,!622:<*2!6!

54-<67! 0=*+,0,3! 45! 0<<6+*+F*! 6+=! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! U0,G! 24F0*,3! 62! ,G*! 232,*<! 45H! '-6+2F*+=*+F*! 02! +4,!

24<*,G0+;!,G6,!02!*R,*-+6773!;01*+!,4!9*0+;.!9:,!62!0<<6+*+,!*22*+F*![6+=!,G:2!M0-Z70FGZ*0,\!45!,G6,!9*0+;H!

'-6+2F*+=*+,672! 6-*! 24F0*,67! 54-F*2! ,G6,! -*N-*2*+,!+**=2! 6+=! ;4672! ,G6,! 54-<! ,G*! 0<<6+*+F*! *22*+F*!45!

24F0*,3.!9:,!6-*!-*N-*22*=!U0,G0+!,G*!*R02,0+;!6+,6;4+02,0F!,4,670,3!6+=!F6++4,!9*!-*6708*=!U0,G0+!0,H!>*+F*!%!

=4!+4,!6;-**!U0,G!r62G!,G6,!,-6+2F*+=*+,67!F-0,0q:*!6+=!=067*F,0F67!F-0,0q:*![70Z*!,G*!4+*!45!,G*!p-6+Z5:-,!

2FG447\!6-*!4:,=6,*=H!W!=067*F,0F67!5-6<*U4-Z!45!F-0,0q:*!02!+**=*=!54-!:+=*-2,6+=0+;!,G*!0+,*-F4++*F,*=!

4NN4-,:+0,0*2! 6+=! -02Z2! 45! ;74967! 0+54-<6,04+67! F6N0,6702<H! p6F0+;! K6:7! WH! '6374-j2! [2006\! F-0,0q:*! ,G6,!

r62Gj2! 0+54-<6,04+F-0,0q:*! 02!<*=06D=*,*-<0+02,!6+=!-02Z2!9*F4<0+;!:+F-0,0F67!6+=!F4+54-<02,!=:*!,4! ,G*!

76FZ! 45! ,-6+2F*+=*+,672.! r62G! [2006\! +4U! 2**<2! ,4! 6-;:*! 54-! ,G*! =067*F,0F! 45! 0<<6+*+F*! 6+=!

,-6+2F*+=*+F*H!S+*!45!<3!<60+!N40+,2!02!,G6,!=:*!,4!0+54-<6,086,04+.!,G*!=067*F,0F2!45!,G0+Z*-2!70Z*!>*;*7.!

Q6-R.!6+=!Q6-F:2*!;60+!6!+*U!,4N0F670,3!0+!,-6+2N42*=!54-<2H!

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2A2!

W+! *R6<N7*! 54-! F-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! 62! 0<<6+*+,! ,-6+2F*+=*+F*! 02! ,G*! 6+,6;4+02,0F! 54-<!45!

0+54-<6,04+! 0+!F4+,*<N4-6-3!F6N0,6702,!*F4+4<3H!]*U!<*=06!62!2:FG!=4!+4,!G61*!F7*6-DF:,!*55*F,2J! ,G*3!

6-*! 6+,6;4+02,0F6773! 2,-:F,:-*=!6+=!*<9*==*=! 0+,4! ,G*!6+,6;4+02<2!45! F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3H!'G*!6+,6;4+02<!

9*,U**+! F4D4N*-6,04+! 6+=! F4<N*,0,04+! ,G6,! 2G6N*2! <4=*-+! 24F0*,3.! 70<0,2! 2*75D=*,*-<0+6,04+! 6+=!

N6-,0F0N6,04+.!6724!2G6N*2!,G*!,*FG+4D24F067!%+,*-+*,!232,*<H!/+=*-!,G*!F:--*+,!24F0*,67!F4+=0,04+2.!UG0FG!

6-*! FG6-6F,*-08*=! 93! ,G*! F474+086,04+! 45! 24F0*,3! 93! ,G*! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 74;0F! 45! 6FF:<:76,04+.! -02Z2! 6+=!

F4<N*,0,01*!54-F*2!=4<0+6,*!41*-!-*6708*=!4NN4-,:+0,0*2.!F4D4N*-6,04+.!6+=!N6-,0F0N6,04+!4+!,G*!%+,*-+*,H!

'G*! =067*F,0F67! 6+,6;4+02,0F! FG6-6F,*-! 45! 24F067! 6+=! ,*FG+0F67! +*,U4-Z2! 62! <4,4-! 45! F4<N*,0,04+! 6+=!

F44N*-6,04+!0+!0+54-<6,04+67!F6N0,6702<!-*57*F,2!Q6-Rj2!0=*6!,G6,!,G*!N-4=:F,01*!54-F*2!45!F6N0,6702<!6-*!6,!

,G*! 26<*! ,0<*!<*6+2! 45! *RN740,6,04+! 6+=! =4<0+6,04+! 6+=! N-4=:F*! N4,*+,0672! ,G6,! ;4! 9*34+=! 6F,:670,3.!

N40+,! ,4U6-=2! 6! -6=0F6773! ,-6+254-<*=! 24F0*,3.! 6+=! 6+,0F0N6,*! 6! 5:773! F44N*-6,01*!=*20;+!45! ,G*!<*6+2!45!

N-4=:F,04+! [p:FG2! 200A\H! 'G*! N-4=:F,01*! 54-F*2! 45! F4+,*<N4-6-3! F6N0,6702<! 6-*! 4-;6+08*=! 6-4:+=!

0+54-<6,04+67!+*,U4-Z2![p:FG2!200A\H!!

%,! 02!=:*!,4!,G-**!2N*F050F!FG6-6F,*-02,0F2!45!2:FG!2,-:F,:-*2!,G6,!,G*3!F4<*!0+!F4+,-6=0F,04+!U0,G!,G*!

F6N0,6702,! -*76,04+2! 45! N-4=:F,04+! 6+=! 6-*! 6! ;*-<! 54-<! [keimform\! 45! 6! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 02! 962*=! 4+! 5:773!

F44N*-6,01*!6+=!24F06708*=!<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+E!!

1H! %+54-<6,04+! 62! 6! 2,-6,*;0F! *F4+4<0F! -*24:-F*! 02! ;7496773! N-4=:F*=! 6+=!=055:2*=!93!+*,U4-Z2H! %,! 02! 6!

;44=!,G6,!02!G6-=!,4!F4+,-47!0+!20+;7*!N76F*2!4-!93!20+;7*!4U+*-2H!!

2H! %+54-<6,04+! 02! 0+,6+;097*H! %,! F6+! *62073! 9*! F4N0*=.! UG0FG! -*2:7,2! 0+! <:7,0N7*! 4U+*-2G0N2! 6+=! G*+F*!

:+=*-<0+*2!0+=010=:67!N-016,*!N-4N*-,3H!!

oH! 'G*! *22*+F*! 45! +*,U4-Z2! 02! ,G6,! ,G*3! 2,-01*! 54-! *2,69702G0+;! F4++*F,04+2H!]*,U4-Z2! 6-*! 0+! *22*+F*! 6!

+*;6,04+!45!0+=010=:67!4U+*-2G0N!6+=!,G*!6,4<02<!45!F6N0,6702<H!!

%+54-<6,04+67! +*,U4-Z2! 94,G! *R,*+=! 6+=! :+=*-<0+*! F6N0,67! 6FF:<:76,04+H! %+54-<6,04+67! +*,U4-Z2!

6;;-616,*!,G*!F6N0,6702,!F4+,-6=0F,04+!9*,U**+!,G*!F477*F,01*!N-4=:F,04+!6+=!,G*!0+=010=:67!6NN-4N-06,04+!45!

;44=2H!c'G*!F4+,-6=0F,04+!9*,U**+!,G*!;*+*-67!24F067!N4U*-!0+,4!UG0FG!F6N0,67!=*1*74N2.!4+!,G*!4+*!G6+=.!

6+=!,G*!N-016,*!N4U*-!45!,G*!0+=010=:67!F6N0,6702,2!41*-!,G*2*!24F067!F4+=0,04+2!45!N-4=:F,04+.!4+!,G*!4,G*-.!

9*F4<*2!*1*-!<4-*!0--*F4+F07697*.!6+=!3*,!F4+,60+2!,G*!247:,04+!45!,G*!N-497*<.!9*F6:2*!0,!0<N70*2!6,!,G*!

26<*!,0<*!,G*!,-6+254-<6,04+!45!,G*!F4+=0,04+2!45!N-4=:F,04+!0+,4!;*+*-67.!F4<<4+.!24F067.!F4+=0,04+2d!

[QXM!25E!2$#\H!!

]*,U4-Z2! 6-*! 6! <6,*-067! F4+=0,04+! 45! 6! 5-**! 6224F06,04+.! 9:,! ,G*! F44N*-6,01*! +*,U4-Z0+;! 45! ,G*!

-*76,04+2!45!N-4=:F,04+!02!+4,!6+!6:,4<6,0F!-*2:7,!45!+*,U4-Z*=!N-4=:F,01*!54-F*2.!6!,-:*!+*,U4-Z!24F0*,3!

0+!,G*!2*+2*!45!6+!6224F06,04+!45!5-**!6+=!*q:67!N-4=:F*-2![QXM!1AE!62\! 02!24<*,G0+;!,G6,!N*4N7*!<:2,!

2,-:;;7*! 54-! 6+=! ,G6,! ,G*3! F6+! 6FG0*1*! :+=*-! ,G*! ;01*+! F4+=0,04+2! 9:,! ,G6,! F4:7=! 1*-3! U*77! 6724! +*1*-!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2Ao!

*<*-;*! 05! ,G*! =4<0+6+,! -*;0<*! U077! 9*! 2:FF*225:7! 0+! F4+,0+:0+;! 0,2! -*0;+H! ]*,U4-Z2! 6-*! 54-<2! 45!

=*1*74N<*+,!62!U*77!62!5*,,*-2!45!F6N0,6702<J!N6-6NG-620+;!Q6-R!4+*!F6+!263!,G6,!0+54-<6,04+67!F6N0,6702<!

02! 6! N40+,!UG*-*! ,G*!<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+!G61*!9*F4<*!c0+F4<N6,097*!U0,G! ,G*0-! F6N0,6702,! 0+,*;:<*+,d!

[QXM!2oE!$91\H!

'G*!6+,6;4+02,0F!*F4+4<0F!FG6-6F,*-!45!+*,U4-Z!F6N0,6702<!G62! ,U4!F4770=0+;!20=*2.! ,G*!F44N*-6,01*!

4+*!45!,G*!0+54-<6,04+67!;05,!*F4+4<3!6+=!,G*!F4<N*,0,01*!4+*!45!,G*!0+54-<6,04+67!F4<<4=0,3!*F4+4<3H!!

m+4U7*=;*! 02! 0+! ;74967!+*,U4-Z! F6N0,6702<!6! 2,-6,*;0F! *F4+4<0F! -*24:-F*J!N-4N*-,3! 2,-:;;7*2! 0+! ,G*!

0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3!,6Z*!4+!,G*!54-<!45!F4+570F,2!4+!,G*!N:970F!4-!N-4N-0*,6-3!FG6-6F,*-!45!Z+4U7*=;*H!%,2!

N-4=:F,04+! 02! 0+G*-*+,73! 24F067.! F44N*-6,01*.! 6+=! G02,4-0F67H! m+4U7*=;*! 02! 0+! <6+3! F62*2! N-4=:F*=! 93!

0+=010=:672! 0+!6! T40+,!*554-,H!]*U!Z+4U7*=;*!0+F4-N4-6,*2!*6-70*-!54-<2!45!Z+4U7*=;*J!0,! 02!F40+*=!93!,G*!

UG47*!G02,4-3!45!Z+4U7*=;*H!>*+F*.!0,!02!0+!*22*+F*!6!N:970F!;44=!6+=!0,!02!=0550F:7,!,4!6-;:*!,G6,!,G*-*!02!6+!

0+=010=:67!6:,G4-2G0N!,G6,!;-4:+=2! 0+=010=:67!N-4N*-,3!-0;G,2!6+=!F4N3-0;G,2H!?74967!*F4+4<0F!+*,U4-Z2!

6+=!F39*-2N6F*! ,4=63! 5:+F,04+! 62! FG6++*72!45!N-4=:F,04+!6+=!=055:204+!45!Z+4U7*=;*!F4<<4=0,0*2J! ,G*!

6FF:<:76,04+!45!N-450,!93!2*770+;!Z+4U7*=;*!02!7*;6773!;:6-6+,**=!93!0+,*77*F,:67!N-4N*-,3!-0;G,2H!!

%+! 24F0*,3.! 0+54-<6,04+! F6+! 4+73! 9*! N-4=:F*=! T40+,73! 0+! F44N*-6,01*! N-4F*22*2.! +4,! 0+=010=:6773H!

>*+F*.!Q6-R!6-;:*=!,G6,!Z+4U7*=;*!c=*N*+=2!N6-,73!4+!,G*!F4D4N*-6,04+!45!,G*!7010+;.!6+=!N6-,73!4+!,G*!

:,07026,04+!45! ,G*! 7694:-2!45! ,G42*!UG4!G61*!;4+*!9*54-*d! [QXM!25E! 11#\H!MG*+*1*-!+*U! 0+54-<6,04+!

*<*-;*2.! 0,! 0+F4-N4-6,*2! ,G*! UG47*! 24F0*,67! G02,4-3! 45! 0+54-<6,04+.! ,G6,! 02.! 0+54-<6,04+! G62! 6! G02,4-0F67!

FG6-6F,*-H! >*+F*.! 0+54-<6,04+! 0+! *22*+F*! 02! 6! N:970F! ;44=.! 5-**73! 61607697*! ,4! 677H! Y:,! 0+! ;74967!

0+54-<6,04+67!F6N0,6702<.!0+54-<6,04+!G62!9*F4<*!6+!0<N4-,6+,!N-4=:F,01*!54-F*!,G6,!5614:-2!+*U!54-<2!

45! F6N0,67! 6FF:<:76,04+H! %+54-<6,04+! 02! ,4=63! +4,! ,-*6,*=! 62! 6! N:970F! ;44=.! 9:,! -6,G*-! 62! 6! F4<<4=0,3H!

'G*-*!02!6+!6+,6;4+02<!9*,U**+!0+54-<6,04+!62!6!N:970F!;44=!6+=!62!6!F4<<4=0,3H!!

%5!,G*!;-4:+=0+;!5*6,:-*!45!0+54-<6,04+!02!,G6,!0,!02!6!24F067.!G02,4-0F67.!=3+6<0F!;44=.!,G*+!0,2!*22*+F*!

02!0,2!N:970F!FG6-6F,*-H!WFF4-=0+;!,4!>*;*7.!,-:,G!<*6+2!,G*!F4--*2N4+=*+F*!45!*22*+F*!6+=!*R02,*+F*!45!6!

,G0+;H! )4! 962*=! 4+! >*;*7j2! 74;0F! 45! *22*+F*.! 4+*! F6+! 6-;:*! ,G6,! 6+! 0+54-<6,04+! 24F0*,3.! 0+! UG0FG!

0+54-<6,04+! 02! 6! F4<<4=0,3! [0+54-<6,04+67! F6N0,6702<\! 02! 6! 5672*! 0+54-<6,04+! 24F0*,3! 9*F6:2*! 0,! -*2,-0F,2!

6FF*22!6+=! ,-6+254-<2! 0+54-<6,04+!6-,050F06773! 0+,4!6!N-016,*!;44=H!W! ,-:*! 0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3! 0+!F4+,-62,!

,G*+!02!6+!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3.!0+!UG0FG![6<4+;!4,G*-!q:670,0*2\!Z+4U7*=;*!02!61607697*!,4!677!54-!5-**!6+=!02!

F4DN-4=:F*=!0+!F4D4N*-6,04+!N-4F*22*2H!

'G6,!0+54-<6,04+67!F6N0,6702<!02!=4<0+6,*=!93!F4-N4-6,*!0+,*-*2,2!F6+!9*!102:6708*=!93!50;:-*2!70Z*!,G*!

54774U0+;!4+*E!'G*!,4,67!?_K!45!677!5o!W5-0F6+!2,6,*2!U62!1000.91o!907704+2!/)y!0+!200$![=6,6!6FF4-=0+;!,4!

M4-7=!XF4+4<0F!S:,744Z!S+70+*!_6,6962*.!WN-07!200$.!-*,-0*1*=!4+!^:+*!25,G!200$\H!'G*!,4,67!622*,2!45!

,G*!,4N!20R!Z+4U7*=;*!F4-N4-6,04+2![W'('.!k4=654+*.!k*-084+.!_*:,2FG*!'*7*Z4<.!]0NN4+.!'*7*54+0F6J!

Page 38: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2A#!

F67F:76,04+!962*=!4+!F6N0,67! 622*,2.!p4-9*2!2000.!200$!r02,0+;!45!r6-;*2,!&4N4-6,04+2.!Q6-FG!29,G!200$\!

U*-*!11o2.#1!907704+!/)y!0+!200$!6+=!G*+F*!6-*!76-;*-!,G6+!,G*!,4,67!W5-0F6+!?_KH!'G02!2G4U2!,G*!G:;*!

*F4+4<0F!N4U*-!45!Z+4U7*=;*!F4-N4-6,04+2H!m+4U7*=;*!,G6,!02!N-4=:F*=.!,-6+2<0,,*=.!6+=!F4<<:+0F6,*=!

U0,G!,G*!G*7N!45!,*FG+474;0*2!0+57:*+F*2!G:<6+!,G0+Z0+;!6+=!=*F0204+2H!>*+F*.!,G*!*R02,0+;!6;;74<*-6,04+!

45! *F4+4<0F! F6N0,67!93!Z+4U7*=;*! F4-N4-6,04+2!;01*2! ,G*<!6! ,-*<*+=4:2!N4U*-! 54-! 0+57:*+F0+;!G:<6+!

,G0+Z0+;!6+=!=*F0204+2H!'G*3!F4+,-47!=*50+0,04+2!45!-*670,3!6+=!6-*!697*!,4!F-*6,*!4+*D=0<*+204+67!10*U2!45!

-*670,3!,G6,!+*;7*F,!+*;6,04+!6+=!F-0,0q:*!45!=4<0+6+,!10*U2!,G6,!-*N-*2*+,!=4<0+6+,!0+,*-*2,2H!&4-N4-6,*!

N4U*-! 6774U2! ,G*! F4+,-47! 45! U4-7=10*U2.! 7694:-! 6+=! q:670,3! 2,6+=6-=2.!<6-Z*,2.! N470,0F67! N4U*-.! N-0F*2.!

,*FG+474;0F67! 2,6+=6-=2.! 6+=! F4+2:<*-! 9*G6104:-H! K-4N-0*,6-3! <4=*72! ,G6,! 60<! 6,! 6FF:<:76,0+;! F6N0,67!

U0,G!,G*!G*7N!45!<*=06!70Z*!,G*!%+,*-+*,!54-<!,G*!=4<0+6+,!-*670,3!45!0+54-<6,04+67!F6N0,6702<H!

>4U*1*-.! 6+! 67,*-+6,01*! N-4=:F,04+! <4=*7! G62! 9**+! =*1*74N*=! ,G6,! ,4! F*-,60+! =*;-**2! FG677*+;*2!

F6N0,6702<!6+=!2**2!*F4+4<0F!;44=2!+4,!62!N-4N*-,3!,G6,!2G4:7=!9*!0+=010=:6773!N422*22*=!9:,!62!F4<<4+!

;44=2!,4!UG0FG!677!N*4N7*!2G4:7=!G61*!6FF*22!6+=!5-4<!UG0FG!677!2G4:7=!9*+*50,H!'G02!<4=*7!2,-*22*2!4N*+!

Z+4U7*=;*.! 4N*+! 6FF*22.! 6+=! F44N*-6,01*! N-4=:F,04+! 54-<2J! 0,! F6+.! 54-! *R6<N7*.! 9*! 54:+=! 0+! 10-,:67!

F4<<:+0,0*2!70Z*!,G*!5-**!245,U6-*!F4<<:+0,3!,G6,!N-4=:F*2!,G*!r0+:R!4N*-6,0+;!232,*<.!UG0FG!02!5-**73!

6FF*22097*!6+=!,4!UG0FG.!=:*!,4!,G*!5-**!6FF*22!,4!,G*!24:-F*!F4=*!45!0,2!245,U6-*!6NN70F6,04+2.!N*4N7*!F6+!

*62073!F4+,-09:,*H!'G*!4N*+!6FF*22!N-0+F0N7*!G62!-*2:7,*=!0+!;74967!4N*+D24:-F*!N-4=:F,04+!<4=*72!UG*-*!

N*4N7*!F44N*-6,01*73!6+=!147:+,6-073!N-4=:F*!=0;0,67!Z+4U7*=;*!,G6,!:+=*-<0+*2!,G*!N-4N-0*,6-3!FG6-6F,*-!

45!Z+4U7*=;*![05!Z+4U7*=;*!02!5-**!6+=!45!;44=!q:670,3.!UG3!2G4:7=!4+*!FG442*!4,G*-!Z+4U7*=;*!,G6,!02!

*RN*+201*V\H!'G*!4N*+D24:-F*!N-0+F0N7*!G62!6724!9**+!6NN70*=!,4!4,G*-!6-*62.!2:FG!62!4+70+*!*+F3F74N6*=062!

[*H;H!M0Z0N*=06\!6+=!4+70+*!T4:-+6702<![*H;H!%+=3<*=06\H!!

SN*+D24:-F*!245,U6-*!G62!9**+!-*6708*=!<60+73!U0,G0+!N-4T*F,2!2:FG!62!,G*!r0+:R!4N*-6,0+;!232,*<H!

)N*F067! 70F*+2*2! [,*-<*=! copy-left\! 2:FG!62! ,G*!?]/!N:970F! 70F*+2*!G61*!9**+!=*1*74N*=! 54-!622:-0+;! ,G6,!

5-**!245,U6-*!G62!6+!4N*+!6FF*22!,4!0,2!24:-F*!F4=*H!p-**!245,U6-*!G6-=73!30*7=2!*F4+4<0F!N-450,J!0,!02!5-**73!

61607697*! 4+! ,G*! %+,*-+*,! 6+=! F4+2,0,:,*2! 6+! 67,*-+6,01*!<4=*7! 45! N-4=:F,04+! ,G6,! q:*2,04+2! N-4N-0*,6-3!

N-4=:F,04+!<4=*72H!!

_0;0,086,04+!6774U2!,G*!*623!F4N30+;!45!Z+4U7*=;*!2:FG!62!,*R,2.!<:20F.!0<6;*2.!245,U6-*.!6+=!10=*42H!

'G*!%+,*-+*,!*+697*2!,G*!562,!6+=!5-**!;74967!=02,-09:,04+!45!Z+4U7*=;*!U0,G!,G*!G*7N!45!,*FG+474;0*2!2:FG!

62! N**-D,4DN**-D+*,U4-Z2! []6N2,*-.! W:=04;676R3.!m6z6W.!m6z6W! r0,*.! r0<*M0-*.!Q4-NG*:2.! X=4+Z*3.!

M0+Q{.! 0Q*2G.! Y*6-2G6-*.! Y7:92,*-.! )4:7)**Z.! Y0,'4--*+,.! S1*-+*,.! '46=+4=*.! ?-4Z2,*-.! *,FH\H! 'G*!

0+54-<6,04+67!F4+,*+,!F6+!9*!2,4-*=!4+!=055*-*+,!NG320F67!F6--0*-2J!,G*!N422*2204+!45!=0;0,67!0+54-<6,04+!93!

4+*!N*-24+!=4*2!+4,!0<N73!,G*!+4+N422*2204+!45!0,!93!4,G*-2H!`*F4-=0+;!%+=:2,-3!W224F06,04+!45!W<*-0F6!

[`%WW\!2:*2!4N*-6,4-2!45!2:FG!+*,U4-Z!6NN70F6,04+2.!9:,!UG*+*1*-!4+*!4N*-6,4-!G62!9**+!54-F*=!,4!q:0,!

0,2! 2*-10F*2.! 4,G*-2! G61*! *<*-;*=H! 'G02! 2G4U2! ,G6,! 0+54-<6,04+! 6+=! 0+54-<6,04+67! +*,U4-Z2! 70Z*! ,G*!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2A5!

%+,*-+*,!6-*!G6-=!,4!F4+,-47!6+=!6-*!*<9*==*=!0+,4!24F067!2,-:;;7*2!4+!,G*!N:970F!4-!N-016,*!FG6-6F,*-!45!

0+54-<6,04+H!!

'U4!N47*2!45!6!=067*F,0F!6-*!+4,!4+73!2*N6-6,*=!6+=!=055*-*+,.! ,G*3!6724!6-*!*+,6+;7*=.!<*2G*=.!6+=!

*+F-46FG!*6FG!4,G*-! [>478!2005\H! %+! ,G*!F62*!45!;05,2!6+=!F4<<4=0,0*2.! ,G02!<*6+2!,G6,! ,G*!;05,! 54-<!02!

2:92:<*=!:+=*-!,G*!F4<<4=0,3!54-<!6+=!F6+!*1*+!9*!:2*=!=0-*F,73!54-!6FG0*10+;!N-450,H!

'G*-*! 02! 6! F4<<4=050*=! %+,*-+*,! *F4+4<3! 6+=! 6! +4+F4<<4=050*=! %+,*-+*,! *F4+4<3H!S+73! ,G42*!

62N*F,2!45!,G*!%+,*-+*,!*F4+4<3!,G6,!6-*!+4+N-450,!;05,2.!,G6,!T:2,!G61*!:2*!167:*!6+=!+4!*RFG6+;*!167:*.!

G*+F*!6-*!N-410=*=!U0,G4:,!F42,2!54-!,G*!:2*-2!6+=!U0,G4:,!2*770+;!6=1*-,02*<*+,!2N6F*.!F6+!9*!F4+20=*-*=!

62! =*F4<<4=050*=! 4-! +4+F4<<4=050*=H! XR6<N7*2! 6-*! 507*D2G6-0+;! N76,54-<2.! M0Z0N*=06.! r0+:R.! 6+=!

%+=3<*=06H!&4<<4=050*=!%+,*-+*,!2N6F*2!6-*!67U632!N-450,!4-0*+,*=.!9:,! ,G*!;44=2!,G*3!N-410=*!6-*!+4,!

+*F*226-073! *RFG6+;*! 167:*2! 6+=! <6-Z*,! 4-0*+,*=J! 0+! 24<*! F62*2! [2:FG! 62! ?44;7*.! e6G44.! Q3)N6F*.!

e4:':9*.!]*,2F6N*\.! 5-**! ;44=2!4-!N76,54-<2! 6-*!N-410=*=! 62! ;05,2! 0+!4-=*-! ,4!=-01*!:N! ,G*!+:<9*-!45!

:2*-2!24!,G6,!G0;G!6=1*-,02*<*+,!-6,*2!F6+!9*!FG6-;*=!0+!4-=*-!,4!6FG0*1*!N-450,H!%+!4,G*-!F62*2.!=0;0,67!4-!

+4+=0;0,67!;44=2!6-*!247=!U0,G!,G*!G*7N!45!,G*!%+,*-+*,![*H;H.!W<684+\.!4-!*RFG6+;*!45!;44=2!02!<*=06,*=!

6+=!FG6-;*=!54-![4+70+*!<6-Z*,N76F*2!2:FG!62!*Y63!4-!,G*!W<684+!Q6-Z*,N76F*\H!%+!6+3!45!,G*2*!F62*2!,G*!

N-0<6-3!4-0*+,6,04+!45!2:FG!2N6F*2!02!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+.!,G6,!02.!,G*!<6,*-067!0+,*-*2,!45!6FG0*10+;!<4+*3!

N-450,.!6!2:-N7:2!,4!,G*!0+1*2,*=!F6N0,67H!!

%+! ,G*! *6-73! NG62*! 45! ,G*!M4-7=!M0=*!M*9.! N76,54-<2! ,G6,! G61*!N-410=*=! F4+,*+,!U*-*! 0<N4-,6+,!

9:20+*22!<4=*72H!Q6+3!+*U!2,4FZ!F4<N6+0*2! 0+! ,G*!6-*62!45! %+,*-+*,! F4+,*+,! 6+=! %+,*-+*,! 2*-10F*2!G6=!

*<*-;*=!20+F*!,G*!<0=D19900*2H!Y3!,G*!3*6-2!2005!6+=!2006.!6FF:<:76,04+!2,-6,*;0*2!-*76,*=!,4!,G*!%+,*-+*,!

G6=!2G05,*=!5-4<!6!N-0<6-3!54F:2!4+! 0+54-<6,04+!,4!6!54F:2!4+!F4<<:+0F6,04+!6+=!F44N*-6,04+![p:FG2!

200A\H!)4<*!2FG476-2!70Z*!,4!=*20;+6,*!,G02!,-6+254-<6,04+!62!*<*-;*+F*!45!c%+,*-+*,!2H0d!6+=!cM*9!2H0d.!

67,G4:;G! ,G*!<60+! 96FZ;-4:+=! 9*G0+=! :20+;! ,G*2*! ,*-<2! 2**<! ,4! 9*!<6-Z*,0+;! 2,-6,*;0*2! 54-! 9442,0+;!

0+1*2,<*+,H!!'G*!<42,!FG6-6F,*-02,0F!*R6<N7*!45!cM*9!2H0d!6-*!24F067!+*,U4-Z0+;!N76,54-<2!70Z*!Q3)N6F*.!

),:=0kz.!4-!p6F*944Z!,G6,!6774U!,G*!4+70+*!<60+,*+6+F*!6+=!*2,69702G<*+,!45!24F067!-*76,04+2G0N2!93!6+!

0+,*;-6,*=!:2*!45!,*FG+474;0*2!70Z*!*D<607.!U*920,*2.!;:*2,!944Z2.!54-:<2.!=0;0,67!10=*42.!4-!=0;0,67!0<6;*2H!

)4! *H;H!Q3)N6F*! 02! 6!M*9! N76,54-<! ,G6,! 6774U2! :2*-2! ,4! ;*+*-6,*! N*-24+67! N-4507*2.! 4+!UG0FG! ,G*3! F6+!

:N746=! N0F,:-*2.! ,*R,.! 10=*42.!<:20F.! 6+=! Z**N! ,G*0-! N*-24+67! 974;2H! %,! +*,U4-Z2! :2*-2!U0,G! 6! 5-0*+=2G0N!

232,*<! [:2*-2! F6+! 6==! 4,G*-2! ,4! ,G*0-! 5-0*+=! 702,! 6+=! N42,! F4<<*+,2! ,4! ,G*0-! 5-0*+=2j! ;:*2,! 944Z2\.!

=02F:2204+!54-:<2.!0+,*-*2,!;-4:N2.!FG6,!-44<2.!6+=!6!<607!5:+F,04+H!!

&4<<*-F067! cM*9! 2H0d! 6NN70F6,04+2! 6-*! ,3N0F6773! 45! +4! FG6-;*! 54-! :2*-2J! ,G*3! ;*+*-6,*! N-450,! 93!

6FG0*10+;! 62! <6+3! :2*-2! 62! N422097*! 93! 455*-0+;! 5-**! 2*-10F*2! 6+=! 2*770+;! 6=1*-,02*<*+,! 2N6F*! ,4! ,G0-=!

N6-,0*2! 6+=! 6==0,04+67! 2*-10F*2! ,4! :2*-2H!'G*!<4-*! :2*-2.! ,G*!<4-*!N-450,.! ,G6,! 02.! ,G*!<4-*! 2*-10F*2! 6-*!

455*-*=! 54-! 5-**.! ,G*!<4-*! N-450,! F6+! 9*! ;*+*-6,*=H!W7,G4:;G! ,G*! N-0+F0N7*! 45! ,G*! ;05,! N40+,2! ,4U6-=2! 6!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2A6!

N42,F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3.! ;05,2! 6-*! ,4=63! 2:92:<*=! :+=*-! F6N0,6702<! 6+=! :2*=! 54-! ;*+*-6,0+;! N-450,! 0+! ,G*!

%+,*-+*,! *F4+4<3H!'G*! %+,*-+*,! ;05,! *F4+4<3!G62! 6! =4:97*! FG6-6F,*-J! 0,! 2:NN4-,2! 6+=! 6,! ,G*! 26<*! ,0<*!

:+=*-<0+*2! 0+54-<6,04+67! F6N0,6702<H! WNN70F6,04+2! 2:FG! 62! 507*D2G6-0+;! 245,U6-*! q:*2,04+! ,G*! 74;0F! 45!

F4<<4=0,0*2.! UG*-*62! N76,54-<2! 2:FG! 62! ?44;7*! 6+=!Q3)N6F*! 6-*! FG6-6F,*-02,0F! 54-! ,G*! F6N0,6702,! ;05,!

*F4+4<3H! %+,*-+*,! 2H0! 02! FG6-6F,*-08*=! 93! ,G02! 6+,6;4+02<! 9*,U**+! 0+54-<6,04+! F4<<4=0,0*2! 6+=!

0+54-<6,04+!;05,2H!

'G*! %+,*-+*,! ;05,! F4<<4=0,3! *F4+4<3! F6+! 9*! -*6=! 62! 6! 2N*F050F! 54-<! 45! UG6,! _67762! )<3,G*!

[19A1O2006\! G62! ,*-<*=! ,G*! 6:=0*+F*! F4<<4=0,3H!>*! 2:;;*2,2! ,G6,! 0+! ,G*! F62*!45!<*=06! 6=1*-,02*<*+,!

<4=*72!,G*!6:=0*+F*!02!247=!62!6!F4<<4=0,3H!cY*F6:2*!6:=0*+F*!N4U*-!02!N-4=:F*=.!247=.!N:-FG62*=!6+=!

F4+2:<*=.!0,!F4<<6+=2!6!N-0F*!6+=!02!6!F4<<4=0,3H![HHH\!e4:!6:=0*+F*!<*<9*-2!F4+,-09:,*!34:-!:+N60=!

U4-Z! ,0<*! 6+=! 0+! *RFG6+;*! 34:! -*F*01*! ,G*! N-4;-6<!<6,*-067! 6+=! ,G*! *RN70F0,! 6=1*-,02*<*+,2c! [)<3,G*!

19A1O2006E! 2oo.! 2oA\H! W:=0*+F*2! U4:7=! U4-Z.! 67,G4:;G! :+N60=.! ,G*! F4+2:<N,04+! 45! ,G*! <622! <*=06!

U4:7=!9*!U4-Z!9*F6:2*!0,!U4:7=!-*2:7,!0+!6!F4<<4=0,3.!G*+F*!0,!U4:7=!N-4=:F*!,G6,!F4<<4=0,3H!W724!,G*!

6:=0*+F*!U4-Z!U4:7=!0+F7:=*!c7*6-+0+;!,4!9:3!;44=2!6+=!,4!2N*+=!,G*0-!0+F4<*!6FF4-=0+;73c.!,G*!=*<6+=!

54-! ,G*! F4+2:<N,04+! 45! ;44=2.! 6+=! ,G*! -*N-4=:F,04+! 45! ,G*0-! 4U+! 7694:-! N4U*-! [)<3,G*! 19A1O2006E!

2#o5\H

M0,G!,G*!-02*!45!:2*-D;*+*-6,*=!F4+,*+,!6+=!5-**!6FF*22!24F067!+*,U4-Z0+;!N76,54-<2!70Z*!Q3)N6F*!4-!

p6F*944Z! 6+=! 4,G*-! 5-**! 6FF*22! N76,54-<2! ,G6,! 30*7=! N-450,! 93! 4+70+*! 6=1*-,02*<*+,.! ,G*! U*9! 2**<2! ,4!

F4<*!F742*!,4!,G*!6FF:<:76,04+!2,-6,*;0*2!*<N743*=!93!F6N0,67!4+!,-6=0,04+67!<622!<*=06!70Z*!'k!4-!-6=04H!

'G*!:2*-2!UG4!;44;7*!=6,6.!:N746=!4-!U6,FG!10=*42!4+!e4:':9*.!:N746=!4-!9-4U2*!N*-24+67! 0<6;*2!4+!

p70FZ-.! 4-! 6FF:<:76,*! 5-0*+=2! U0,G! UG4<! ,G*3! *RFG6+;*! F4+,*+,! 4-! F4<<:+0F6,*! 4+70+*! 4+! 24F067!

+*,U4-Z0+;! N76,54-<2! 70Z*! Q3)N6F*! 4-! p6F*944Z.! F4+2,0,:,*! 6+! 6:=0*+F*! F4<<4=0,3! ,G6,! 02! 247=! ,4!

6=1*-,02*-2H! 'G*! =055*-*+F*! 9*,U**+! ,G*! 6:=0*+F*! F4<<4=0,3! 4+! ,-6=0,04+67! <622! <*=06! 6+=! 4+! ,G*!

%+,*-+*,!02!,G6,!0+!,G*!76,,*-!,G*!:2*-2!6-*!6724!F4+,*+,!N-4=:F*-2.!,G*-*!02!:2*-D;*+*-6,*=!F4+,*+,.!,G*!:2*-2!

*+;6;*!0+!N*-<6+*+,!F-*6,01*!6F,010,3.!F4<<:+0F6,04+.!F4<<:+0,3!9:07=0+;.!6+=!F4+,*+,DN-4=:F,04+H!'G6,!

,G*! :2*-2! 6-*!<4-*! 6F,01*! 4+! ,G*! %+,*-+*,! ,G6+! 0+! ,G*! -*F*N,04+! 45! 'k! 4-! -6=04! F4+,*+,! 02! =:*! ,4! ,G*!

=*F*+,-6708*=!2,-:F,:-*!45!,G*!%+,*-+*,!,G6,!6774U2!<6+3D,4D<6+3!F4<<:+0F6,04+H!_:*!,4!,G*!N*-<6+*+,!

6F,010,3!45!,G*!-*F0N0*+,2!6+=!,G*0-!2,6,:2!62!N-42:<*-2.!%!U4:7=!0+!,G*!F62*!45!,G*!%+,*-+*,!6-;:*!,G6,!,G*!

6:=0*+F*!F4<<4=0,3!02!6!N-42:<*-!F4<<4=0,3H!'G*!F6,*;4-3!45!,G*!N-42:<*-!F4<<4=0,3!=4*2!+4,!20;+053!

6! =*<4F-6,086,04+!45! ,G*!<*=06! ,4U6-=2!N6-,0F0N6,4-3! 232,*<2.! 9:,! ,G*! ,4,67! F4<<4=050F6,04+!45!G:<6+!

F-*6,010,3H!Q:FG!45! ,G*! ,0<*!2N*+,!4+70+*!N-4=:F*2!N-450,! 54-! 76-;*!F4-N4-6,04+2! 70Z*!?44;7*.!]*U2&4-N!

[UG0FG! 4U+2!Q3)N6F*\.! 4-! e6G44! [UG0FG! 4U+2! p70FZ-\H! W=1*-,02*<*+,2! 4+! ,G*! %+,*-+*,! 6-*! 5-*q:*+,73!

N*-24+6708*=H! 'G02! 02! N422097*! 93! 2:-1*0770+;.! 2,4-0+;.! 6+=! 622*220+;! :2*-! 6F,010,0*2! U0,G! ,G*! G*7N! 45!

F4<N:,*-2! 6+=! =6,6962*2H! 'G02! 02! 6+4,G*-! =055*-*+F*! ,4! 'k! 6+=! -6=04.! UG0FG! =:*! ,4! ,G*0-! F*+,-6708*=!

2,-:F,:-*! N-410=*! 7*22! 0+=010=:6708*=! F4+,*+,! 6+=! 6=1*-,02*<*+,2H! Y:,! 6724! 0+! ,G*! 6-*6! 45! ,G*! ,-6=0,04+67!

Page 41: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2A$!

<622!<*=06!4+*!F6+!492*-1*!6!F*-,60+!2G05,!62!*H;H!0+!,G*!F62*!45!N63!N*-!10*U.!,*7*14,0+;2.!,67Z2G4U2.!6+=!

F677D0+!'k!6+=!-6=04!2G4U2H!%+!,G*!F62*!45!,G*!%+,*-+*,!,G*!F4<<4=050F6,04+!45!6:=0*+F*!N6-,0F0N6,04+!02!

*620*-!,4!6FG0*1*!,G6+!4+!4,G*-!<622!<*=06H!'G*!-02*!45!,G*!%+,*-+*,!N-42:<*-!F4<<4=0,3!6724!2G4U2!,G6,!

,G*!10204+2!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-02,2!70Z*!Y*+T6<0+.!Y-*FG,.!4-!X+8*+29*-;*-!45!6+!*<6+F0N6,4-3!<*=06!2,-:F,:-*!

,G6,! *<*-;*2! 5-4<! N-42:<N,04+! G62! ,4=63! 9**+! 2:92:<*=! :+=*-! F6N0,67H! ]*U!<*=06! F*-,60+73! F6--3! 6!

F*-,60+!N4,*+,067!54-!6=16+F0+;!;-622-44,2!24F06702<.!9:,!,G02!N4,*+,067!02!6+,6;4+02,0F6773!*+,6+;7*=!0+,4!,G*!

=4<0+6+,! 2,-:F,:-*2! 6+=! 0,! 02! :+F7*6-! 05! ,G*! F6N0,6702,! 0+,*;:<*+,! F6+! 9*! 2,-0NN*=! 455H! K*-24+6708*=!

6=1*-,02*<*+,!4+!,G*!%+,*-+*,!02!6+!*RN-*2204+!45!,G*!,*+=*+F3!,4U6-=2!UG6,!_*7*:8*![1995\!G62!,*-<*=!

,G*!c24F0*,3!45!F4+,-47c!62!62N*F,!45!F4+,*<N4-6-3!<6-Z*,0+;!6+=!F6N0,6702<!0+!,G*!2*+2*!,G6,!0+=010=:672!

6-*!6F,016,*=!,4!F4+,0+:4:273!N6-,0F0N6,*!0+!6+=!0+,*;-6,*!,G*<2*71*2!0+,4!,G*!2,-:F,:-*2!45!*RN740,6,04+![F5H!

p:FG2!200AE!1#95\.!=:-0+;!62!U*77!62!4:,20=*!45!U6;*!7694:-!,0<*H!!

'G*!<4-*!:2*-2!<6Z*!:2*!45!6=1*-,02*<*+,D962*=!5-**!4+70+*!N76,54-<2!6+=!,G*!<4-*!,0<*!,G*3!2N*+=!

4+70+*!N-4=:F0+;.!F4+2:<0+;.!6+=!*RFG6+;0+;!F4+,*+,.!F4<<:+0F6,0+;!U0,G!4,G*-2.!,G*!G0;G*-!,G*!167:*!45!

,G*!N-42:<*-!F4<<4=0,3!,G*3!N-4=:F*!U077!9*F4<*.!,G*!G0;G*-!,G*!6=1*-,02*<*+,!N-0F*2!U077!-02*.!6+=!,G*!

G0;G*-!,G*!N-450,2!45!,G*!2N*F050F!0+,*-+*,!F4-N4-6,04+2!U077!9*F4<*H!c'G*!N-0F*!,G6,!F4-N4-6,04+2!N63!54-!

6=1*-,020+;! 2N4,2! 4+! N6-,0F:76-! N-4;-6<<*2! 02! =*,*-<0+*=! 93! ,G*! 208*! 6+=! 24F067! F4<N420,04+! 45! ,G*!

6:=0*+F*!0,!6,,-6F,2c![Q:-=4FZ!6+=!?47=0+;!2005E!65\H!

%+!M*9!2H0.!24F067!-*76,04+2G0N2!6-*!F4<<4=050*=H!]4+DF4<<*-F067!+4+DN-450,!4N*+!24:-F*!N76,54-<2!

,G6,! 54F:2! 4+! 24F067! 6+=!N470,0F67! +*,U4-Z0+;!N42*! 6+! 67,*-+6,01*H! )4F067! +*,U4-Z0+;!G62!N42209070,0*2! 54-!

;-4:ND54-<6,04+! 6+=! F4D4N*-6,04+.! 9:,! 0+=010=:6708*=! F4<<:+0F6,04+! 6+=! F4-N4-6,*! 0+,*-*2,2! 2G6N*! 0,2!

=4<0+6+,! 54-<H! 'G*! 24F067! N4,*+,067! ,G6,! *<*-;*2! 5-4<! ,G*2*! 20,*2! F4:7=! 9*! FG6++*77*=! 0+,4! F477*F,01*!

N470,0F67!N-4T*F,2H!

'G*!9620F!9:20+*22!<4=*72!,G6,!=4<0+6,*!,G*!M*9!6-*!,G*!6=1*-,020+;!<4=*7.!2*770+;!2*-10F*2!,4!:2*-2.!

6+=!F4<90+6,04+2!45!,G*!,U4![p:FG2!200A\H!'G6,!,G*!50-2,!<4=*7!02!,G*!=4<0+6+,!4+*!F6+!9*!2**+!5-4<!,G*!

56F,! ,G6,! +0+*! 4:,! 45! ,G*! ,*+!<42,! 6FF*22*=!M*9! N76,54-<2!<6Z*! :2*! 45! 0,! 54-! 6FF:<:76,0+;! F6N0,67E! 1H!

e6G44n.!2H!?44;7*.!oH!e4:':9*.!#H|5H!M0+=4U2!r01*!)*6-FG!6+=!Q0F-4245,!]*,U4-Z![Q)]\.!6H!Q32N6F*.!

AH! p6F*944Z.! 9H! Y74;;*-.! 10H! e6G44! ^6N6+! [=6,6! 5-4<!W7*R6!?74967! '4N! 500! [67*R6HF4<\.! 6FF*22*=! 4+!

W:;:2,!6.!200A\H!'G*!4+73!*RF*N,04+!02!M0Z0N*=06![}$\.!UG0FG!02!+4+DN-450,!4-0*+,*=H!!

p0;:-*!1!2G4U2!,G*!-6N0=!;-4U,G!45!%+,*-+*,!6=1*-,020+;!N-450,2!0+!,G*!/)WH!'G*2*!N-450,2!6<4:+,*=!

,4! 21H2! 907704+! /)y! 0+! 200$.! UG0FG! <6Z*! :N! 11H0~! 45! ,G*! ,4,67! /)! 6=1*-,020+;! N-450,2! [)4:-F*E! %WY!

%+,*-+*,!W=1*-,020+;!`*1*+:*!`*N4-,! 200$\H!'G*!4+70+*! 6=1*-,020+;! N-450,2!U*-*!G0;G*-! ,G6+! ,G*!N-450,2!

<6=*!93!-6=04D!6+=!F697*!'kD6=1*-,020+;!0+!200$!6+=!U*-*!4+73!*RF**=*=!93!N-450,2!0+!+*U2N6N*-D!6+=!'k!

_02,-09:,04+D6=1*-,020+;![%90=H\H!!

Page 42: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2AA!

!

#<=>?<>=".@A>?=BCB<D"6?EFB=C"B<"=G>")/.H"!IIJK+LLJ

0,0

5,0

10,0

15,0

20,0

25,0

2>M?Revenues 0,9071,9204,6218,0877,1346,0107,2679,62612,5416,8721,20

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

!

G,H&)'"BE!%+,*-+*,!W=1*-,020+;!K-450,2!0+!,G*!/)W![_6,6!)4:-F*E!%WY!%+,*-+*,!W=1*-,020+;!`*1*+:*!`*N4-,!200$\!

?010+;!24<*,G0+;!54-!5-**!,4!4,G*-2!02!6+!0=*6!,G6,!,-6+2F*+=2!F6N0,6702<!9*F6:2*!F6N0,6702<!02!962*=!

4+!*RFG6+;*!167:*.! ,G*!*RFG6+;*!45!<4+*3!54-!F4<<4=0,0*2!6+=!F4<<4=0,0*2!54-!<4+*3!24!,G6,!F6N0,67!

F6+! 9*! 6FF:<:76,*=H! XRFG6+;*! +*;6,*2! 5-**=4<.! ;010+;!U0,G4:,! ,6Z0+;H! 'G*-*54-*! ,G*! 4N*+! 6FF*22! 6+=!

4N*+!F4+,*+,!N-0+F0N7*!6+,0F0N6,*2!6!+4+DF4<<4=050*=!24F0*,3.!0+!UG0FG!677!;44=2!6-*!N-410=*=!54-!5-**!=:*!

,4!6!G0;G!N-4=:F,010,3!,G6,!6774U2!,G*!<6R0<086,04+!45!5-**!,0<*H!%+!2:FG!6!24F0*,3.!0+54-<6,04+!6+=!4,G*-!

:2*!167:*2! 6-*!+4! 74+;*-! ,-*6,*=!62! 0+=010=:6708*=!N-016,*!N-4N*-,3.!9:,! 62! F477*F,01*!N-4N*-,3! ,G6,! 02! F4D

4N*-6,01*73! N-4=:F*=H! p4-! Q6-R.! F4<<:+02<! U62! +4,! ,G*! =0F,6,4-2G0N! 45! ,G*! N-47*,6-06+2! [6! NG-62*!

0+,-4=:F*=!93!X+;*72\.!9:,!6!5:773!F4D4N*-6,01*!24F0*,3E!\H!Q6-R!2N*6Z2!45!F4<<:+02<!62!c,G*!F4D4N*-6,01*!

24F0*,3!962*=!4+!F4<<4+!4U+*-2G0N!45!,G*!<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+c![QXM!19E!19\.!0+!UG0FG!c,G*!2N-0+;2!

45!F4D4N*-6,01*!U*67,G!574U!<4-*!69:+=6+,73d![QXM!19E!21\H!'G*!*R6<N7*!45!24F067!+*,U4-Z0+;!N76,54-<2!

6+=! ,G*! 6FF:<:76,04+! 2,-6,*;3! 45! ,G*! %+,*-+*,! ;05,! F4<<4=0,3! *F4+4<3! 2G4U2! ,G6,! ;05,0+;! 6+=! F4D

4N*-6,04+!62!,-6+2F*+=*+F*!=4!+4,!2,6+=!4:,20=*!45!F6N0,6702<.!9:,!G61*!9*F4<*!2:92:<*=!:+=*-!F6N0,6702,!

F4<<4=050F6,04+!<*FG6+02<2H!'G*!1*-3!NG*+4<*+4+!,G6,!;01*2!:2!G4N*!54-!,-6+254-<6,04+!6,!,G*!26<*!

,0<*! 02! F:--*+,73! F4<N7*,*73! 0<<6+*+,! ,4! F6N0,6702<!6+=! 5:+F,04+2! 62! 6FF:<:76,04+!N-0+F0N7*H!'4!;60+! 6!

,-6+2F*+=*+,67!=0<*+204+!,G6,!6774U2!;40+;!9*34+=!F6N0,6702<.! 0+54-<6,04+!;05,2!+**=!,4!9*F4<*!N6-,!45!

N470,0F67!2,-:;;7*2!54-!6!F4<<:+02,.!0H*H!F4D4N*-6,01*.!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3H!

'G*!-*76,04+!45!0<<6+*+F*!6+=!,-6+2F*+=*+F*!02!6!54:+=6,04+67!N-497*<!45!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3H!W+4,G*-!

54:+=6,04+67!N-497*<!02!,G*!-*76,04+!45!962*!6+=!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*H!'G02!022:*!U077!9*!=02F:22*=!+*R,!93!,6Z0+;!

6!744Z!6,!6!=*96,*!9*,U**+!]6+F3!p-62*-!6+=!WR*7!>4++*,GH!

Page 43: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

2A9!

N5"%-1"(17.%1"'$"&1(#/%&#7)%#'$".$("&1*'O$#%#'$P"

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4.1 Fraser and Honneth: The Debate on Redistribution and Recognition as a

Reframing of the Problem of Base and Superstructure in Critical Theory

'G*!q:*2,04+!G4U!*F4+4<3![962*\!6+=!N470,3OF:7,:-*![2:N*-2,-:F,:-*\!6-*!-*76,*=!02!6+!47=!N-497*<!45!

F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H! %,! G62! -*F*+,73! 9**+! -*+*U*=! 93! 6! =*96,*! U0,G0+! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! 4+! ,G*! F6,*;4-0*2! 45!

-*=02,-09:,04+!45!*F4+4<0F!-*24:-F*2!6+=!-*F4;+0,04+!45!F:7,:-67!0=*+,0,0*2!9*,U**+!]6+F3!p-62*-!6+=!WR*7!

>4++*,G![200o\H!'697*2!5!6+=!6!2:<<6-08*!,G*!,U4!6NN-46FG*2H!

Y4,G! p-62*-! 6+=! >4++*,G! q:*2,04+! ,G*! :+F4:N70+;! 45! N470,0F67! =*<6+=2! 54-! ,G*! -*F4;+0,04+! 45!

0=*+,0,0*2!5-4<!=*<6+=2!54-!-*=02,-09:,04+H!!

p4-!p-62*-.!;*+=*-D.!-6F*D.!6+=!F7622D=4<0+6,04+!6-*!,U4D=0<*+204+67!F6,*;4-0*2!,G6,!G61*!*F4+4<0F!

6+=! F:7,:-67! 62N*F,2H! p4-! G*-.! 677! ,G-**! F6,*;4-0*2! 6-*! N-4F*22*2! 45! <67-*F4;+0,04+! 45! 2,6,:2! 6+=!

<67=02,-09:,04+H!cp4-!N-6F,0F67!N:-N42*2.!,G*+.!10-,:6773!677!-*67DU4-7=!6R*2!45!2:94-=0+6,04+!F6+!9*!,-*6,*=!

62!,U4D=0<*+204+67H!k0-,:6773!677!0<N70F6,*!94,G!<67=02,-09:,04+!6+=!<02-*F4;+0,04+!0+!54-<2!UG*-*!*6FG!45!

,G42*! 0+T:2,0F*2! G62! 24<*! 0+=*N*+=*+,! U*0;G,.! UG6,*1*-! 0,2! :7,0<6,*! -44,2H! '4! 9*! 2:-*.! +4,! 677! 6R*2! 45!

2:94-=0+6,04+!6-*!,U4D=0<*+204+67!0+!,G*!26<*!U63.!+4-!,4!,G*!26<*!=*;-**H!)4<*.!2:FG!62!F7622.!,07,!<4-*!

G*61073! ,4U6-=! ,G*! =02,-09:,04+! *+=! 45! ,G*! 2N*F,-:<J! 4,G*-2.! 2:FG! 62! 2*R:670,3.! 0+F70+*! <4-*! ,4! ,G*!

-*F4;+0,04+!*+=J!UG07*!2,077!4,G*-2.!2:FG!62!;*+=*-!6+=!w-6F*.j!F7:2,*-!F742*-!,4!,G*!F*+,*-d![p-62*-O>4++*,G!

200oE!25\H!

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290!

!

I0J')'"*3"I*%,'(< E*)+-"K+-&'1" 5)*6-'91" 5*-,(,%+-"5)*%'11" 5),$%,0-'L1M"*3"E*)+-,(<"

XF4+4<3! _02,-09:,01*!T:2,0F*E!c'G*!

=02,-09:,04+!45!<6,*-067!-*24:-F*2!

<:2,!9*!2:FG!62!,4!*+2:-*!

N6-,0F0N6+,2j!0+=*N*+=*+F*!6+=!

w140F*jH![HH\!%,!N-*F7:=*2!54-<2!6+=!

7*1*72!45!*F4+4<0F!=*N*+=*+F*!

6+=!0+*q:670,3d![o6\H!

&7622!2:94-=0+6,04+E!24F04D*F4+4<0F!

0+*q:670,3!6+=!<67=02,-09:,04+![1o.!19\.!

c24F067!6--6+;*<*+,2!,G6,!0+2,0,:,04+6708*!

=*N-016,04+.!*RN740,6,04+.!6+=!;-422!

=02N6-0,0*2!0+!U*67,G.!0+F4<*.!6+=!7*02:-*!

,0<*.!,G*-*93!=*+30+;!24<*!N*4N7*!,G*!

<*6+2!6+=!4NN4-,:+0,0*2!,4!0+,*-6F,!U0,G!

4,G*-2!62!N**-2d![o6\H!

`*=02,-09:,04+!45!

U*67,GE!F7622!N470,0F2!

&:7,:-*! `*F0N-4F67!-*F4;+0,04+.!2,6,:2!

*q:670,3E!%+2,0,:,04+6708*=!N6,,*-+2!

cF4+2,0,:,*!6F,4-2!62!N**-2.!F6N697*!

45!N6-,0F0N6,0+;!4+!6!N6-,!U0,G!4+*!

6+4,G*-!0+!24F067!705*d!![29\H!

),6,:2!2:94-=0+6,04+E!F:7,:-67!=4<0+6,04+.!

<02-*F4;+0,04+!45!2,6,:2.!=02-*2N*F,!54-!

0=*+,0,0*2![1o.!19\.!c%+2,0,:,04+6708*=!

N6,,*-+2!45!F:7,:-67!167:*!F4+2,0,:,*!24<*!

6F,4-2!62!0+5*-04-.!*RF7:=*=.!UG4773!4,G*-.!

4-!20<N73!0+102097*d![29\H!

`*F4;+0,04+!45!

=055*-*+,!0=*+,0,0*2E!

0=*+,0,3!N470,0F2!

[;*+=*-.!2*R:670,3.!

+6,04+670,3.!*,G+0F0,3.!

-6F*\!

K6-,0F0N6,4-3!N6-0,3E!

cWFF4-=0+;!,4!,G02!+4-<.!

T:2,0F*!-*q:0-*2!24F067!

6--6+;*<*+,2!,G6,!N*-<0,!677!

[6=:7,\!<*<9*-2!45!24F0*,3!,4!

0+,*-6F,!U0,G!4+*!6+4,G*-!62!

N**-2d![o6\H!

A+6-'"NE!]6+F3!p-62*-j2!K*-2N*F,0167!_:6702<![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!FG6N,*-!1\!

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291!

!

I0J')'"*3"I*%,'(<" E*)+-"K+-&'1" 5)*6-'91" 5*-,(,%+-"5)*%'11" 5),$%,0-'L1M"*3"E*)+-,(<"

%+,0<6,*!

-*76,04+2G0N2!

r41*E!

`*F4;+0,04+!45!

+**=2!

_*+067!45!*<4,04+67!

6,,6FG<*+,!4-!

=02-*N*F,!45!6!N*-24+j2!

NG320F67!0+,*;-0,3!

[>4++*,G!1992E!19o.!

190\!

):-N7:2!45!1670=0,3!45!-*F4;+0,04+!45!741*![24F067086,04+\E!

cQ4-67!N-4;-*22!0+!,G*!2NG*-*!45!741*!<0;G,!,G*+!<*6+!6!

2,*ND93D2,*N!*70<0+6,04+!45!,G*!-47*DF70FG�2.!2,*-*4,3N*2.!

6+=!F:7,:-67!62F-0N,04+2!,G6,!2,-:F,:-6773!0<N*=*!6=6N,6,04+!

,4!4,G*-2j!+**=2d![1AA\!

`*F4;+0,04+!45!+**=2.!

*<4,04+67!-*F4;+0,04+.!741*!

r*;67!-*76,04+2! r*;67!*q:670,3E!

`*F4;+0,04+!45!

*q:67!7*;67!

,-*6,<*+,!

),-:F,:-67!*RF7:204+!

5-4<!4-!=*+067!45!,G*!

N422*2204+!45!F*-,60+!

-0;G,2![>4++*,G!1992E!

190.!19#\!

):-N7:2!45!1670=0,3!45!-*F4;+0,04+!45!7*;67!*q:670,3!

[7*;67086,04+\E!c*RN6+=0+;!,G*!N-0+F0N7*!45!*q:67!7*;67!

,-*6,<*+,d![1AA\!

`*F4;+0,04+!45!7*;67!*q:670,3.!

:+01*-26702<!

r694:-! )4F067!*2,**<E!

`*F4;+0,04+!45!

6FG0*1*<*+,2!

_*+067!45!24F067!

6FF*N,6+F*!,G6,!

*+697*2!2*75D*2,**<!

[>4++*,G!1992E!191.!

195\!

):-N7:2!45!1670=0,3!45!-*F4;+0,04+!45!24F067!*2,**<E!Q4-67!

N-4;-*22!0+!,G*!2NG*-*!45!24F067!*2,**<2!<*6+2!c-6=0F6773!

2F-:,0+080+;!,G*!F:7,:-67!F4+2,-:F,04+2!,G6,.!0+!,G*!

0+=:2,-067DF6N0,6702,!N62,.!26U!,4!0,!,G6,!4+73!6!2<677!F0-F7*!45!

6F,010,0*2!U*-*!=02,0+;:02G*=!62!w;60+5:7!*<N743<*+,jd![1AA\

`*F4;+0,04+!45!6FG0*1*<*+,2.!

2470=6-0,3.!23<N6,G3!

A+6-'"OE!WR*7!>4++*,Gj2!]4-<6,01*!Q4+02<![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!FG6N,*-!2\!

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292!

p-62*-!,-*6,2!*F4+4<3!6+=!F:7,:-*.!<67=02,-09:,04+!6+=!<67-*F4;+0,04+.!62!,U4!*q:67!7*1*72!45!24F0*,3!

6+=! =4<0+6,04+H!>*-! N420,04+! 45! N*-2N*F,0167! =:6702<! 2**2! ,G*! ,U4! N47*2! 62! 0<N0+;0+;! 4+! 4+*! 6+4,G*-!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!6#\H!>*-!6NN-46FG!02!6!54-<!45!0+,*-6F,01*!=:6702<.!0+!UG0FG!,U4!NG*+4<*+6!6-*!

6:,4+4<4:2.!9:,! 0+,*-6F,! 0+!F*-,60+!F62*2H! %+!F4+,-62,.! 0+!6!=067*F,0F!-*76,04+2G0N!,U4!NG*+4<*+6!54-<!6!

=055*-*+,06,*=!:+0,3!0+!N7:-670,3.!UG0FG!<*6+2!,G6,!,G*3!+*F*226-073!*+F-46FG!*6FG!4,G*-!6+=!,G6,!,G*-*!02!6!

54-F*! ,G6,! 9*20=*2! ,G*! =055*-*+F*! F-*6,*2! 6! F*-,60+! :+0,3! [FNH! >478! 2005\H! Q3! 2:;;*2,04+! 02! ,4! 2**! ,G*!

*F4+4<3!62!,G*!2NG*-*!45!24F0*,3!,G6,!54-<2!,G02!:+0,3!0+!24F0*,3!6+=!F7622!62!,G*!N-4F*22!,G6,!54-<2!,G02!

:+0,3! 0+! N-4F*22*2! 45! =4<0+6,04+H! XF4+4<3! 6+=! F7622! 6-*! 54:+=6,04+2! 45! 24F0*,3! 6+=! =4<0+6,04+H! %+!

F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3.! 34:!F6+!6F,!4:,20=*!6+=!U0,G4:,!F*-,60+! 54-<2!45!<67-*F4;+0,04+.! 54-!*R6<N7*!93!

0<N7*<*+,0+;! ;*+=*-! N6-0,3! 4-! 6! 505,3D505,3! 2G6-0+;! 45! G4:2*U4-Z! 34:! F6+! 6FG0*1*! ;*+=*-! *q:670,3! 0+!

0+2,0,:,04+2!6+=!G4:2*G47=2!U0,G4:,!G610+;!+*F*226-073!,4!694702G!,G*!F6N0,6702,!232,*<H!W!F6N0,6702,!232,*<!

U0,G4:,!N6,-06-FG3!6+=!-6F02<!02!0+!N-0+F0N7*!0<6;0+697*.!9:,!+4,!4+*!U0,G4:,!F7622H!%+!2:FG!6!232,*<.!<*+!

6+=!U4<*+.!N*4N7*!U0,G!=055*-*+,!2*R:670,0*2!6+=!=055*-*+,!*,G+0F!96FZ;-4:+=!6-*!677!-*F4;+08*=!62!9*0+;!

*q:6773! 167:697*! 54-! 6,,60+0+;! N420,04+2! 62! 4U+*-2.! <6+6;*-2.! 6+=! U4-Z*-2H! 'G*-*! 02! +4! 2,6,:2!

<67-*F4;+0,04+! 962*=! 4+! ;*+=*-.! 2*R:670,3.! 4-! -6F*.! 9:,! F*-,60+73! 6! F7622! *RN740,6,04+! 6+=! F7622!

<67-*F4;+0,04+.! 0+!UG0FG! *RN740,*-2! *+;6;*! *q:6773! 0+! *RN740,0+;! 7694:-H!?*+=*-! 6+=! -6F*! 67U632! G61*! 6!

F7622!62N*F,.!9:,!F7622!*RN740,6,04+![5-*q:*+,73.!9:,\!+4,!67U632!6+=!+4,!+*F*226-073!G62!62N*F,2!45!N6,-06-FG3!

6+=! -6F02<H! 'G*! *F4+4<3! 02! ,G*! 54:+=6,04+! 45! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 54-<2! 6! +*F*226-3.! 9:,! +4,! 6! 2:550F0*+,!

F4+=0,04+!54-! ,G*!*R02,*+F*!45!,G*!N470,0F67!6+=!,G*!F:7,:-67!232,*<H!%,!2*,2! 70<0,2!6+=!*R*-,2!N-*22:-*2!4+!

,G*2*!232,*<2.!UG0FG!5**=!96FZ!4+,4! ,G*!*F4+4<0F! 54:+=6,04+H!Xq:67! -*F4;+0,04+!45!F*-,60+! 0=*+,0,0*2! 02!

F4<N6,097*!U0,G!F7622!*RN740,6,04+H!X2N*F06773!0+!6+!6;*!,G6,!02!=4<0+6,*=!93!,G*!+*4709*-67!0+,*+2050F6,04+!

45! 24F04D*F4+4<0F! 0+*q:670,3! ,G6,! 655*F,2! *1*-!<4-*!N*4N7*.! 0,! 02! 0<N4-,6+,! ,4! 2,-*22! ,G*! 2N*F050F! -47*!45!

F7622! 6+=! ,G*! F6N0,6702,! *F4+4<3! 0+! F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3H! p-62*-! 6-;:*2! 54-! 6! :+0,3! 45! =*<6+=2! 54-!

-*F4;+0,04+! 6+=! -*=02,-09:,04+! 0+! N470,0F67! 2,-:;;7*2! [c+4! -*=02,-09:,04+! U0,G4:,! -*F4;+0,04+d.! c+4!

-*F4;+0,04+!U0,G4:,!-*=02,-09:,04+d.!p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!655\H!'G02!2,-*22!02!0<N4-,6+,.!9:,!+*;7*F,2!,G6,!

-*=02,-09:,04+! <:2,! 67U632! 9*! 6! 54:+=6,04+! 54-! -*F4;+0,04+.! UG*-*62! F:7,:-67! -*F4;+0,04+! 45! =055*-*+,!

0=*+,0,0*2! 02!+4,!67U632!6! 54:+=6,04+!54-! -*=02,-09:,04+.!9:,!F6+!6724!6F,!62!6! 54:+=6,04+!54-!<4-*!24F04D

*F4+4<0F! 0+*q:670,3.!UG0FG!2G4U2!6!F*-,60+!4-=*-!45!167*+F*2H!p-62*-!-*5:2*2! ,4!;-4:+=!G*-!6NN-46FG! 0+!

4+*! ;*+*-67! +4-<6,01*! N-0+F0N7*.! 9:,! U6+,2! ,4! N-410=*! c<:7,0N7*! N40+,2! 45! *+,-3! 0+,4! 24F067! -*670,3d!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!205\H!'G*!N-497*<!U0,G!2:FG!6+!6NN-46FG!02!,G6,!02!*2,69702G*2!6!N7:-670,3!U0,G4:,!

:+0,3H!p-62*-!;01*2!;44=!*R6<N7*2!54-!G4U!F7622!0+5:2*2!-6F02<!6+=!N6,-06-FG3![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!5A.!

6#.!Ao5\.!UG*-*62!,G*!*R6<N7*2!U0,G!UG0FG!2G*!,-0*2!,4!2G4U!,G6,!2*R:67!2:94-=0+6,04+!0<N0+;*2!4+!F7622!

2:94-=0+6,04+!6-*!<:FG!7*22!F4+10+F0+;![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!65.!A#\H!!

WR*7!>4++*,G!0+!<3!4N0+04+!02!-0;G,!0+!N40+,0+;!4:,!,G6,!p-62*-!;01*2!+4!-*624+2!UG3!2G*!F4+F*01*2!

24F0*,3!45!F4+202,0+;!45!*F4+4<3!6+=!F:7,:-*![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!156.!1$9\H!S+*!F4:7=!*2N*F06773!6==!

,G*! N470,0F67! 232,*<! 9*F6:2*! *1*-3=63! N-4F*22*2! +4,! 4+73! F4+202,! 45! *F4+4<0F! N-4=:F,04+! 6+=! F:7,:-67!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

29o!

167:*2.!9:,! 6724!45! ,G*! -*6FG0+;!45!90+=0+;!F477*F,01*!=*F0204+2.!93!UG0FG!677!<*<9*-2!45! F477*F,01*2! 6-*!

655*F,*=H!'4!9*!N-*F02*.!4+*!<:2,!263!,G6,!p-62*-!<*+,04+2!,G*!N42209070,3!45!6!N470,0F67!-*67<!45!24F0*,3!,G6,!

02! F4+5-4+,*=! 93! ,G*! N-497*<! 45! N470,0F67! <6-;0+67086,04+! ,G6,! F6+! 9*! 2471*=! 93! N-4F*22*2! 45!

=*<4F-6,086,04+! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 6A\H! Y:,! 2G*! 4+73! 0+,-4=:F*2! ,G02! 0=*6! *RDN42,! 62! F4+F7:=0+;!

-*57*F,04+.!65,*-!G610+;!0+,-4=:F*=!24F067!,G*4-3!54:+=6,04+2!,G6,!54F:2!4+!*F4+4<3!6+=!F:7,:-*!6+=!UG*-*!

N470,0F67!62N*F,2!6-*!<0220+;H!

p-62*-!6-;:*2!54-!=**N!*F4+4<0F!6+=!F:7,:-67!,-6+254-<6,04+2H!%+!,G*!*F4+4<0F!-*67<.!,G02!U4:7=!9*!

,G*!N*-2N*F,01*!45!24F06702<E!c%+!,4=63j2!+*4709*-67!F70<6,*!*2N*F06773.!0,!02!0<N4-,6+,!,4!-*,60+!,G*!;*+*-67!

0=*6!45! *F4+4<0F! ,-6+254-<6,04+.! *1*+! 05!U*! 6-*! F:--*+,73! :+F*-,60+!45! 0,2!N-*F02*! 0+2,0,:,04+67! F4+,*+,d!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!$5\H!p-62*-j2!F:7,:-67!=*F4+2,-:F,0102<!0+!<3!4N0+04+!02!,44!-6=0F67H!%,!2:;;*2,2!,G6,!

677! 2,6,:2! =02,0+F,04+2! 6-*! c4NN-*2201*! N*-! 2*d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! $6\H! 'G*! =6+;*-! G*-*! 02! ,G6,!

=055*-*+F*!62!2:FG!02!F4+20=*-*=!62!67U632!4NN-*2201*.!6+=!,G6,!,G*!;467!02!+4,!4+73!,4!97:-!,G*!94:+=6-0*2.!

9:,! ,4! *70<0+6,*! ,G*! =055*-*+F*2! 9*,U**+!<*+! 6+=! U4<*+.! G4<42*R:67! 6+=! G*,*-42*R:67.! 6+0<672! 6+=!

G:<6+2.!,*FG+474;3!6+=!G:<6+2!62!02!2:;;*2,*=!*H;H!93!F394-;DN470,0F2.!,G*!6+0<67!709*-6,04+!<41*<*+,.!

4-!6F,4-!+*,U4-Z!,G*4-3H!&*-,60+!=055*-*+F*2!6-*!24:-F*2!45!4NN-*2204+!0+!2,-6,050*=!24F0*,0*2.!9:,!F6+!9*!6!

24:-F*!45!N7*62:-*!0+!6!709*-6,*=!24F0*,3H!'G*!N-497*<!02!+4,!=055*-*+F*!62!2:FG.!9:,!4NN-*2201*!=055*-*+F*H!

X2N*F06773! ,G*!97:--0+;!45! ,G*!94:+=6-0*2!9*,U**+!G:<6+2.! 6+0<672.! 6+=! ,*FG+474;0*2.! 62!:+=*-,6Z*+!93!

F394-;!,G*4-3.!6+0<67! 709*-6,04+!6F,0102,2.!6+=!6F,4-!+*,U4-Z!,G*4-3.! 02!6!=6+;*-4:2!*+=*614:-!9*F6:2*!0,!

-02Z2! -*=:F0+;! G:<6+2! ,4! ,G*! 2,6,:2! 45! 6+0<672! 4-! <6FG0+*2! 0+! 6+! 0+2,-:<*+,67.! 6+,0DG:<6+02,! 6+=!

N4,*+,06773!90474;02,0F!4-!,*FG+4F-6,0F!U63!,G6,!F4:7=!*-*F,!+*U!562F02,!54-<2!45!=4<0+6,04+H!

]6+F3!p-62*-!;-4:+=2!6!N7:-6702,0F!,G*4-3!45!24F0*,3!,G6,!02!<0220+;!6!F*-,60+!2*+2*!54-!:+0,3H!Y:,!2G*!02!

6724! -0;G,! 0+! <3! 4N0+04+! 0+! 6-;:0+;! ,G6,! WR*7! >4++*,G! 6=16+F*2! c6! -*=:F,01*! F:7,:-6702,! 10*U! 45!

=02,-09:,04+d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! o#\H! >4++*,G! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! U0,G! ,G*! *RF*N,04+! 45! >69*-<62! 6+=!

?-6<2F0.! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3! G62! G6=! 6! ,*+=*+F3! ,4! 6+,0D+4-<6,0102<! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 12A5\H! 'G*!

;-*6,*2,! N-497*<! 54-! G:<6+2! U4:7=! 9*! ,G*! cU0,G=-6U67! 45! 24F067! -*F4;+0,04+.! 0+! ,G*! NG*+4<*+6! 45!

G:<0706,04+!6+=!=02-*2N*F,d![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!1o#\H!MG*-*62!p-62*-!U6+,2!,4!962*!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!4+!

,U4!*q:67!=:67!F6,*;4-0*2.!-*=02,-09:,04+!6+=!-*F4;+0,04+.!>4++*,G!744Z2!54-!6!+4-<6,01*!<4+02<!,G6,!02!

962*=!4+!4+*!F*+,-67!F6,*;4-3.!,G*!4+*!45!-*F4;+0,04+H!>*!962*2!G02!,G*4-3!4+!,G*!622:<N,04+!,G6,!G:<6+2!

6-*! N23FG474;0F67! 9*0+;2! ,G6,! 2,-01*! 54-! c2*75DF4+50=*+F*.! 2*75D-*2N*F,.! 6+=! 2*75D*2,**<d! [>4++*,G! 1992E!

196\!6+=!2:55*-!05!,G*3!6-*!=02-*2N*F,*=H!W!<4-67D,G*4-*,0F67!<4+02<!U4:7=!9*!+**=*=!9*F6:2*!c,G*!F*+,-67!

0+2,0,:,04+2! 45! *1*+! F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3! -*q:0-*! -6,04+67! 7*;0,0<6,04+! ,G-4:;G! ;*+*-6708697*! N-0+F0N7*2! 45!

-*F0N-4F67!-*F4;+0,04+.!,G*0-!-*N-4=:F,04+!-*<60+2!=*N*+=*+,!4+!6!96202!45!<4-67!F4+2*+2:2!g!UG0FG!,G:2!

N422*22*2! -*67! N-0<6F3! 102DvD102! 4,G*-! 0+,*;-6,04+! <*FG6+02<2d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 15$\H! >*!

2:9=010=*2! -*F4;+0,04+! 0+,4! ,G-**! 54-<2! [741*.! *q:670,3.! 6FG0*1*<*+,\H! >4++*,G! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! *2N*F06773!

6FG0*1*<*+,! G62! 9**+! N-497*<6,0F! -0;G,! 5-4<! ,G*! 2,6-,! 45! <4=*-+! 24F0*,3! 9*F6:2*! 0,! 02! N6-,! c45! 6+!

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29#!

0+57:*+,067! 0=*474;3! 0+2456-! 62! 0,! 20<N73! *RN-*22*=! ,G*! 4+*D20=*=! 167:*! G4-084+! 45! ,G42*! 24F067! ;-4:N2!

UG0FG.!9*F6:2*! ,G*3!N422*22*=!F6N0,67.!G6=! ,G*!<*6+2!,4! -*4-;6+08*!*F4+4<0F!-*N-4=:F,04+H!'G:2.!UG6,!

w6FG0*1*<*+,j!<*6+2.! 6+=!UG6,!;:6-6+,**2!6! T:2,!=02,-09:,04+!45! -*24:-F*2.!U62!<*62:-*=!-0;G,! 5-4<!,G*!

2,6-,! 6;60+2,! 6+! *167:6,01*! 2,6+=6-=! UG42*! G0;G*2,! -*5*-*+F*! N40+,! U62! 0+1*2,<*+,! 0+! 0+,*77*F,:67!

N-*N6-6,04+!54-!6!2N*F050F!6F,010,3d![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!1#$\H!_02,-09:,04+!2,-:;;7*2!6-*!54-!>4++*,G!c6!

2N*F050F!Z0+=!45!2,-:;;7*!54-!-*F4;+0,04+.!0+!UG0FG!,G*!6NN-4N-06,*!*167:6,04+!45!,G*!24F067!F4+,-09:,04+2!45!

0+=010=:672!4-!;-4:N2!02!F4+,*2,*=d![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!1$1\H!'G*!41*-677!60<!45!24F0*,3!54-!>4++*,G!02!

c*+6970+;!0+=010=:67!2*75D-*67086,04+d![p-62*-O>4++*,G!200oE!1$$\H!!

p4-!>4++*,G.!<4-670,3!02!,G*!54:+=6,04+!45!24F0*,3H!'G02!622:<N,04+!*RN760+2!G02!2,-4+;!*<NG6202!4+!

-*F4;+0,04+H! K-4,*2,! U4:7=! 9*! 962*=! 4+! c<4-67! F4+10F,04+d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 15$\H! p-62*-!

6FF4-=0+;73! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! >4++*,G! 0+576,*2! ,G*! F4+F*N,! 45! -*F4;+0,04+! c9*34+=! 677! -*F4;+0,04+d!

[p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 201\H! )G*! FG6-6F,*-08*2! G02! 6NN-46FG! 62! c<4-67! N23FG474;3! 45! N-*N470,0F67!

2:55*-0+;d! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 202\H! 'G*-*! 6-*! F*-,60+73! 167:*2! 6+=! F4+570F,0+;! 167:*2! 0+! 677! 24F067!

-*76,04+2! 6+=! 2,-:;;7*2H! )4! 54-! *R6<N7*! U4-Z*-2! 2,-0Z0+;! 54-! U6;*! 0+F-*62*2! 4-! 6;60+2,! 763D4552! G61*!

=055*-*+,!167:*2!,G6+!,G*0-!*<N743*-2H!]4+*,G*7*22!,G*!F*+,-67!62N*F,!45!,G*!F4+570F,!02!+4,!,G*!=*50+0,04+!45!

167:*2.!9:,!,G*!=02,-09:,04+!45!<4+*3H!W+!0<<*=06,*!+**=!54-!2:-10167!,G6,!G62!9*F4<*!,G-*6,*+*=!=-01*2!

,G*!N-4,*2,2.!+4,!F4+570F,0+;!167:*!N6,,*-+2.!UG0FG!6-*!6!-*2:7,!45!49T*F,01*!<6,*-067!F4+=0,04+2H!&*-,60+73!677!

0+2,0,:,04+2.!62!6-;:*=!93!>4++*,G.!G61*!<4-67!62N*F,2.!9:,!6724!677!45!,G*<!G61*!*F4+4<0F!62N*F,2.!,G*-*!

6-*!+4!0+2,0,:,04+2!U0,G4:,!-*24:-F*2H!k67:*!N6,,*-+2!=*,*-<0+*!G4U!,G*2*!-*24:-F*2!6-*!=02,-09:,*=.!9:,!0+!

4-=*-!,4!54-<!2:FG!167:*2.!-*24:-F*2!50-2,!+**=!,4!*R02,H!!!

>4++*,G!F-0,0F08*2!p-62*-!54-!G*-!:+;-4:+=*=!622:<N,04+!45!*F4+4<3!6+=!F:7,:-*!62!,G*!,U4!2NG*-*2!

45! 24F0*,3H!Y:,! 0+!G02!4U+!6NN-46FG.!G*! 6724!=4*2!+4,! 6-;:*!UG3!G*!622:<*2! ,G*!*R02,*+F*!45! ,G*! ,G-**!

2NG*-*2!45!N*-24+67! -*76,04+2.! 76U.!6+=! 7694:-H!'G*2*! ,G-**!2NG*-*2!F4:7=!-4:;G73!9*!*q:6,*=! ,4!F:7,:-*.!

N470,0F2.! 6+=! *F4+4<3H!Y:,! F0107! 24F0*,3! 02!<0220+;! 0+! ,G*! N470,0F67! 232,*<.! 6+=! ,G*! F:7,:-67! 232,*<! 76FZ2!

0+2,0,:,04+2! 2:FG! 62! ,G*! <622! <*=06.! ,G*! *=:F6,04+! 232,*<.! 2F0*+F*.! ,G*! <*=0F67! 232,*<.! 4-! -*70;04+H!

>4++*,G!N-410=*2!T:2,!70Z*!p-62*-!6+!0+F4<N7*,*!6+=!:+;-4:+=*=!<4=*7!45!24F0*,3H!!

_*2N0,*! G02!<4+02,0F! F760<.!>4++*,G! 6-;:*2! 0+! ,G*! *+=! ,G6,! G02! F4+F*N,04+! 45! T:2,0F*! 02! N7:-6702,0F!

9*F6:2*! 0,! 02! 962*=! 4+! ,G-**! N-0+F0N7*2! [p-62*-O>4++*,G! 200oE! 25A\H! 'G*-*! 02! 6! 2,-6+;*! 6+=! :+-*2471*=!

,*+204+!9*,U**+!<4+02,0F!-*F4;+0,04+!6+=!N7:-6702<!0+!>4++*,Gj2!6NN-46FGH!%5!G02!0+,*+,04+!U*-*!,4!6-;:*!

=067*F,0F6773.!,G*+!G*!F4:7=!263!,G6,!<4+02<!6+=!N7:-6702<!F6+!9*!=067*F,0F6773!:+0,*=!0+!,G*!50;:-*!45!:+0,3!

0+!N7:-670,3![6!N7:-670,3!45!2NG*-*2!6+=!N-0+F0N7*2!:+0,*=!93!,G*!F6,*;4-3!45!-*F4;+0,04+\.!9:,!G*!=4*2!+4,!=4!

,G6,H!%,!02!,G*!4,G*-!U63!-4:+=!U0,G!p-62*-E!)G*!6-;:*2!54-!6!N7:-6702,0F!6NN-46FG!U0,G!,U4!2NG*-*2.!9:,!*+=2!

:N!N42,:76,0+;!4+*!41*-677!N-0+F0N7*!45!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!N6-0,3!U0,G4:,!6-;:0+;!=067*F,0F6773H!!

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4.2 Base and Superstructure Reconsidered: Towards a Dialectical Model of

Society and a Dialectic-Materialistic Moral Philosophy

>4U!2G4:7=!,G*!-*76,04+!45!962*!6+=!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*!9*!9*2,!F4+F*01*=V!!

Q4=*72!45!24F0*,3!,G6,!2**!24F0*,3!62!9*0+;!F4<N42*=!45!0+=*N*+=*+,!2:9232,*<2.!2:FG!62!r:G<6++j2!

[19A#\! ,G*4-3! 45! 5:+F,04+67! =055*-*+,06,04+.! 56F*! ,G*! N-497*<! 45! *RN760+0+;! NG*+4<*+6! ,G6,! 6-*!

FG6-6F,*-02,0F!54-!,G*!;74967!+*,U4-Z!24F0*,3H!)4!,G*3!*H;H!F6++4,!6=*q:6,*73!;-62N!0+!G02!,G*4-3!,G6,!,4=63!

*F4+4<0F!74;0F!0+57:*+F*2!76-;*!N6-,2!45!24F0*,3H!%+!F4+,-62,!,4!-*=:F,04+02,0F!6+=!-*76,0102,0F!24F067!,G*4-0*2.!

=067*F,0F67! 24F067! ,G*4-0*2! G61*! N-41*=! 2:FF*225:7! 0+! F4+F*010+;! 24F0*,3! 62! 9*0+;! F4<N42*=! 45! -*76,01*!

6:,4+4<4:2! 2:9232,*<2! ,G6,! 677! G61*! ,G*0-! 4U+! 2N*F050F0,3.! 9:,! +4+*,G*7*22! =*N*+=! 4+! *6FG! 4,G*-! 6+=!

0+57:*+F*! *6FG! 4,G*-H! 'G*! 2:9232,*<2! 6-*! F4+F*01*=! 62! =02,0+F,! 6+=! 6,! ,G*! 26<*! ,0<*! <:,:6773!

0+,*-=*N*+=*+,.!UG0FG!02!,G*!5:+=6<*+,67!74;0F67!50;:-*!45!=067*F,0F67!,G0+Z0+;H!!

)4F0*,3! F6+!9*! F4+F*01*=! 62! F4+202,0+;!45! 0+,*-F4++*F,*=! 2:9232,*<2! ,G6,! 6-*!+4,! 0+=*N*+=*+,! 6+=!

962*=!4+!4+*!2N*F050F!5:+F,04+!,G*3!5:7507.!9:,!6-*!4N*+.!F4<<:+0F6,01*73!0+,*-F4++*F,*=.!6+=!+*,U4-Z*=H!

'G*!*F474;0F67!232,*<.!,G*!,*FG+474;0F67!232,*<.!,G*!*F4+4<0F!232,*<.!,G*!N470,0F67!232,*<.!6+=!,G*!F:7,:-67!

232,*<!F6+!9*!F4+F*01*=!62!,G*!2:9232,*<2!45!6!<4=*7!45!24F0*,3![p:FG2!200A.!F5H!50;:-*!2\H!MG3!*R6F,73!

,G*2*! 232,*<2V! %+!4-=*-! ,4! 2:-101*.! G:<6+2! 0+! 24F0*,3! G61*! ,4! 6NN-4N-06,*! 6+=! FG6+;*!+6,:-*! [*F474;3\!

U0,G! ,G*! G*7N! 45! ,*FG+474;0*2! 24! ,G6,! ,G*3! F6+! N-4=:F*! -*24:-F*2! ,G6,! ,G*3! =02,-09:,*! 6+=! F4+2:<*!

[*F4+4<3\.! UG0FG! *+697*2! ,G*<! ,4! <6Z*! F477*F,01*! =*F0204+2! [N470,3\.! 54-<! 167:*2.! 6+=! 6Fq:0-*! 2Z0772!

[F:7,:-*\H!'G*!F4-*!45!,G02!<4=*7!F4+202,2!45!,G-**!232,*<2![*F4+4<3.!N470,3.!F:7,:-*\H!'G02!=02,0+F,04+!F6+!

6724!9*!54:+=!0+!4,G*-!F4+,*<N4-6-3!24F0474;0F67!,G*4-0*2E!?0==*+2![19A#E!2Ago#\!=02,0+;:02G*2!9*,U**+!

*F4+4<0F!0+2,0,:,04+2.!N470,0F67!0+2,0,:,04+2.!6+=!23<9470F!4-=*-2O<4=*2!45!=02F4:-2*!62!,G*!,G-**!,3N*2!45!

0+2,0,:,04+2!0+!24F0*,3H!Y4:-=0*:![19A6\!2N*6Z2!45!*F4+4<0F.!N470,0F67.!6+=!F:7,:-67!F6N0,67!62!,G*!,G-**!,3N*2!

45!2,-:F,:-*2!0+!24F0*,3H!^a-;*+!>69*-<62![19A1\!=055*-2!9*,U**+!,G*!705*U4-7=.!,G*!*F4+4<0F!232,*<.!6+=!

,G*! N470,0F67! 232,*<H! X6FG! 45! ,G*2*! 232,*<2! 02! 2G6N*=! 93! G:<6+! 6F,4-2! 6+=! 24F067! 2,-:F,:-*2! ,G6,! 6-*!

N-4=:F*=!93!,G*!6F,4-2!6+=!F4+=0,04+!,G*!6F,4-2j!N-6F,0F*2H!X6FG!2:9232,*<!02!=*50+*=!6+=!N*-<6+*+,73!-*D

F-*6,*=!93! 6! -*57*R01*! 744N! ,G6,! N-4=:F,01*73! 0+,*-F4++*F,2!G:<6+! 6F,4-2! 6+=! ,G*0-! N-6F,0F*2!U0,G! 24F067!

2,-:F,:-*2H!!

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296!

!

G,H&)'"CE!)4F0*,3!62!=3+6<0F.!=067*F,0F67!232,*<![)4:-F*E!p:FG2!200A\!

!'G*!*F4+4<0F!232,*<!F6+!4+73!N-4=:F*!;44=2!,G6,!26,0253!G:<6+!+**=2!93!G:<6+!7694:-!N4U*-!,G6,!

<6Z*2!:2*!45!N-4=:F,01*!6+=!F4<<:+0F6,04+!,*FG+474;0*2!0+!4-=*-!,4!*2,69702G!24F067!-*76,04+2!6+=!FG6+;*!

,G*! 2,6,*! 45! +6,:-67! -*24:-F*2H! 'G*! 76,,*-! 6-*! ,-6+254-<*=! 0+,4! *F4+4<0F! ;44=2! 93! ,G*! 6NN70F6,04+! 45!

,*FG+474;0*2! ,4! +6,:-*! 6+=! 24F0*,3! 0+! 7694:-! N-4F*22*2H! >*+F*! ,G*! *F4+4<3! 02! 962*=! 4+! 6! =067*F,0F! 45!

+6,:-67!-*24:-F*2!6+=!7694:-!,G6,!02!<*=06,*=!93!,*FG+474;3H!M*!G*+F*!F6+!6-;:*!,G6,!24F06773!,-6+254-<*=!

+6,:-*!6+=!,*FG+474;3!6-*!62N*F,2!45!,G*!*F4+4<0F!232,*<H

'G02! 6774U2! :2! ,4! <6Z*! 6! =02,0+F,04+! 9*,U**+! ,G*! 962*! 6+=! ,G*! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*! 45! 24F0*,3H! 'G*!

*F4+4<0F!962*! 02!F4+2,0,:,*=!93! ,G*! 0+,*-N763!45! 7694:-.! ,*FG+474;3.!6+=!+6,:-*!24!,G6,!*F4+4<0F!;44=2!

6-*! N-4=:F*=! ,G6,! 26,0253! G:<6+! +**=2H! 'G*! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*! 02! <6=*! :N! 93! ,G*! 0+,*-F4++*F,04+! 45! ,G*!

N470,0F67!6+=!,G*!F:7,:-67!232,*<!24!,G6,!0<<6,*-067!;44=2!*<*-;*.!UG0FG!6774U!,G*!=*50+0,04+!45!F477*F,01*!

=*F0204+2!6+=!24F0*,67!167:*!2,-:F,:-*2H!_4*2!0,!<6Z*!2*+2*!,4!2N*6Z!45!962*![+6,:-*.!,*FG+474;3.!*F4+4<3\!

6+=! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*! [N470,3.! F:7,:-*\! 0+! 24F0*,3.!4-!=4*2! ,G02!<*6+! ,G6,!4+*! -*=:F*2! 677! 24F067! *R02,*+F*! ,4!

*F4+4<0F!56F,2V!'G*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*!02!+4,!6!<*FG6+0F!-*57*F,04+.!,G6,!02.!6!70+*6-!<6NN0+;.!45!,G*!962*.!,G6,!

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29$!

02.!,G*!-*76,04+2!6+=!54-F*2!45!N-4=:F,04+H!%,!F6++4,!9*!=*=:F*=!5-4<!4-!-*=:F*=!,4!0,H!S-,G4=4R!Q6-R02<!

54-!6!74+;!,0<*!=0=!+4,!-*6708*!,G02H!'G6,!,G*!962*!02!+4,!,G*!<*FG6+0F!-*57*F,04+!45!,G*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*!G62!

54-!6!74+;!,0<*!+4,!9**+!-*6708*=!93!%=*6702<H!W77!G:<6+!6F,010,3!02!962*=!4+!N-4=:F0+;!6!+6,:-67!6+=!24F067!

*+10-4+<*+,J!0,!02!0+!,G02!2*+2*!,G6,!,G*!+4,04+!45!,G*!962*!02!45!5:+=6<*+,67!0<N4-,6+F*H!M*!G61*!,4!*6,!

6+=!2:-101*!9*54-*!U*!F6+!6+=!0+!4-=*-!,4!*+T43!7*02:-*.!*+,*-,60+<*+,.!6-,2.!6+=!24!4+H!M*!U077!2:-101*!54-!

6!UG07*!U0,G4:,!7*02:-*.!6-,.!*+,*-,60+<*+,.!*=:F6,04+.!6+=!=*F0204+D<6Z0+;.!9:,!4+73!54-!6!1*-3!2G4-,!,0<*!

U0,G4:,!U6,*-!6+=!544=H!'G02!2G4U2!,G6,!,G*!*F4+4<3!02!<4-*!5:+=6<*+,67!6+=!;-4:+=0+;!0+!24F0*,3!,G6+!

,G*!N470,0F67!6+=!,G*!F:7,:-67!232,*<H!'G*!962*!02!6!N-*F4+=0,04+.!6!+*F*226-3.!9:,!+4,!6!2:550F0*+,!F4+=0,04+!

54-!,G*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*H!'G*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*!02!6!F4<N7*R.!+4+70+*6-!F-*6,01*!-*57*F,04+!45!,G*!962*.!,G*!962*!

6!F4<N7*R.!+4+70+*6-!F-*6,01*!-*57*F,04+!45!,G*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*H!'G02!<*6+2!,G6,!94,G!7*1*72!6-*!-*F:-201*73!

70+Z*=!6+=!N-4=:F*!*6FG!4,G*-J!*F4+4<0F!N-6F,0F*2!6+=!2,-:F,:-*2!,-0;;*-!N470,0F67!6+=!F:7,:-67!N-4F*22*2J!

F:7,:-67!6+=!N470,0F67!N-6F,0F*2!6+=!2,-:F,:-*2!,-0;;*-!*F4+4<0F!N-4F*22*2H!'G*!+4,04+!45!F-*6,01*!-*57*F,04+!

;-62N2! ,G*! =067*F,0F! 45! FG6+F*! 6+=! +*F*220,3O0+=*,*-<0+6,04+! 6+=! =*,*-<0+6,04+! ,G6,! 2G6N*2! ,G*!

-*76,04+2G0N!45! 962*! 6+=! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*H!'G*-*! 02! +4,! 6! F4+,*+,!45! ,G*! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*! ,G6,! 02! cN-*=0F,*=.!

N-*50;:-*=!6+=!F4+,-477*=d!93! ,G*!962*J! ,G*!962*.!62!`63<4+=!M07706<2!0+!G02!56<4:2!N6N*-!4+!Base and

Superstructure in Marxist Cultural Theory! 2632.! c2*,2! 70<0,2! 6+=! *R*-,2! N-*22:-*d! 4+! ,G*! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*!

[M07706<2!2001E!165\H!),:6-,!>677![19Ao\!G62!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!2N4Z*+!45!6!=*,*-<0+6,04+!0+!,G*!50-2,!0+2,6+F*!

*R*-,*=!93!,G*!*F4+4<0F!232,*<!4+!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*2H!

MG6,! 6-*! ,G*! 0<N70F6,04+2! 45! 6! =067*F,0F67! <4=*7! 45! 962*! 6+=! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*! 54-! ,G*! +4,04+! 45!

0+54-<6,04+V!%5!U*!F4+F*01*!0+54-<6,04+!62!6+!0+,*;-6,01*!+4,04+.!,G*+!0,!<:2,!=067*F,0F6773!2,-*,FG!6F-422!

962*! 6+=! 2:N*-2,-:F,:-*H! 'G02! <*6+2! ,G6,! 0,! 02! +*0,G*-! T:2,! 6+! *F4+4<0F! -*24:-F*! [*H;H! 0+54-<6,04+!

,*FG+474;3\.! +4-! T:2,! 0=*62.! 9:,! 2G4:7=!9*2,! 9*! F4+F*01*=! 62!94,G!49T*F,01*! 6+=! 2:9T*F,01*H!'G02! F6+!9*!

6FG0*1*=! 93! =*50+0+;! 0+54-<6,04+! 62! 6! N-4F*22! 45! F4;+0,04+.! F4<<:+0F6,04+.! 6+=! F4D4N*-6,04+!

[>45Z0-FG+*-!2002.!p:FG2!200A\H!%,!02!6!-*76,04+2G0N!,G6,!F4++*F,2!6;*+,2!0+!6!N-4=:F,01*!U63!24!,G6,!,G*3!

F6+!N-4=:F*!+41*7,3H! %,! 02! ,G*!=3+6<0F!62N*F,!45! 24F067! 232,*<2H!'G02! ,G*+!<*6+2! ,G6,!677! ,G-**!4:,70+*=!

2:9232,*<2!G61*!62N*F,2!45!0+54-<6,04+.!62N*F,2!45!F4;+0,04+.!F4<<:+0F6,04+.!6+=!F4D4N*-6,04+E!%+!4-=*-!

,4! N-4=:F*! ;44=2.! G:<6+2! +**=! N76+2.! F4<<:+0F6,01*! F4D4-=0+6,04+! 45! N-4=:F,04+.! 6+=! F4D4N*-6,01*!

7694:-!N-4F*22*2H! %+!4-=*-! ,4! ,6Z*!F477*F,01*!=*F0204+2.!N470,0F67!4N0+04+2.!N470,0F67! 0+,*-6F,04+.!6+=!6F,:67!

=*F0204+DN-4F*=:-*2! 0+14710+;!<6+3!6F,4-2!6-*!+**=*=H! %+!4-=*-! ,4!*2,69702G!F477*F,01*!+4-<2.! 0+=010=:67!

U4-7=10*U2.!<4-67! =02F4:-2*.! 6+=! ,G*! *<*-;*+F*!45! F477*F,01*! 0=*+,0,0*2! 6-*! +**=*=H!W! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3!45!

0+54-<6,04+! q:*2,04+2! F4+=0,04+2.! 0+! UG0FG! 2,-:F,:-67! -*24:-F*2! 2:FG! 62! N-4N*-,3.! =*F0204+D<6Z0+;!

F6N6F0,0*2.! 167:*! =*50+0,04+DF6N6F0,0*2! 6-*! 623<<*,-0F6773! =02,-09:,*=.! F*-,60+! 6F,4-2! 6-*! *RF7:=*=! 5-4<!

N6-,0F0N6,04+.!6+=!,G*!4+*!=*-01*!9*+*50,2!6,!,G*!*RN*+2*!45!4,G*-2H!

M*! F6+! 2N*6Z! 45! N6-,0F0N6,04+! 0+! F62*2.! UG*-*! G:<6+2! 6-*! *+697*=! 93! ,*FG+474;0*2.! -*24:-F*2.!

4-;6+086,04+2.! 6+=! 2Z0772! ,4! =*20;+! 6+=! <6+6;*! ,G*0-! 24F067! 232,*<2! 677! 93! ,G*<2*71*2! 6+=! ,4! =*1*74N!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

29A!

F477*F,01*!10204+2!45!6!9*,,*-! 5:,:-*!24! ,G6,! ,G*!=*20;+!45!24F067! 232,*<2!F6+!<6Z*!:2*!45! ,G*0-!F477*F,01*!

0+,*770;*+F*! [p:FG2! 200A\H! W! N6-,0F0N6,4-3! 24F067! 232,*<! 02! 6! 232,*<.! 0+!UG0FG! N4U*-! 02! =02,-09:,*=! 0+! 6!

-6,G*-! 23<<*,-0F67!U63.! ,G6,! 02.! G:<6+2! 6-*! *+697*=! ,4! F4+,-47! 6+=! 6Fq:0-*! -*24:-F*2! 2:FG! 62! N-4N*-,3.!

,*FG+474;0*2.! 24F067! -*76,04+2G0N2.! Z+4U7*=;*.! 6+=! 2Z0772! ,G6,! G*7N! ,G*<! 0+! *+,*-0+;! F4<<:+0F6,04+! 6+=!

F44N*-6,04+!N-4F*22*2!0+!UG0FG!=*F0204+2!4+!q:*2,04+2!,G6,!6-*!45!F477*F,01*!F4+F*-+!6-*!,6Z*+H!K-410=0+;!

N*4N7*! U0,G! -*24:-F*2! 6+=! F6N6F0,0*2! ,G6,! *+697*! -*2N4+2097*! 6+=! F-0,0F67! 6F,010,3! 0+! =*F0204+D<6Z0+;!

N-4F*22*2!02!6!N-4F*22!45!*<N4U*-<*+,J!N6-,0F0N6,04+!02!6!N-4F*22!45!*<N4U*-0+;!G:<6+2H!

>4U!6-*!N6-,0F0N6,04+.!F4D4N*-6,04+.!6+=!2:2,60+69070,3!F4++*F,*=V!K6-,0F0N6,04+!02!2,-:F,:-*D4-0*+,*=.!

0,! 02! 6!N-4F*22! 0+!UG0FG! 24F067! 2,-:F,:-*2!6-*!=*20;+*=! 0+! 2:FG!6!U63! ,G6,! 0+=010=:672! 6-*! 0+F7:=*=! 0+! ,G*!

F4+2,0,:,04+!45! ,G*! 24F067! 232,*<2! ,G*3! 701*! 0+!6+=!6F,:6773! ,6Z*!N6-,! 0+! ,G*2*!F4+2,0,:,04+!N-4F*22*2H!&4D

4N*-6,04+! 02! 6+! 0+,*-2:9T*F,01*! N-4F*22! U0,G0+! N6-,0F0N6,4-3! 2,-:F,:-*2H! K6-,0F0N6,04+! 02! 6! 74;0F67! 6+=!

+*F*226-3.!9:,!+4,! 2:550F0*+,!N-*F4+=0,04+! 54-! F4D4N*-6,04+H!&4D4N*-6,04+! 02! ,G*! 24F067!N-4F*22!93!UG0FG!

2:2,60+697*! 232,*<2!F6+!9*!N-4=:F*=H!):2,60+69070,3! F4+F*-+2! ,G*! 74+;D,*-<! 54-<!6+=!*55*F,2!45! 6! 24F067!

232,*<H! K6-,0F0N6,04+! <*6+2! ,G*! 2,-:F,:-67! *+697*<*+,.! F4D4N*-6,04+! ,G*! 0+,*-2:9T*F,01*! 24F067! N-4F*22.!

2:2,60+69070,3!,G*!74+;D,*-<!F4+=0,04+!6+=!*55*F,2!45!24F067!232,*<2.!0+!UG0FG!677!9*+*50,!6+=!G61*!6!;44=!

705*H!W92,-6F,73!2N4Z*+.!6!N6-,0F0N6,4-3.!F4D4N*-6,01*.!6+=!2:2,60+697*!24F0*,3!02!6!24F0*,3!,G6,!;:6-6+,**2!6!

;44=!705*!54-!677H!W!N6-,0F0N6,4-3.!F4D4N*-6,01*!6+=!2:2,60+697*! 0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3![K&)%)\!02!6!24F0*,3!0+!

UG0FG!Z+4U7*=;*!6+=! ,*FG+474;3!6-*! ,4;*,G*-!U0,G!24F067!232,*<2!2G6N*=! 0+!2:FG!U632! ,G6,!G:<6+2!6-*!

0+F7:=*=!0+!6+=!2*75D=*,*-<0+*!,G*0-!24F067!232,*<2!F477*F,01*73.!0+,*-6F,!0+!<:,:6773!9*+*50,0+;!U632.!6+=!24!

9-0+;!694:,!6!74+;D,*-<!2,69070,3!,G6,!9*+*50,2!677!N-*2*+,!6+=!5:,:-*!;*+*-6,04+2!6+=!24F067!;-4:N2H!):FG!6!

24F0*,3!02!+*F*226-073!+4+DF6N0,6702,0F!6+=!+4+D=4<0+6,01*H!'G*!+*R,!,697*!2G4U2!,G*!16-04:2!=0<*+204+2!45!

2:FG!6!24F0*,3H!

Page 53: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

299!

P,9'$1,*$" P'3,$,(,*$"

XF474;3E!K-*2*-16,04+! /+=*-!,G*!F4+=0,04+!45!*F474;0F67!N-*2*-16,04+.!+6,:-*!02!,-*6,*=!93!G:<6+2!0+!

U632!,G6,!6774U!574:-02G0+;!45!+6,:-67!232,*<2.!0H*H!,G*!6:,4N40*202!45!7010+;!

232,*<2!02!<60+,60+*=!6+=!+4,!6-,050F06773!0+,*--:N,*=!4-!=*2,-43*=!6+=!+6,:-67!

-*24:-F*2!6-*!N-*2*-1*=!6+=!+4,!=*N7*,*=H!

'*FG+474;3E!>:<6+D

&*+,-*=+*22!

'G6,!,*FG+474;3!02!G:<6+DF*+,-*=!<*6+2!,G6,!,*FG+474;0F67!232,*<2!2G4:7=!

G*7N!G:<6+2!0+!24710+;!N-497*<2.!50,!,G*0-!F6N69070,0*2.!N-6F,0F*2!6+=!2*75D

=*50+*=!+**=2.!2:NN4-,!G:<6+!6F,010,0*2!6+=!F4D4N*-6,04+.!6+=!0+1471*!:2*-2!0+!

=*50+0,04+.!=*1*74N<*+,.!6+=!6NN70F6,04+!N-4F*22*2H!

XF4+4<3E!Xq:0,3! XF4+4<0F!*q:0,3!<*6+2!,G6,!,G*-*!02!U*67,G!54-!677.!0H*H!=*50+*=!<6,*-067!7010+;!

2,6+=6-=2!2G4:7=!9*!;:6-6+,**=!54-!677!62!6!-0;G,.!+494=3!2G4:7=!701*!0+!

N41*-,3.!6+=!,G*!41*-677!U*67,G!2G4:7=!9*!=02,-09:,*=!0+!6!560-!U63!24!,4!6140=!

76-;*!U*67,G!6+=!0+F4<*!;6N2!9*,U**+!,G*!<42,!6+=!,G*!7*62,!U*67,G3H!

K470,3E!p-**=4<! p-**=4<!F6+!0+!70+*!U0,G!,G*!F-0,0F67D-*6702,!,G0+Z0+;!45!`43!YG62Z6-![199o\!9*!

F4+F*01*=!62!,G*!692*+,0+;!45!=4<0+6,04+.!0H*H!,G*!623<<*,-0F67!=02,-09:,04+!45!

N4U*-.!24!,G6,!G:<6+2!6-*!0+F7:=*=!6+=!0+1471*=!0+!=*50+0+;.!2*,,0+;.!6+=!

F4+,-4770+;!,G*!F4+=0,04+2!45!,G*0-!701*2H!%,!02!,G*!692*+,0+;!45!F4+2,-60+,2!4+!

,G*!<6R0<:<!=*1*74N<*+,!6+=!-*67086,04+!45!G:<6+!56F:7,0*2H!p-**=4<!,G*+!

<*6+2!,G*!<6R0<:<!:2*!6+=!=*1*74N<*+,!45!UG6,!&HYH!Q6FKG*-24+![19$o\!

G62!,*-<*=!G:<6+!=*1*74N<*+,67!N4U*-H!

&:7,:-*E!M02=4<! W!F:7,:-*!02!U02*!05!0,!6774U2!,G*!:+01*-267!2G6-0+;!6+=!F4D4N*-6,01*!F4+2,0,:,04+!

45!Z+4U7*=;*.!0=*62.!167:*2.!+4-<2.!6+=!2*,2!2,6+=6-=2!,G6,!6774U!70,*-6F3!6+=!

,G*!6,,60+<*+,!45!*=:F6,04+67!2Z0772!54-!677.!NG320F67!6+=!<*+,67!G*67,G!45!677.!,G*!

<6R0<086,04+!45!705*!,0<*!0+!G*67,G!54-!677.!F4<<:+0F6,01*!=0674;:*!0+!UG0FG!677!

140F*2!6-*!G*6-=!6+=!0+57:*+,067.!6!F:7,:-*!45!:+=*-2,6+=0+;!,G6,!6774U2!50+=0+;!

F4<<4+!167:*2!U0,G4:,!F4<N-4<020+;!=055*-*+F*![:+0,3!0+!=01*-20,3\.!,G*!

*RN*-0*+F*!45!*+,*-,60+<*+,.!9*6:,3.!,G*!=01*-20,3!45!N76F*2.!<*+,67!FG677*+;*!

6+=!=01*-20,3.!NG320F67!*R*-F02*!54-!677.!6+=!9:07=0+;!F4<<:+0,0*2.!-*76,04+2.!

741*.!6+=!5-0*+=2G0N2!54-!677H!

!A+6-'"QE!_0<*+204+2!45!6!<4-67!NG07424NG3!,G6,!02!962*=!4+!0<<6+*+,!,-6+2F*+=*+F*!

`*F4;+0,04+! 0+! ,G02! <4=*7! 02! 6! F:7,:-67! N-4F*22! ,G6,! N-4=:F*2! U02=4<H! `*=02,-09:,04+! F6+! 9*!

F4+20=*-*=!62!+4,!T:2,!6+!*F4+4<0F!N-4F*22.!9:,!62!,G*!N-4F*22!45!*2,69702G0+;!6!<4-*!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!24F0*,3!

93! -*=02,-09:,0+;! *F4+4<0F! -*24:-F*2.! N4U*-.! 6+=! =*50+0,04+DF6N6F0,0*2! 5-4<! =4<0+6+,! ;-4:N2! ,4!

4NN-*22*=! ;-4:N2H! `*F4;+0,04+! 02! 6! F:7,:-67! -*=02,-09:,04+! N-4F*22H! Y:,! ,G*2*! N-4F*22*2! 6-*! +4,!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o00!

0+=*N*+=*+,H! )0<076-73.! =*<4F-6,086,04+! 02! 6! -*=02,-09:,04+! 45! N470,0F67! N4U*-H! X2,69702G0+;! 6! <4-*! 560-!

24F0*,3!-*q:0-*2!62!6!<6,*-067!54:+=6,04+!,G*!-*=02,-09:,04+!45!*F4+4<0F!-*24:-F*2H!W!T:2,!24F0*,3!F6+!4+73!

9*! 6! 24F0*,3.! 0+!UG0FG!N-016,*! N-4N*-,3! 45! ,G*!<*6+2!45! N-4=:F,04+! F*62*! ,4! *R02,! 6+=! 677! G:<6+2!G61*!

*+4:;G!<6,*-067!-*24:-F*2!,4!701*!0+!U*67,GH!Xq:0,3!02!6!54:+=6,04+!54-!-*=02,-09:,04+!4+!,G*!2:N*-2,-:F,:-*H!

):N*-2,-:F,:-67! -*=02,-09:,04+! U0,G4:,! -*=02,-09:,04+! 6,! ,G*! 962*! 02! 6+! 0+F4<N7*,*! N-4F*22.! T:2,! 70Z*! ,G*!

4,G*-!U63!6-4:+=H!K470,0F67!-*=02,-09:,04+!<*6+2!,4!;01*!N4U*-!,4!,G*!N4U*-7*22H!W!5-**!24F0*,3!02!4+*.!0+!

UG0FG! 677! 655*F,*=! N*-24+2! 6-*! 0+1471*=! 0+! =*F0204+D<6Z0+;H! &:7,:-67! -*=02,-09:,04+! <*6+2! ,4! 694702G!

F:7,:-67!2,6,:2!G0*-6-FG0*2!,G6,!N-0107*;*!,G*!U4-7=10*U2!45!F*-,60+!;-4:N2!4-!0+=010=:672!0+!,G*!54-<6,04+!45!

F477*F,01*!0=*+,0,0*2H!W!24F0*,3!02!4+73!U02*!05!677!N*4N7*!F6+!G61*!6!140F*!,G6,!02!G*6-=!6+=!02!6F,01*!N6-,!45!

F477*F,01*! 0=*+,0,3D54-<6,04+!N-4F*22*2H!&7622!-*76,04+2!N763!6+! 0<N4-,6+,!-47*! 0+! ,G02!<4-67DNG07424NG0F67!

<4=*7!9*F6:2*!,G*!*2,69702G<*+,!45!6!<4-*!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!24F0*,3!-*q:0-*2!62!6!54:+=6,04+!<6,*-067!*q:0,3.!

0H*H!,G*!69470,04+!45!F7622H!M0,G4:,!*F4+4<0F!-*24:-F*2.!N*4N7*!U077!+4,!G61*!0+57:*+F*!0+!=*F0204+D<6Z0+;!

6+=!F:7,:-67!-*F4;+0,04+!9*F4<*2!6+!*<N,3!NG-62*H!Y:,!*q:0,3!02!+4,!*+4:;GH!%,! 02!6!+*F*226-3.!9:,!+4,!6!

2:550F0*+,!F4+=0,04+!54-!6!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!24F0*,3H!&477*F,01*!=*F0204+D<6Z0+;!6+=!F477*F,01*!0=*+,0,3!54-<6,04+!

-*q:0-*! -*24:-F*2! 62! ,G*0-! 54:+=6,04+2H! %5! ,G*2*! N-4F*22*2! 2G677! 9*! 5-**! 6+=! U02*.! ,G*+! 50-2,! 45! 677! ,G*!

*2,69702G<*+,! 45! 6! F76227*22! 24F0*,3! 02! +**=*=H! _*<4F-6F3! 6+=! 0=*+,0,3! N470,0F2! 6-*! *<N,3! NG-62*2! 0+! 6!

F6N0,6702,!24F0*,3!05!,G*3!=4!+4,!6Fq:0-*!6+!6+,0DF6N0,6702,!=0<*+204+H!

'G*!=0<*+204+2!45!N6-,0F0N6,04+!=4!+4,!*R02,! 0+=*N*+=*+,73.!9:,!6-*! 0+,*-=*N*+=*+,.! 0H*H!6! 76FZ!45!6!

F*-,60+! =0<*+204+! *1*+,:6773!U077! G61*!+*;6,01*! 0+57:*+F*2! 4+!4,G*-! =0<*+204+2.!UG*-*62! *+-0FG<*+,! 45!

4+*!=0<*+204+!U077!N-410=*!6!N420,01*!N4,*+,067!54-!,G*!*+-0FG<*+,!45!4,G*-!=0<*+204+2H!)4!54-!*R6<N7*.!

N*4N7*!UG4!701*!0+!N41*-,3!6-*!70Z*73!,4!+4,!2G4U!<:FG!0+,*-*2,!0+!N470,0F67!N6-,0F0N6,04+H!W+4,G*-!*R6<N7*!

02!,G6,!6+!:+2:2,60+697*!*F4232,*<!6=16+F*2!6+!:+2:2,60+697*!24F0*,3!6+=!10F*!1*-26E!%5!<6+!N477:,*2!+6,:-*!

6+=! =*N7*,*2! +4+D-*+*U697*! +6,:-67! -*24:-F*2! N-497*<2.! 0H*H! 05! G*! F-*6,*2! 6+! :+G*67,G3! *+10-4+<*+,.!

N-497*<2!2:FG!62!N41*-,3.!U6-.! ,4,670,6-06+02<.!*R,-*<02<.!1047*+F*.!F-0<*.!*,FH!6-*!<4-*! 70Z*73! ,4!4FF:-H!

'G*!4,G*-!U63! -4:+=!6! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 02! 2G6Z*+!93!N41*-,3.!U6-.! 6! 76FZ!45!=*<4F-6F3!6+=!N7:-670,3.! *,FH! 02!

<4-*! 70Z*73! ,4! N477:,*! 6+=! =*N7*,*! +6,:-*H! )4! 2:2,60+69070,3! 2G4:7=! 9*! F4+F*01*=! 62! 9*0+;! 962*=! 4+! ,G*!

=067*F,0F! 45! *F474;0F67! N-*2*-16,04+.! G:<6+DF*+,-*=! ,*FG+474;3.! *F4+4<0F! *q:0,3.! N470,0F67! 5-**=4<.! 6+=!

F:7,:-67!U02=4<H!

Q5".$".660#*.%#'$"'9"*&#%#*.0"#$9'&8.%#'$"%-1'&2"R"

#(1'0'O2"*&#%#S)1"'9"#$9'&8.%#'$"

>4U!N*4N7*!,67Z!694:,!F*-,60+!,G0+;2.!0H*H!UG0FG!F6,*;4-0*2!,G*3!:2*!6+=!0+!UG0FG!20,:6,04+2.!02!5-6<*=!

93! ,G*0-! U4-7=10*U2.! 0H*H! 93! ,G*0-! 9620F! 4:,744Z2! 45! UG6,! ,G*3! F4+20=*-! ;44=! 6+=! 96=.! =*20-697*! 6+=!

:+=*20-697*.!+*F*226-3!6+=!:++*F*226-3H!'G*2*!U4-7=10*U2! 0+!6!F*-,60+!<4<*+,!45!24F0*,3!6-*!2G6N*=!93!

,G*!G02,4-3!45!6+!0+=010=:67j2!24F067086,04+!N6,,*-+2!,G6,!G61*!6FF:<:76,*=!6+=!N-4=:F*=!F*-,60+!*<*-;*+,!

Page 55: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

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<4-67!q:670,0*2H!Q4-672!6-*!+4,!2,6,0F.!G61*!6!N4,*+,067!,4!=*1*74N!962*=!4+!+*U!24F067086,04+!N6,,*-+2.!9:,!

,G*3!6-*!6724!+4,!5:773!=3+6<0F.!0H*H!,G*-*!02!6!F*-,60+!F4+,0+:0,3!45!<4-672!62!74+;!62!,G*3!6-*!+4,!2G6Z*+!93!

*RN*-0*+F*2!,G6,!,-6+254-<!4:-!701*2!5:+=6<*+,6773H!S:-!U4-7=10*U2!6-*!2G6N*=!93!4:-!N420,04+2!0+!F7622!

-*76,04+2.!N4U*-!-*76,04+2.!6+=!F477*F,01*! 0=*+,0,0*2!,G6,!6-*!6;60+!962*=!4+!,G*!=067*F,0F!45!F4+,0+:0,3!6+=!

=02F4+,0+:0,3H! %+=010=:67! <4-672! 6-*! 2G6N*=! 93! ,G*! <4-672! 6+=! 0=*+,0,0*2! 45! ,G*! ;-4:N2! ,G6,! U*! *+,*-!

F4+,0+:4:273! 6+=! ,G*3! ,4! F*-,60+! =*;-**2! 2G6N*! 6+=! <60+,60+! ;-4:N! <4-672! 6+=! 0=*+,0,0*2! 0+! -*F:-201*!

N-4F*22*2![p:FG2!200AE!FG6N,*-!o\H!

%5!U4-7=10*U2! 2G6N*! 4:-! 9620F! 9*G6104:-! 6+=! G4U!U*! F4+5-4+,! ,G*!U4-7=.! ,G*+! 6F6=*<06! 02! +4,! 6!

167:*D+*:,-67! 232,*<.! 9:,! ,G*! 6F6=*<0F! F6,*;4-0*2.! <4=*72.! ,G*4-0*2.! N-0+F0N7*2! 6+=! <*,G4=2! ,G6,! U*!

F4+2,-:F,.!:2*.!6NN73.!-*102*.!6+=!F-0,0F08*!6-*!2G6N*=!93!4:-!9620F!U4-7=!4:,744Z2H!'G*-*!6-*!-*624+2!UG3!

U*!:2*!4-!=4!+4,!:2*!6!F*-,60+!F6,*;4-3H!'G*-*!6-*!-*624+2!UG3!U*!=*50+*!6!F6,*;4-3!0+!6!F*-,60+!U63!6+=!

+4,! 0+! 6+4,G*-H! 'G*-*54-*! ,G*-*! 6-*! 6724! -*624+2! UG3! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! =*50+*=! 0+! F*-,60+! U632H! %=*474;3!

F-0,0q:*! 45! 0+54-<6,04+!<*6+2! ,4! :+F41*-! ,G*!U4-7=10*U2! ,G6,! :+=*-70*! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! 0+54-<6,04+H! p4-!

=40+;!24.!4+*!50-2,!+**=2!,4!Z+4U!UG6,!6+!0=*474;3!6F,:6773!02H!

'G*!=02F:2204+!45!,G*!F4+F*N,!45!0=*474;3!6+=!45!0=*474;3!F-0,0q:*!G62!9**+!<42,!0+,*+201*73!F6--0*=!

4:,!93!Q6-R02,!,G*4-3H!'G*!+4,04+!U62!67-*6=3!0<N4-,6+,!0+!,G*!U4-Z2!45!Q6-R!6+=!G62!9**+!2:92*q:*+,73!

*7694-6,*=!93!Q6-R06+!2FG476-2H!'G*!Q6-R06+!F4+F*N,!45!0=*474;3!02!962*=!4+!6!-*6702,!4+,4D*N02,*<474;3.!

0H*H!,G*!;-4:+=*=!622:<N,04+!,G6,!-*670,3!*R02,2!49T*F,01*73!6+=!,G6,!6F6=*<0F!2FG476-2!6-*!697*!,4!=*2F-09*!

6+=!6+6738*!24F0*,3!62!0,!02H!?-62N0+;!24F0*,3!62!0,!02!6+=!62!0,!F4:7=!6+=!2G4:7=!9*.!02!2**+!62!,G*!54:+=6,04+!

54-! T:=;*<*+,2! 694:,!U4-7=10*U2.! ,G*4-0*2.! 6+=! Z+4U7*=;*! ,G6,! 6-*! =02,4-,*=.! 0H*H! ,G6,! F760<! ,G6,! -*670,3!

2G4:7=!9*!4-!F6+!4+73!9*!4-;6+08*=!0+!6!F*-,60+!U63!,G6,!02!=055*-*+,!5-4<!0,2!,-:*!6F,:67!4-!N4,*+,067!2,6,*H!

%=*474;3!F-0,0q:*!2**2!2:FG!F760<2!62!-*N-*2*+,6,04+2!45!-*N-*2201*!0+,*-*2,2H!

X+;*72!6-;:*2!,G6,!0=*62!6-*!c-*57*F,04+2!g!,-:*!4-!=02,4-,*=!g!45!-*670,3d![QXM!20E!5$o\H!%5!0=*62!F6+!

9*! =02,4-,*=.! ,G02! <*6+2! ,G6,! 49T*F,01*! -*670,3! F6+! 9*! -*N-*2*+,*=! 0+! 5672*.! +4+D0=*+,0F67! 54-<2! 0+!

F4+2F04:2+*22H!Y3!F4<N6-0+;!0=*474;3!,4!6!F6<*-6!492F:-6.!Q6-R!N40+,2!4:,!,G6,!0=*474;3!<02-*N-*2*+,2!

-*670,3!24!,G6,!50F,01*!0=*62!6-*!F4+20=*-*=!62!N-0<6-3!6+=!,G*!U4-7=!02!,:-+*=!4+!0,2!G*6=E!c%5!0+!677!0=*474;3!

<*+!6+=!,G*0-!F0-F:<2,6+F*2!6NN*6-!:N20=*D=4U+!62!0+!6!F6<*-6!492F:-6.!,G02!NG*+4<*+4+!6-02*2!T:2,!62!

<:FG!5-4<!,G*0-!G02,4-0F67! 705*DN-4F*22!62!,G*! 0+1*-204+!45!49T*F,2!4+!,G*!-*,0+6!=4*2!5-4<!,G*0-!NG320F67!

705*DN-4F*22c![QXM!oE!26\H!

p4-! Q6-R.! 0=*474;3! 02! ,G*! *RN-*2204+! 45! =4<0+6+,! F7622! 0+,*-*2,2! 6+=! ,G*! 6,,*<N,! ,4! F4+,-47! ,G*!

=4<0+6,*=E! c'G*! 0=*62!45! ,G*! -:70+;! F7622! 6-*! 0+!*1*-3!*N4FG! ,G*! -:70+;! 0=*62.! 0H*H! ,G*!F7622!UG0FG! 02! ,G*!

-:70+;!<6,*-067! 54-F*!45! 24F0*,3.! 02! 6,! ,G*! 26<*! ,0<*! 0,2! -:70+;! 0+,*77*F,:67! 54-F*H!'G*!F7622!UG0FG!G62! ,G*!

<*6+2! 45! <6,*-067! N-4=:F,04+! 6,! 0,2! =02N4267.! G62! F4+,-47! 6,! ,G*! 26<*! ,0<*! 41*-! ,G*! <*6+2! 45! <*+,67!

N-4=:F,04+.! 24! ,G6,! ,G*-*93.! ;*+*-6773! 2N*6Z0+;.! ,G*! 0=*62! 45! ,G42*! UG4! 76FZ! ,G*! <*6+2! 45! <*+,67!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

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N-4=:F,04+!6-*!2:9T*F,! ,4! 0,c! [QXM!oE!#6\H!dQ4-670,3.!-*70;04+.!<*,6NG320F2.!677! ,G*!-*2,!45! 0=*474;3c!6-*!

FG6-6F,*-08*=! 93!Q6-R! 62! dNG6+,4<2! 54-<*=! 0+! ,G*! G:<6+! 9-60+c! [QXM!oE! 265\H! W7-*6=3! 0+! ,G*!U*77D

Z+4U+!Introduction to A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, Q6-R!26U!-*70;04+!62!0=*474;3!

,G6,!-*2:7,2!0+!d6+!0+1*-,*=!F4+2F04:2+*22!45!,G*!U4-7=c!6+=!5:+F,04+2!62!d4N0:<!45!,G*!N*4N7*!c![QXM!1E!

o$A\H!

'G*! 0+20;G,! ,G6,! 0=*474;3! =02,4-,2! -*670,3! U62! 76,*-! N-*2*-1*=! 6+=! *RN6+=*=! 0+! ,G*! FG6N,*-! 4+! ,G*!

Fetishism of Commodities! 0+!Capital, Volume 1! [QXM!2oE! A5D9A\H! cW! F4<<4=0,3! 02! ,G*-*54-*! 6!<32,*-04:2!

,G0+;.!20<N73!9*F6:2*!0+!0,!,G*!24F067!FG6-6F,*-!45!<*+j2!7694:-!6NN*6-2!,4!,G*<!62!6+!49T*F,01*!FG6-6F,*-!

2,6<N*=!:N4+!,G*!N-4=:F,!45!,G6,!7694:-J!9*F6:2*!,G*!-*76,04+!45!,G*!N-4=:F*-2!,4!,G*!2:<!,4,67!45!,G*0-!

4U+! 7694:-! 02! N-*2*+,*=! ,4! ,G*<!62! 6! 24F067! -*76,04+.! *R02,0+;!+4,!9*,U**+! ,G*<2*71*2.!9:,!9*,U**+! ,G*!

N-4=:F,2!45!,G*0-!7694:-c![QXM!2oE!A6\H!Q6-R!622:<*2!,G6,!,G*!F4<<4=0,3!FG6-6F,*-!45!;44=2!F4+F*672!

,G6,! ,G*2*! ;44=2! *R02,! 4+73! 9*F6:2*! ,G*3! 6-*! N-4=:F*=! 93! G:<6+! 7694:-! 0+! F7622! -*76,04+2H! 'G*!

cNG6+,62<6;4-0Fd!0<N-*2204+!,G6,!F4<<4=0,3.!F6N0,67.!6+=!<4+*3!6-*!+6,:-67!54-<2!45!*R02,*+F*!,G6,!=4!

+4,!G61*!24F0*,67!54:+=6,04+2!U4:7=!9*!F-*6,*=H!Q6-R!G*-*!6;60+!2N*6Z2!45!c<02,D*+1*74N*=!-*;04+2!45!,G*!

-*70;04:2!U4-7=c![QXM!2oE!A6\.!G02! 0+0,067!F-0,0q:*!45!-*70;04+! 02!*R,*+=*=!,4!F6N0,6702<!0+!4-=*-!,4!2G4U!

,G6,! ,G*! F4<<4=0,3! 6+=! F6N0,67! 54-<2! 6-*! <6+0N:76,01*! 6+=! =02,4-,! -*670,3H! 'G*! 5*,02G! FG6-6F,*-! 45!

F4<<4=0,0*2! 6724! 6NN70*2! ,4! ,G*! F6N0,6702,! <622! <*=06E! 'G*! 54-<2! 45! =4<0+6,04+! 45! F6N0,6702<! 6-*!

+6,:-6708*=!93!,G*!<*=06!6+=!6-*!N4-,-63*=!62!9*0+;!:+FG6+;*697*.!0,!02!F4+F*67*=!,G6,!,G*3!G61*!6!G02,4-0F!

FG6-6F,*-.! F6+! 9*! ,-6+254-<*=!93! 24F067! 2,-:;;7*2.! 6+=! 6-*! ,G*! -*2:7,! 45! 24F0*,67! =*1*74N<*+,! 6+=! 24F067!

-*76,04+2H!

'G*!>:+;6-06+!NG07424NG*-!?*4-;!r:ZLF2! [192oO19$2\!G62!6-;:*=! ,G6,!94:-;*402! 0=*474;3! ,-0*2! ,4!

N-*2*+,!,G*!*R02,*+F*!45!F6N0,6702<!62!6+!:+G02,4-0F67!76U!,G6,!F6++4,!9*!FG6+;*=E!c'G*!49T*F,01*!54-<2!45!

677! 24F067!NG*+4<*+6!FG6+;*!F4+2,6+,73! 0+! ,G*!F4:-2*!45! ,G*0-!F*62*7*22!=067*F,0F67! 0+,*-6F,04+2!U0,G!*6FG!

4,G*-H! 'G*! 0+,*770;09070,3! 45! 49T*F,2! =*1*74N2! 0+! N-4N4-,04+! 62! U*! ;-62N! ,G*0-! 5:+F,04+! 0+! ,G*! ,4,670,3! ,4!

UG0FG! ,G*3! 9*74+;H! 'G02! 02! UG3! 4+73! ,G*! =067*F,0F67! F4+F*N,04+! 45! ,4,670,3! F6+! *+697*! :2! ,4! :+=*-2,6+=!

-*670,3!62!6!24F067!N-4F*22H!p4-!4+73!,G02!F4+F*N,04+!=022471*2!,G*!5*,02G02,0F!54-<2!+*F*226-073!N-4=:F*=!93!

,G*!F6N0,6702,!<4=*!45!N-4=:F,04+!6+=!*+697*2!:2!,4!2**!,G*<!62!<*-*!077:204+2!UG0FG!6-*!+4,!7*22!077:24-3!

54-!9*0+;!2**+!,4!9*!+*F*226-3H!'G*2*!:+<*=06,*=!F4+F*N,2.!,G*2*!w76U2j!2N-4:,!T:2,!62!0+*10,6973!5-4<!,G*!

2407!45!F6N0,6702<!6+=!1*07!,G*!-*67!-*76,04+2!9*,U**+!49T*F,2H!'G*3!F6+!677!9*!2**+!62!0=*62!+*F*226-073!G*7=!

93! ,G*! 6;*+,2!45! ,G*! F6N0,6702,! 232,*<!45!N-4=:F,04+H!'G*3! 6-*.! ,G*-*54-*.!49T*F,2!45!Z+4U7*=;*.!9:,! ,G*!

49T*F,!UG0FG!02!Z+4U+!,G-4:;G!,G*<!02!+4,!,G*!F6N0,6702,!232,*<!45!N-4=:F,04+!0,2*75.!9:,!,G*!0=*474;3!45!

0,2! -:70+;! F7622H! S+73! UG*+! ,G02! 1*07! 02! ,4-+! 620=*! =4*2! G02,4-0F67! Z+4U7*=;*! 9*F4<*! N422097*H! p4-! ,G*!

5:+F,04+!45!,G*2*!:+<*=06,*=!F4+F*N,2!,G6,!G61*!9**+!=*-01*=!5-4<!,G*!5*,02G02,0F!54-<2!45!49T*F,010,3!02!

,4!<6Z*! ,G*! NG*+4<*+6! 45! F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3! 6NN*6-! 62! 2:N-6DG02,4-0F67! *22*+F*2H!'G*! Z+4U7*=;*! 45! ,G*!

-*67.!49T*F,01*!+6,:-*!45!6!NG*+4<*+4+.!,G*!Z+4U7*=;*!45!0,2!G02,4-0F67!FG6-6F,*-!6+=!,G*!Z+4U7*=;*!45!0,2!

Page 57: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o0o!

6F,:67! 5:+F,04+! 0+! ,G*! ,4,670,3! 45! 24F0*,3! 54-<.! ,G*-*54-*.! 6! 20+;7*.! :+=010=*=! 6F,! 45! F4;+0,04+d! [r:ZLF2!

192oO19$2E!1o5\H!!

%=*474;3!U4:7=!6724!9*!0<<6+*+,!0+!,G*!*F4+4<0F!54-<2!45!F6N0,6702<!0,2*75H!MG6,!Q6-R!,*-<*=!,G*!

5*,02G! FG6-6F,*-! 45! F4<<4=0,0*2! 02! ,*-<*=! -*050F6,04+! 93!r:ZLF2E! c'G*! 5*,02G02,0F! FG6-6F,*-! 45! *F4+4<0F!

54-<2.! ,G*! -*050F6,04+! 45! 677! G:<6+! -*76,04+2.! ,G*! F4+2,6+,! *RN6+204+! 6+=! *R,*+204+! 45! ,G*! =010204+! 45!

7694:-!UG0FG! 2:9T*F,2! ,G*! N-4F*22! 45! N-4=:F,04+! ,4! 6+! 692,-6F,.! -6,04+67! 6+673202.!U0,G4:,! -*;6-=! ,4! ,G*!

G:<6+!N4,*+,0670,0*2!6+=!69070,0*2!45!,G*!0<<*=06,*!N-4=:F*-2.!677!,G*2*!,G0+;2!,-6+254-<!,G*!NG*+4<*+6!45!

24F0*,3!6+=!U0,G!,G*<!,G*!U63!0+!UG0FG!,G*3!6-*!N*-F*01*=d![r:ZLF2!192oO19$2E!6\H!

'G*!%,6706+!Q6-R02,!W+,4+04!?-6<2F0!6==*=!,4!Q6-Rj2!,G*4-3!45!0=*474;3!,G*!0+20;G,!,G6,!0=*474;3!02!

+4,!20<N73!0<N42*=!93!=4<0+6+,!;-4:N2!4+!,G*!=4<0+6,*=.!9:,!,G6,!,G*!76,,*-!6724!6;-**!,4!=4<0+6,04+!93!

-*5:20+;!,4!-*202,.!93!G4N0+;!,4!;60+!6=16+,6;*2!93!2:NN4-,0+;!=4<0+6,04+.!4-!93!+4,!2**0+;!,G-4:;G!,G*!

N-*2*+,*=!70*2!24!,G6,!62!6!-*2:7,!,G*3!F4+2*+,!,4!,G*0-!4U+!4NN-*2204+H!>*;*<4+3!<*6+2!0+!,G02!F4+,*R,!

,G*! cj2N4+,6+*4:2j! F4+2*+,! 45! ,G*!<622*2!UG4!<:2,! w701*j! ,G42*! =0-*F,01*2.!<4=0530+;! ,G*0-! 4U+!G690,2.!

,G*0-!4U+!U077.!,G*0-!4U+!F4+10F,04+2!,4!F4+54-<!U0,G!,G42*!=0-*F,01*2!6+=!U0,G!,G*!49T*F,01*2!UG0FG!,G*3!

N-4N42*!,4!6FG0*1*d![?-6<2F0!19$1E!266\H!r4:02!W7,G:22*-![19$1O199#\!2,-*22*=!,G6,!0=*474;3!02!6!c232,*<!

45! ,G*! 0=*62! 6+=! -*N-*2*+,6,04+2!UG0FG! =4<0+6,*! ,G*!<0+=! 45! 6!<6+! 4-! 6! 24F067! ;-4:Nd! [120\! 6+=! ,G6,!

c0=*474;3!-*N-*2*+,2!,G*!0<6;0+6-3!-*76,04+2G0N!45!0+=010=:672!,4!,G*0-!-*67!F4+=0,04+2!45!*R02,*+F*d![12o\H!

cM*! 492*-1*! ,G6,! ,G*! 2,-:F,:-*! 45! 677! 0=*474;3.! 0+,*-N*776,0+;! 0+=010=:672! 62! 2:9T*F,2! 0+! ,G*! +6<*! 45! 6!

/+0q:*! 6+=! W9247:,*! ):9T*F,! 02! 2N*F:76-3.! 0H*H! 6! <0--4-D2,-:F,:-*.! 6+=! =4:973! 2N*F:76-3E! ,G02! <0--4-!

=:N70F6,04+! 02! F4+2,0,:,01*! 45! 0=*474;3! 6+=! *+2:-*2! 0,2! 5:+F,04+0+;H! MG0FG! <*6+2! ,G6,! 677! 0=*474;3! 02!

F*+,-*=.!,G6,!,G*!W9247:,*!):9T*F,!4FF:N0*2!,G*!:+0q:*!N76F*!45!,G*!&*+,-*.!6+=!0+,*-N*776,*2!6-4:+=!0,!,G*!

0+50+0,3!45!0+=010=:672!0+,4!2:9T*F,2!0+!6!=4:97*!<0--4-DF4++*R04+!2:FG!,G6,!0,!2:9T*F,2!,G*!2:9T*F,2!,4!,G*!

):9T*F,d![1o#\H!p4-!W7,G:22*-.!0=*474;0*2!6-*!-*76,04+2!6+=!U632!45!,G0+Z0+;.!6F,0+;.!9*70*10+;.!F4+10+F0+;.!

6+=!F4*-F0+;!,G6,!=4!+4,!-*N-*2*+,!-*670,3!62!0,!02.!9:,!0=*62!6+=!0+,*-*2,2!45!=4<0+6,01*!;-4:N2!,G6,!U6+,!,4!

=*50+*!-*670,3!0+!6!F*-,60+!U63!6+=!F4+10+F*!2:94-=0+6,*!;-4:N2!,4!2**!-*670,3!,G*!26<*!U63!24!,G6,!,G*3!=4!

+4,!-*202,!=4<0+6,04+!6+=!,G*0-!4U+!2:94-=0+6,04+H!)4<*4+*!UG4!5614:-2!6!F*-,60+!0=*474;3!,6Z*2!N6-,!0+!

F*-,60+!N-6F,0F*2![;40+;!,4!FG:-FG.!<**,0+;2.!F4+2:<N,04+!45!0+54-<6,04+!6+=!F:7,:-*.!*,F\H!'G*2*!N-6F,0F*2!

2G4U! 54-!W7,G:22*-! ,G6,! 0=*474;0*2! G61*! 6!<6,*-067! *R02,*+F*! 6+=! 6-*! +4,! T:2,! 0=*62H!'G6,! 0=*474;3! F6772!

G:<6+! 9*0+;2! 62! 2:9T*F,2! 0+! ,G*! +6<*! 45! 6! G0;G*-! 2:9T*F,! [0+,*-N*776,04+\!<*6+2! ,G6,! 0=*474;3! ,-0*2! ,4!

F4+10+F*!4-!F4*-F*!6+!0+=010=:67!,4!9*70*1*!0+!,G*!2:N*-04-0,3!45!6!F*-,60+!54-F*![?4=.!7*6=*-.!2,6,*.!9422.!

;:-:.!<4+*3.!<6-Z*,.!*,F\!6+=!,4!2:9<0,!0,2!6F,04+2!6+=!,G0+Z0+;!,4!,G*!U077!45!,G02!69247:,*!2:9T*F,H!

'G*! p-6+Z5:-,! )FG447! G62! 6-;:*=! ,G6,! U0,G! ,G*! *2,69702G<*+,! 45! 20,G! F*+,:-3! F6N0,6702<.! ,G*!<622!

<*=06!6+=!F:7,:-*!G61*!,6Z*+!4+!F4<<4=0,3!54-<!0+!6!U63!,G6,!20<N7050*2!6+=!=02,4-,2!-*670,3.!Z**N2!N*4N7*!

F67<! 93! N-*4FF:N30+;! ,G*<!U0,G! 70;G,! *+,*-,60+<*+,H! &4+2F04:2+*22!U4:7=! 9*F4<*! 0+2,-:<*+,67! 70Z*! 6!

<6FG0+*.!-*57*F,04+!U4:7=!9*!2:92,0,:,*=!93!2,6+=6-=08*=!6:,4<6,0F!-*6F,04+2!24!,G6,!N4,*+,067!67,*-+6,01*2!

Page 58: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o0#!

,4! *R02,0+;! 24F0*,3! U4:7=! +4! 74+;*-! 9*! ,G4:;G,! 6+=! U4:7=! ,G*-*54-*! 9*F4<*! :+70Z*73H! cX6FG! 20+;7*!

<6+05*2,6,04+!45! ,G*!F:7,:-*! 0+=:2,-3! 0+*2F6N6973!-*N-4=:F*2!G:<6+!9*0+;2!62!UG6,! ,G*!UG47*!G62!<6=*!

,G*<H!W+=!677!0,2!6;*+,2.!5-4<!,G*!N-4=:F*-!,4!,G*!U4<*+j2!4-;6+086,04+.!6-*!4+!,G*!67*-,!,4!*+2:-*!,G6,!,G*!

20<N7*! -*N-4=:F,04+! 45! <0+=! =4*2! +4,! 7*6=! 4+! ,4! ,G*! *RN6+204+! 45! <0+=d! [>4-ZG*0<*-OW=4-+4!

19##O2002E!100\H!c^:2,!62!6!FG07=!-*N*6,2!,G*!U4-=2!45!G02!<4,G*-.!6+=!,G*!34:+;2,*-!,G*!9-:,67!<6++*-2!45!

,G*! *7=*-2! 6,! UG42*! G6+=2! G*! 2:55*-2.! 24! ,G*! ;06+,! 74:=D2N*6Z*-! 45! 0+=:2,-067! F:7,:-*.! 976-0+;! ,G-4:;G!

F4<<*-F06708*=!-*F-*6,04+!6+=!N4N:76-!6=1*-,020+;!g!UG0FG!9*F4<*!<4-*!6+=!<4-*!0+=02,0+;:02G697*!5-4<!

*6FG!4,G*-!g!*+=7*2273!-*=:N70F6,*2!,G*!2:-56F*!45!-*670,3d![>4-ZG*0<*-!19#$O19$#E!96\H!>*-9*-,!Q6-F:2*!

2N4Z*! 0+! ,G02! F4+,*R,! 45! ,G*! *<*-;*+F*! 45! 4+*D=0<*+204+67! F4+2F04:2+*22! 6+=! 62! 6! -*2:7,! 45! 6! 4+*D

=0<*+204+67!24F0*,3E!c%+!6!2N*F050F!2*+2*!6=16+F*=!0+=:2,-067!F:7,:-*!02!more 0=*474;0F67!,G6+!0,2!N-*=*F*224-.!

0+62<:FG! 62! ,4=63! ,G*! 0=*474;3! 02! 0+! ,G*! N-4F*22! 45! N-4=:F,04+! 0,2*75H! %+! 6! N-414F6,01*! 54-<.! ,G02!

N-4N420,04+! -*1*672! ,G*! N470,0F67! 62N*F,2! 45! ,G*! N-*16070+;! ,*FG+474;0F67! -6,04+670,3H! 'G*! N-4=:F,01*!

6NN6-6,:2!6+=!,G*!;44=2!6+=!2*-10F*2!UG0FG!0,!N-4=:F*2!w2*77j!4-!0<N42*!,G*!24F067!232,*<!62!6!UG47*H!'G*!

<*6+2!45!<622! ,-6+2N4-,6,04+! 6+=!F4<<:+0F6,04+.! ,G*! F4<<4=0,0*2!45! 74=;0+;.! 544=.! 6+=!F74,G0+;.! ,G*!

0--*202,097*!4:,N:,!45!,G*!*+,*-,60+<*+,!6+=!0+54-<6,04+!0+=:2,-3!F6--3!U0,G!,G*<!N-*2F-09*=!6,,0,:=*2!6+=!

G690,2.!F*-,60+!0+,*77*F,:67!6+=!*<4,04+67!-*6F,04+2!UG0FG!90+=!,G*!F4+2:<*-2!<4-*!4-!7*22!N7*626+,73!,4!,G*!

N-4=:F*-2!6+=.!,G-4:;G!,G*!76,,*-.!,4!,G*!UG47*H!'G*!N-4=:F,2!0+=4F,-0+6,*!6+=!<6+0N:76,*J!,G*3!N-4<4,*!6!

5672*! F4+2F04:2+*22! UG0FG! 02! 0<<:+*! 6;60+2,! 0,2! 5672*G44=H! W+=! 62! ,G*2*! 9*+*50F067! N-4=:F,2! 9*F4<*!

61607697*!,4!<4-*!0+=010=:672!0+!<4-*!24F067!F7622*2.!,G*!0+=4F,-0+6,04+!,G*3!F6--3!F*62*2!,4!9*!N:970F0,3J!0,!

9*F4<*2!6!U63!45! 705*H! %,! 02!6!;44=!U63!45! 705*! D!<:FG!9*,,*-! ,G6+!9*54-*!D!6+=!62!6!;44=!U63!45! 705*.! 0,!

<070,6,*2!6;60+2,!q:670,6,01*!FG6+;*H!'G:2!*<*-;*2!6!N6,,*-+!45!one-dimensional thought and behavior 0+!UG0FG!

0=*62.!62N0-6,04+2.!6+=!49T*F,01*2!,G6,.!93!,G*0-!F4+,*+,.!,-6+2F*+=!,G*!*2,69702G*=!:+01*-2*!45!=02F4:-2*!6+=!

6F,04+!6-*!*0,G*-!-*N*77*=!4-!-*=:F*=!,4!,*-<2!45!,G02!:+01*-2*d![Q6-F:2*!196#9E!115\H!

Q:FG!<4-*!F4:7=!9*!260=!694:,!,G*!Q6-R02,!,G*4-3!45!0=*474;3![F5H!,G*!F4+,-09:,04+2!0+!!0"*Z!199#\.!

9:,! ,G*-*! 02!+4,! ,G*!2N6F*! ,4!=4!24!G*-*!6+=!,G*-*54-*!,G*!=02F:2204+!+**=2!,4!9*!F4+50+*=!,4!24<*!Z*3!

,G0+Z*-2H!W+!0=*474;3!02!6!N-4F*22.!0+!UG0FG!=4<0+6,01*!;-4:N2!6==-*22!=4<0+6,*=!;-4:N2!6+=!0+=010=:672.!

6,!UG0FG! *RN*+2*! ,G*3!<60+,60+!N-0107*;*2! 6+=! F4+,-47! 45! -*24:-F*2.!U0,G! 6! 232,*<!45! 0=*62! ,G6,! ,-0*2! ,4!

T:2,053!,G*!*R02,0+;!F4+=0,04+2!6+=!54-*2,677!FG6+;*H!'G*!=4<0+6,*=!-*2N4+=!,4!,G02!6==-*22!93!-*N-4=:F0+;!

0,! 76-;*73! 4-! N6-,73! 4-! 93! +*;7*F,0+;! 0,! 6+=! =*1*74N0+;! 67,*-+6,01*! 0+,*-N-*,6,04+2! 6+=! 0=*62! ,G6,! ;:0=*!

-*202,6+F*H!%+!6+3!F62*.!,G*-*!U077!9*!6!-*2N4+2*!93!,G*!=4<0+6,*=!0+!,G*!54-<!45!<6,*-067!N-6F,0F*2H!%,!02!+4,!

N-*=*,*-<0+*=.!9:,!F4+=0,04+*=!G4U!,G*2*!-*2N4+2*!N-6F,0F*2! 744Z! 70Z*H!%,! 02!<4-*! 70Z*73! ,G6,!G*;*<4+0F!

,G6+!F4:+,*-DG*;*<4+0F!N-6F,0F*2!U077!*<*-;*!9*F6:2*!=4<0+6+,!;-4:N2!6+=!0+=010=:672!,*+=!,4!<6Z*!:2*!

45!F4+,0+:4:2!2,-:F,:-*2![*=:F6,04+.!N-4N6;6+=6.!<622!<*=06.!-*70;04+.!6224F06,04+2.!*,F\!,G6,!,-3!,4!2*F:-*!

6!N420,01*! -*2N4+2*H!)630+;!3*2! ,4! 0=*474;0*2! 02! *620*-! ,G6+! 2630+;!+4H!):FF*225:7! 0=*474;0*2!N-4=:F*!6+=!

-*N-4=:F*! 5672*! F4+2F04:2+*22.! 0H*H! 6! 2,6,*! 45!<0+=! ,G6,! F4+20=*-2! F4+=0,04+2! ,G6,! 5614:-! ,G*! 4+*! 6,! ,G*!

*RN*+2*!45! ,G*!4,G*-2!62!6FF*N,697*H!'-:*!F4+2F04:2+*22! 0+!F4+,-62,! 02!4+*! ,G6,!60<2!6,!F4+=0,04+2! 5-4<!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o05!

UG0FG! 677! 9*+*50,H! ):FG! 6! 2,6,*! F6+! 6724! 9*! =*2F-09*=! 62! ,G*! F4+=0,04+! 45! N6-,0F0N6,4-3! =*<4F-6F3!

[Q6FNG*-24+!19$o\H!!

%=*474;0*2!4N*-6,*!0+!4+*!45!,G*!54774U0+;!U632E!!

!! `*=:F,04+!45!N-497*<2!,4!:+=*-N-0107*;*=!N*-24+2!4-!;-4:N2!45!N*-24+2!4-!20+;7*!2:9232,*<2E!)0+;7*!

2:9232,*<2! 45! 24F0*,3! 4-! :+=*-N-0107*;*=! ;-4:N2! ,G6,! 6-*! ,G*<2*71*2! 10F,0<2! 45! ,G*! 232,*<! 6-*!

N-*2*+,*=! 62! ,G*! F6:2*2! 45! N-497*<2.! UG0FG! 0<N70*2! ,G6,! ,G*3! 2G4:7=! 9*! *70<0+6,*=H! K-497*<2! 6-*!

-*=:F*=!,4!N*-24+2!4-!4,G*-!N6-,0F:76-02,0F!*+,0,0*2!0+!4-=*-!,4!54-*2,677!FG6+;0+;!,G*!,-:*!F6:2*2H!!'G02!

02! 54-! *R6<N7*! ,G*! 74;0F!45! -6F02<H!>0;G*-! F4<N7*R0,3! 6+=! 0+,*-F4++*F,04+!45! 20+;:76-0,0*2! ,4!4,G*-!

NG*+4<*+6!6+=!232,*<2!6-*!0;+4-*=H!

!! `*=:F,04+02,0F!5*,02G02<E!'G0+;2!6-*!N-*2*+,*=!62!247:,04+2!54-!N-497*<2!24!,G6,!,G*!:+=*-730+;!24F067!

-*76,04+2! ,G6,! N-4=:F*! 6+=! -*N-4=:F*! ,G*2*! ,G0+;2! 6-*! 0;+4-*=! [5*,02G02<\H! K-497*<! 247:,04+2! 6-*!

-*=:F*=! ,4! ,G0+;2H! 'G02! 02! 54-! *R6<N7*! ,G*! F62*! 0+! ,*FG+474;0F67! =*,*-<0+02<! [,*FG+474;0*2! 6-*!

N-*2*+,*=! 62! N-497*<! 2471*-2\! 4-! F4+2:<*-02<! [,G*! 0=*6! 45! 2G4NN0+;! 6+=! ,G*! N-4<02*! 45! 4U+0+;!

F4<<4=0,0*2!02!N-*2*+,*=!62!709*-6,0+;!6+=!62!24:-F*!45!G6NN0+*22\H!

!! >4702,0F!6:,4<6,02<E!K-497*<2!6-*!N-*2*+,*=!62!+4+DN-497*<2!93!,-30+;!,4!0+2,677!6!9*70*5!0+!,G*!0++*-!

=*1*74N<*+,!45!,G*!*R02,0+;!232,*<!,4U6-=2!5-0F,04+7*22!=*1*74N<*+,H!%,! 02!622:<*=!,G6,!,G*!232,*<!

67U632!G62!,G*!F6N6F0,3!,4!2471*!0,2!4U+!N-497*<2.!,G6,!4+*!2G4:7=!T:2,!U60,!6+=!=4!+4,G0+;.!6+=!,G6,!

,G*-*!F6+!9*!+4!9-*6Z=4U+H!'G*!74;0F!45!+*4709*-6702<!,G6,!02!962*=!4+!,G*!9*70*5!,G6,!<6-Z*,2!6-*!,G*!

9*2,!U63!45!4-;6+080+;!677!62N*F,2!45!*F4+4<3!6+=!24F0*,3!02!6+!*R6<N7*H!

!! _:6702,0F! =*+4:+F*<*+,!4-!=*+067! 45!N422097*! 67,*-+6,01*2E!XR02,0+;! 24F0*,3! 02!N-*2*+,*=! 62! ,G*!9*2,!

N422097*!24F0*,3H!%+!6!=:6702,0F!2*+2*!,G*!N422097*!5:,:-*!02!2N70,!455!5-4<!,G*!N-*2*+,!62!:+,G0+Z697*!4-!

:+-*6708697*H!&*-,60+!=*1*74N<*+,2!6-*!+4,!F4+20=*-*=!70Z*73!4-!20<N73!0;+4-*=H!

!! _:6702,0F!N7:-67086,04+E!k6-04:2!;4672!6-*!N42,:76,*=!U0,G4:,!2**0+;!,G6,!,G*3!<0;G,!F4+570F,H!Q:7,0N7*!

F6:2670,0*2!6-*!6NN70*=!,G6,!6-*!2*N6-6,*=!6+=!+4,!F4++*F,*=!,4!*6FG!4,G*-H!!

!! 'G*-*!F6+!9*!6+3!F4<90+6,04+!45!,G*2*!*7*<*+,2H!

Y62*=! 4+! ,G02! +4,04+! 45! 0=*474;3.! 24<*! 50-2,.! N-*70<0+6-3.! +4+DF4+F7:201*! 62N*F,2! 45! ,G*! 0=*474;3!

F-0,0q:*! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! F6+! 9*! 4:,70+*=H! p4-! r:ZLF2.! 7*;0,0<6,080+;! -*050F6,04+! [k*-=0+;70FG:+;.! ,-*6,0+;!

24<*94=3! 70Z*!6!,G0+;!4-!-*7*;6,0+;!G0<!4-!G*-!,4!,G*!2,6,:2!45!6!,G0+;\!6+=!,G*!*55*F,2!45!-*050F6,04+!4+!

F4+2F04:2+*22![5672*!F4+2F04:2+*22\!6-*!,G*!F*+,-67!0=*474;0F67!N-4F*22*2H!`*050F6,04+!<*6+2!c,G6,!6!-*76,04+!

9*,U**+!N*4N7*! ,6Z*2!4+! ,G*!FG6-6F,*-!45! 6! ,G0+;!6+=! ,G:2! 6Fq:0-*2! wNG6+,4<!49T*F,010,3j.! 6+!6:,4+4<3!

,G6,! 2**<2! 24! 2,-0F,73! -6,04+67! 6+=!677D*<9-6F0+;!62! ,4!F4+F*67!*1*-3! ,-6F*!45! 0,2! 5:+=6<*+,67!+6,:-*E! ,G*!

Page 60: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o06!

-*76,04+!9*,U**+!N*4N7*d![r:ZLF2!192oO19$2E!Ao\H!S9T*F,01*!+4,04+2!45!0+54-<6,04+.!2:FG!62!,G*!F76220F67!

)G6++4+DM*61*-! <4=*7.! 2**! 0+54-<6,04+! 62! 6! ,G0+;! ,G6,! F6+! 9*! ,-*6,*=! 0+! F*-,60+! U632H! %,! F6+! 9*! +4!

6FF0=*+,! ,G6,! 2:FG!6!=*50+0,04+!G62!9*F4<*! ,G*!<60+2,-*6<!<4=*7!45! 0+54-<6,04+! 0+! ,G*!M*2,*-+!U4-7=!

=:-0+;! ,G*! 20,G! F*+,:-3H! %5! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! 2**+! 62! 6! ,G0+;.! ,G*+! 0,! 02! 49104:2! ,4! 6-;:*! ,G6,! 0,! 2G4:7=! 9*!

,-*6,*=!62!6!F4<<4=0,3H!^:2,!70Z*!G:<6+2.!UG4!2*77!,G*0-!7694:-!N4U*-!62!F4<<4=0,0*2.!<07Z!,G6,!02!247=!0+!

6!2G4N.!F6-2!,G6,!6-*!247=!93!F6-!=*67*-2.!4-!2,4FZ2!,G6,!6-*!247=!4+!50+6+F067!<6-Z*,2H!'G*!49T*F,01*!+4,04+!

45! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! ,G*! 54:+=6,04+! 45! ,G*! -02*! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! ,*FG+474;0*2! [%'\! ,G6,! 6-*! 962*=! 4+! ,G*!

F4<N:,*-!6+=!,G*-*54-*!4+!90+6-3!74;0FH!%'!G62!9*F4<*!6+!0<N4-,6+,!F4<<4=0,3!0,2*75.!6+=!6!<*=0:<!45!

6=1*-,02*<*+,! 54-! F4<<4=0,0*2.! 6+=! ,G*! 2*770+;! 6+=! ,-6+2N4-,! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! F4<<4=0,0*2H! 'G*-*54-*!

0+54-<6,04+! 0+! 0,2! %'! 54-<! 02! F742*! ,4! ,G*! F4<<4=0,3! 54-<! 6+=! G62! ,G*-*54-*! :+=*-;4+*! 6! N-4F*22! 45!

-*050F6,04+!,G6,!F6+!6724!9*!,*-<*=!F4<<4=050F6,04+![p7*022+*-!2006\H!&4<<4=050F6,04+.!0H*H!,G*!,-*6,<*+,!

45!24F067!-*76,04+2!62!F4<<4=0,0*2.!F*-,60+73!02!+4,!,G*!4+73!,3N*!45!-*050F6,04+!,4=63H!S+*!F6+!54-!*R6<N7*!

2**!-6N*.!U6-56-*.!<*=06!<6+0N:76,04+.!-6F02<!6+=!R*+4NG4906.!*,FH!62!4,G*-!54-<2H!Y:,!F4<<4=050F6,04+!

02!F*-,60+73!6!F*+,-67!54-<!45!-*050F6,04+.!U0,G!UG0FG!677!4,G*-!54-<2!45!-*050F6,04+!6-*!6-,0F:76,*=H!'G*!74;0F!

45! ,*FG+474;0F67! =*,*-<0+02<! ,G6,! 6-;:*2! ,G6,! ,G*-*! 6,*! ,*FG+474;0F67! 50R*2! ,4! 24F0*,67! N-497*<2.! 02! 6+!

*RN-*2204+!45!-*050*=!F4+2F04:2+*22H!

'G*!1*-3!74;0F!45!%'!02!0,2*75!4+*!45!-*050F6,04+E!&4<N:,*-2!6-*!962*=!4+!<*FG6+02,0F!74;0FH!X6FG!0+N:,!

N-4=:F*2!6+!*R6F,73!=*,*-<0+*=!4:,N:,H!&4<N:,*-2!=4!+4,!G61*!5-**=4<!45!6F,04+.!,G*-*!02!+4!FG6+F*!6+=!

0+=*,*-<0+6F3!0+!90+6-3!74;0FH!&4<N:,*-2!6-*!:+=067*F,0F67!232,*<2H!'G*3!Z+4U!+4!97:--0+;!45!94:+=6-0*2.!

T:2,! ,G*! 74;0F! 45! *0,G*-O4-H! _067*F,0F67! 74;0F! 0+! F4+,-62,! 4N*-6,*2! 962*=! 4+! ,G*! 74;0F! 94,GO6+=H! 'G*!

F4<N:,*-!F4:7=! ,G*-*54-*!6724!9*!2**+!62!6! -*050*=!232,*<.!4+*! ,G6,! 02!962*=!4+! ,*FG+474;0F67! -6,04+670,3!

6+=! 0+2,-:<*+,67! -*624+H! 'G*! =6+;*-! 0+! 2N*6Z0+;! 45! 6! F4<N:,*-08*=! 24F0*,3.! 6+! 0+54-<6,04+! 24F0*,3.! 6!

10-,:67! 24F0*,3.! 6! F39*-24F0*,3.! 6! =0;0,67! 24F0*,3.! 4-! 6+! %'! 24F0*,3! 02! ,G6,! U*! -*053! 24F0*,3! 0,2*75.! ,G6,! ,G*!

<*,6NG4-2!45!%'!4-!,G*!F4<N:,*-!-*2:7,!0+!6!;*+*-67086,04+!45!,G*!:+=067*F,0F67!q:670,0*2!45!,G*!F4<N:,*-!,4!

24F0*,3H! r:ZLF2! [192oO19$2E! A9\! 2**2! F67F:769070,3! 62! 6! F*+,-67! 62N*F,! 45! -*050F6,04+! N-4F*22*2H! %+! 2:FG!

N-4F*22*2.! G:<6+2! G61*! ,4! 5:+F,04+! 70Z*! N6-,2! 45! 6!<6FG0+*! [r:ZLF2! 192oO19$2E! A9\H! X6FG! ,0<*!UG*+!

G:<6+2!6-*!-*050*=.!54-!*R6<N7*!05!,G*3!6-*!<6+0N:76,*=!93!,G*!<*=06!4-!G61*!,4!2*77!,G*0-!7694:-!N4U*-!0+!

4-=*-!,4!2:-101*!g!N-4F*22*2!,G6,!U*-*!=*2F-09*=!U0,G!,G*!F6,*;4-3!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!93!>4-ZG*0<*-!

6+=!W=4-+4![19##O2002\!6+=!,G*!F6,*;4-3!45!:+=067*F,0F67!4+*D=0<*+204+670,3!93!Q6-F:2*![196#9\!g!.!U*!

F4:7=!6724! 263! ,G6,!G:<6+2!6-*!F4<N:,*-08*=.! ,G*3!6-*! -*=:F*=! ,4! ,G*! 2,6,:2!45! ,G0+;2H!'G*! 74;0F!45! ,G*!

F4<N:,*-!g!0,2!2,-0F,!0+2,-:<*+,67!2*N6-6,04+!g!;*+*-6708*=!,4!24F0*,3!02!6!N-4F*22!45!*2,69702G0+;!562F02<H!

%+!6!N-414F6,01*!<6++*-!4+*!F4:7=!,G*-*54-*!263!,G6,!562F02<!02!0+2F-09*=!0+,4!,G*!F4<N:,*-!6+=!0+!4-=*-!

,4!6140=!6!562F02,!24F0*,3!U*!+**=!N470,0F67!-*;:76,04+!45!24F0*,3!,G6,!6140=2!+*;6,01*!*55*F,2!45!F4<N:,*-!

:26;*! 4+! 24F0*,3H! %+! 6+! *1*+! <4-*! N-414F6,01*! U63.! 4+*! F4:7=! 263! ,G6,! ,G*! F4<N:,*-! 2F0*+,02,! 02! ,G*!

N-4,4,3N*!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!6+=!,G*-*54-*!67U632!6!N4,*+,067![9:,!+4,!+*F*226-073!6+!6F,:67\!562F02,H!%+!

4-=*-! ,4! 6140=! ,G*! -*67086,04+! 45! ,G*2*! 562F02,! N4,*+,0672.! *,G0F67.! +4-<6,01*.! F-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;! 02! +**=*=!

Page 61: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

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67-*6=3!0+!,G*!*=:F6,04+!45!F4<N:,*-!2F0*+,02,2H!'G*!<622!*R,*-<0+6,04+!45!^*U2!0+!*R,*-<0+6,04+!F6<N2!

70Z*!W:2FGU0,8!02!,G*!:7,0<6,*!54-<!45!-*050F6,04+!g!,G*!,-*6,<*+,!45!G:<6+2!+4!74+;*-!62!G:<6+.!9:,!62!

,G0+;2! ,G6,!F6+!9*!6-90,-6-073!:2*=.!69:2*=.!6+=!Z077*=H!>4-ZG*0<*-!6+=!W=4-+4![19##O2002\!6-;:*=!,G6,!

W:2FGU0,8!02!,G*!:7,0<6,*!-*2:7,!45!,G*!<4=*-+!:+547=0+;!45!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+H!%5!0+2,-:<*+,67!-*624+!02!

6724!,G*! 0<<6+*+F*!45!,G*!F4<N:,*-.! ,G*+!6724!W:2FGU0,8! 02!N4,*+,06773! 0+20=*!45!,G*!74;0F!45!,G*!=0;0,67!

<6FG0+*.!9:,!+4,!4+73! ,G*-*H!W:2FGU0,8! F4+2,-:F,*=!6! ,*--4-02,0F!90+6-3!*0,G*-O4-E! ^*UOW-36+!g!=*6=!4-!

6701*H!W:2FGU0,8!0,2*75!U62!6!;06+,!+*;6,01*!<6FG0+*.!6!<6FG0+*!45!=*2,-:F,04+!45!G:<6+2!962*=!4+!=0;0,67!

74;0FH! W:2FG0,8! 02! ,G*! :7,0<6,*! =0;0,67! <6FG0+*! 45! F6N0,6702,! 24F0*,3H! W:2FGU0,8! 02! ,G*! F4<N:,*-! 45!

<4=*-+086,04+H!_*50+0+;!0+54-<6,04+!62!,G0+;!6=16+F*2!54:+=6,04+2!45!-*0530+;!0+54-<6,04+!6+=!62!*55*F,!

6724!,G*!-*050F6,04+!45!G:<6+2H!):FG!=*50+0,04+2!2G4:7=!,G*-*54-*!9*!F4+20=*-*=!62!9*0+;!0=*474;0*2H!r:ZLF2!

[192oO19$2E! 100\! 2,-*22*=! ,G6,! -*050F6,04+! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! 6+! 62N*F,! 45! ,G*! -*050F6,04+! 45! G:<6+2! 6+=!

24F0*,3H!`*050F6,04+!c2,6<N2!0,2!0<N-0+,!:N4+!,G*!UG47*!F4+2F04:2+*22!45!<6+J!G02!q:670,0*2!6+=!69070,0*2!6-*!

+4! 74+;*-! 6+!4-;6+0F!N6-,!45!G02!N*-24+670,3.! ,G*3! 6-*! ,G0+;2!UG0FG!G*!F6+! w4U+j!4-! w=02N42*!45j! 70Z*! ,G*!

16-04:2!49T*F,2!45!,G*!*R,*-+67!U4-7=d![090=H\H!

%5!U*!U6+,!,4!6140=!6!2*F4+=!W:2FGU0,8.!,G*+!U*!F*-,60+73!+**=!+4,!694702G!0+54-<6,04+!,*FG+474;3.!

9:,!U*!+**=!,4!2G6N*!24F0*,3!6+=!,*FG+4D24F067!232,*<2!0+!U632!,G6,!6140=!,G*!-*050F6,04+!45!G:<6+2!6+=!

*2,69702G!6!+*U!54-<!45!-6,04+670,3!,G6,!02!962*=!4+!,G*!+4,04+!45!F4D4N*-6,04+.!6!74;0F!0+!UG0FG!677!9*+*50,H!

'G*!0+54-<6,04+!24F0*,3!02! 0+!0,2!F6N0,6702,0F!54-<![0+54-<6,04+67!F6N0,6702<\!6!G0;G73!0+2,-:<*+,67!24F0*,3H!

'G*-*54-*!6!2*F4+=!W:2FGU0,8!<0;G,!9*!=6U+0+;!!6+=!+**=2! ,4!9*!F0-F:<1*+,*=!93!677!<*6+2H!XRF7:204+.!

4NN-*2204+.! *RN740,6,04+.! U6-56-*! 02! 4<+0N-*2*+,! 6+=! :90q:0,4:2! 0+! F4+,*<N4-6-3! 24F0*,3H! 'G*2*!

NG*+4<*+6! F6+! ,:-+! 0+,4!<62201*! N-4T*F,2! 45! -*N-*2204+H! %+54-<6,04+! 6+=! 0+54-<6,04+! ,*FG+474;3! 6-*!

5:+F,04+67!N6-,2!45!-*N-*2204+![p:FG2!200A\H!'G*!N-*F4+=0,04+!54-!*2,69702G0+;!6!G:<6+*!24F0*,3!02!,G6,!U*!

N:,!6+!*+=!,4!-*050F6,04+H!'G*!*+=!45!-*050F6,04+!02!6,!,G*!26<*!,0<*!F*-,60+73!,G*!*+=!45!F7622!24F0*,3!6+=!

F6N0,6702<H!

W! 2*F4+=! ,3N*!45!=*50+0,04+!45! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! ,G*! 2:9T*F,01*!4+*H!'G*!<42,!N-4<0+*+,! 2:9T*F,0102,!

6NN-46FG! 0+! <3! 4N0+04+! 02! -6=0F67! F4+2,-:F,0102<! ,G6,! 2**2! 677! Z+4U7*=;*! 62! 2,-0F,73! 0+=010=:6773!

F4+2,-:F,*=H!`6=0F67!F4+2,-:F,0102<!02!,G*-*54-*!962*=!4+!,G*!U4-7=10*U!45!0+=010=:6702<H!%+=010=:6702<!02!

6724! ,G*! 0=*474;3! ,G6,! :+=*-70*2! 94:-;*402! 24F0*,3! 0+! ,G*! 54-<!45! ,G*! +4,04+! 45! N-016,*! N-4N*-,3! 45! ,G*!

<*6+2!45!N-4=:F,04+H!'G02! 5:+=6<*+,67!94:-;*402!G:<6+! -0;G,! F4+570F,2!U0,G! 6+4,G*-!G:<6+! -0;G,.! ,G*!

4+*! 45! *q:670,3H! &6N0,67! 6FF:<:76,04+! G62! 6;60+! 6+=! 6;60+! -*2:7,*=! 0+! 24F04D*F4+4<0F! 0+*q:670,3.! 62! ,G*!

G02,4-3!45! F6N0,6702<!G62! 2G4U+H! %5!34:!F4+20=*-!Z+4U7*=;*!62!6+! 0+=010=:67!F-*6,04+.!34:!6-*!94:+=! ,4!

F*7*9-6,*!0+=010=:67!F-*6,010,3H!W!2,6+=6-=!7*;67!6-;:<*+,!02!,G6,!0+=010=:67!0+1*+,04+2!6+=!F-*6,010,3!+**=!,4!

9*! N-4,*F,*=! 93! N-4N*-,3! 76U2H! %5! Z+4U7*=;*! 02! F4+20=*-*=! 62! 0+=010=:67! F-*6,04+.! ,G*+! ,G*! F677! 54-!

0+,*77*F,:67!N-4N*-,3!-0;G,2!,G6,!<6Z*!2:-*!,G6,!Z+4U7*=;*!02!,-*6,*=!62!F4<<4=0,3!,G6,!02!247=!4+!<6-Z*,2!

0+!4-=*-!,4!;*+*-6,*!<4+*3!N-450,.!F6+!*62073!9*!7*;0,0<6,*=H!%+!,G*!*+=.!2:9T*F,0102,!+4,04+2!45!0+54-<6,04+!

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,:-+! 4:,! ,4! 9*! 0=*474;0*2! ,G6,! 7*;0,0<6,*! N-016,*! N-4N*-,3! 6+=! ,G*! F4<<4=0,3! 54-<! 45! 0+54-<6,04+H!

%+54-<6,04+!02!-*050*=!,4!,G*!2,6,:2!45!6!F4<<4=0,3H!'G*-*54-*!2:9T*F,0102,!+4,04+2!45!0+54-<6,04+!2G4:7=!

9*!2**+!62!9*0+;!0=*474;0F67H!!

W! +4+D-*0530+;! +4,04+! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! +*0,G*-! 49T*F,0102,! +4-! 2:9T*F,0102,H! %5! U*! F4+20=*-!

0+54-<6,04+!62!2:9T*F,D49T*F,D=067*F,0F.!,G*+!0,!02!6!=3+6<0F!N-4F*22:67!-*76,04+!9*,U**+!6;*+,2H!%+!G:<6+!

24F0*,3.! 0,! <:2,! ,G*+! 9*! F4+20=*-*=! 62! 24F067! F4DN-4=:F,04+! 6+=! F4D4N*-6,04+! N-4F*22! ,G6,! ,-6+254-<2!

232,*<2H!%5!24F067!0+54-<6,04+!02!67U632!N-4=:F*=!93!<6+3!0+,*-6F,0+;!G:<6+2.!,G*+!,G*-*!02!+4!+6,:-67!4-!

<4-67!4U+*-!45! 0,H!m+4U7*=;*! 02!6!24F067.!F4D4N*-6,01*!;44=H!]*U!Z+4U7*=;*! 02!962*=!4+!47=.!G02,4-0F67!

Z+4U7*=;*H!'G42*!UG4!N-4=:F*!+41*7!q:670,0*2!45!Z+4U7*=;*!2,6+=!4+!,G*!2G4:7=*-2!45!;06+,2!6+=!:2*!,G*!

N-04-!G02,4-3!45!677!Z+4U7*=;*!54-!5-**!0+!4-=*-!,4!6==!24<*,G0+;!+*UH!%5!,G*-*!02!+4!4U+*-!45!Z+4U7*=;*.!

,G*+! 0,! <:2,! 9*! F4+20=*-*=! 62! 6! F4<<4+2.! 6+! 62N*F,! 45! 24F0*,3! ,G6,! 02! +**=*=! 54-! 0,2! *R02,*+F*! 6+=!

-*N-4=:F,04+!6+=!2G4:7=!,G*-*54-*!+4,!9*!70<0,*=!4-!-*2,-0F,*=!0+!4-=*-!,4!;:6-6+,**!,G*!-*N-4=:F,04+!45!

24F0*,3!6+=!G:<6+2!,4!6!5:77!*R,*+,H!`*0530+;!Z+4U7*=;*.!,-*6,0+;!0,!62!F4<<4=0,3!4-!70<0,0+;!0,!0+!6+4,G*-!

U63.!<*6+2!,4!N6-,73!=*2,-43!,G*!F4<<4+2!45!24F0*,3!6+=!,G*-*54-*!9620F!+*F*226-3!-*24:-F*2!45!24F0*,3H!

`*0530+;!Z+4U7*=;*!02!:+T:2,!9*F6:2*!0,!;01*2!F*-,60+!0+=010=:672!6+=!;-4:N2![UG4!54-!*R6<N7*!G61*!<4-*!

<4+*3\!<4-*!F4+,-47!45!Z+4U7*=;*!24!,G6,!,G*3!F6+!=*-01*!<6,*-067!9*+*50,2!5-4<!,G*!:26;*!45!Z+4U7*=;*.!

0,!02!:+=*<4F-6,0F!9*F6:2*!0,!-*2,-0F,2!Z+4U7*=;*!N-4=:F,04+!6+=!6FF*22!,4!F*-,60+!;-4:N2!6+=!0+=010=:672!

6+=!*RF7:=*2!4,G*-2.!6+=!0,!02!6!54-<!45!<02-*F4;+0,04+!9*F6:2*!0,!=*+0*2!N*4N7*!Z+4U7*=;*!,G6,!F4:7=!9*!

0<N4-,6+,!54-!F-*6,0+;!FG6+;*.!+*U!0+20;G,2!4-!U4-7=10*U2H!Y:,!+4,!T:2,!70<0,0+;!6FF*22!02!0=*474;0F67.!6724!

N-410=0+;! 5672*.! :2*7*22.! :++*F*226-3.! 2,:N*530+;.! <6+0N:76,01*! Z+4U7*=;*! 02! 6! 54-<! 45! 0=*474;3! ,G6,! 02!

:+T:2,.!:+=*<4F-6,0F.!6+=!6+!*RN-*2204+!45!<67-*F4;+0,04+H!!

%5! U*! F4+20=*-! ,G*! *22*+F*! 45! 0+54-<6,04+! 62! 24F067.! G02,4-0F67.! F4D4N*-6,01*! N-4F*22.! ,G*+! -*0530+;!

0+54-<6,04+!02!+4-<6,01*73!5672*H!'G*!-*050F6,04+!45!0+54-<6,04+!2G4:7=!,G*-*54-*!9*!N-6F,0F6773!F-0,0F08*=!0+!

24F067! 2,-:;;7*2H! 'G*! 0=*6! 45! Z+4U7*=;*! 62! F4<<4+2! 6+,0F0N6,*2! 6! +4+D-*050*=.! +4+DF4<<4=050*=.! +4+D

=4<0+6,01*! 24F0*,3.! 0+! UG0FG! G:<6+2! 6-*! ,-*6,*=! 62! ,-:*! G:<6+2! 6+=! +4,! 62! ,G0+;2H! &4<<:+02,!

0+54-<6,04+!*,G0F2!+4,!4+73!6774U!:2!,4!0<6;0+*!6!U4-7=!U0,G4:,!-*050F6,04+.!9:,!6724!,4!5-**!,G*!0=*62!45!

-*147:,04+.!-*9*7704+.!6+=!*RN-4N-06,04+!45!,G*!*RN-4N-06,4-2!5-4<!,G*!F4+,0+::<!45!0=*474;0F67!-*N-*2204+H!

%,!6774U2!:2!,4!=02F:22!6+=!F4+20=*-!67,*-+6,01*2!,4!F6N0,6702<!6+=!,G*!0+20;G,!,G6,!F6N0,6702<!02!+4,!,G*!*+=!

45! G02,4-3H! '4! =02F:22! 0+54-<6,04+! U0,G4:,! 0=*474;3! F-0,0q:*! 6+=! ,4! +*;7*F,! -*050F6,04+! N-4F*22*2! 45!

0+54-<6,04+! 02! 6-*! G02,4-0F67! <02,6Z*2! ,G6,! 6-*! FG6-6F,*-02,0F! 54-! ,G*! F4+,*<N4-6-3! c0+54-<6,04+! 6;*dH!

'G*-*54-*!,G02!F6N0,6702,0F!0+54-<6,04+!6;*!02!4+*!45!-*050*=!F4+2F04:2+*22.!4+*!,G6,!02!0+!=6+;*-!45!F-*6,0+;!

0,2!4U+!W:2FGU0,8!45!,G*!0+54-<6,04+!6;*H!!!

S+*!F4:7=! 0+,*-N42*! ,G6,!<3!6NN-46FG! 02! 0=*474;0F67! ,44!9*F6:2*! 0,! 0<N70*2! ,G6,!F6N0,6702<!<:2,!9*!

694702G*=!0+!4-=*-!,4!-*6708*!6!N6-,0F0N6,4-3!24F0*,3.!UG0FG!F4:7=!9*!2**+!62!6!N470,0F67!N-4T*F,H!Y:,!50-2,.!677!

6F6=*<0F! Z+4U7*=;*! 02! 0+57:*+F*=! 93! F*-,60+! N470,0F67! 167:*2! 6+=! ;4672.! 67,G4:;G! 24<*! 2FG476-2! ,*+=! ,4!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o09!

6-;:*!,G6,!6!167:*D+*:,-67!49T*F,01*!6F6=*<0F!02!N422097*H!%,!02!G4+*2,!,4!6F,01*73!6=<0,!,G6,!,G*-*!6-*!<4-67!

6+=!N470,0F67!q:*2,04+2!,G6,!0+57:*+F*!Z+4U7*=;*!N-4=:F,04+H!%<<6+:*7!M677*-2,*0+![200$\!6-;:*2!,G6,!677!

24F067!2F0*+F*!G62!6+! 0+,*77*F,:67.!6!<4-67.!6+=!6!N470,0F67!5:+F,04+!6+=!,G6,!677!24F067!2F0*+,02,2!6-*!67U632!

=40+;!677! ,G-**! 5:+F,04+2H!'G*! 0=*474;3!45! 0+2,-:<*+,67!N420,0102,0F! 2F0*+F*2! 02! ,G6,! ,G*3!=*+3!,G*!2*F4+=!

6+=!,G*!,G0-=!5:+F,04+.!UG*-*62!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3!=*F4+2,-:F,2!,G02!0=*474;3.!,G*3!6-*!N6-,026+!0+!5614:-!45!,G*!

4NN-*22*=H! %,2! N6-,026+2G0N! 02! 6F,01*H! W77! ,G-**! 5:+F,04+2! c6-*! 67U632! 9*0+;! =4+*.! UG*,G*-! 6F,01*73! 4-!

N62201*73H! W+=! =40+;! ,G*<! 6F,01*73! G62! ,G*! 9*+*50,! 45! G4+*2,3! 6+=! N*-<0,,0+;! 4N*+! =*96,*! 694:,!

2:92,6+,01*! -6,04+670,3d! [M677*-2,*0+!200$E!1$#\H!)*F4+=.! ,G*!+4,04+!45! 0=*474;3!G62!<60+73!9**+!:2*=! 0+!

Q6-R06+!,G*4-3H!W+=!U0,G0+!,G02!,G*4-*,0F67!5-6<*U4-Z.!0=*474;3!02!6!+*F*226-3!c0+1*-,*=!F4+2F04:2+*22!45!

,G*! U4-7=d! [QXM! 1E! o$A\.! 6! U4-7=10*U! +*F*226-3! 54-! 24F0*,3! ,4! 7*;0,0<08*! 0+T:2,0F*.! 4NN-*2204+.! 6+=!

=4<0+6,04+H! %=*474;3! 02! ,G*! c:+01*-267! 96202! 45! F4+2476,04+! 6+=! T:2,050F6,04+d! 62! 74+;! 62! c,G*! G:<6+!

*22*+F*! G62! +4,! 6Fq:0-*=! 6+3! ,-:*! -*670,3d! [QXM! 1E! o$A\H! 'G02! +4,04+! 45! 0=*474;3! N-*2:NN42*2! ,G6,!

G:<6+2!6-*!697*!,4!6+6738*!6+=!-*6708*!,G*!N4,*+,0672!45!24F0*,67!=*1*74N<*+,.!,4!;01*!6!-*6702,0F!N0F,:-*!45!

24F0*,3! 62! 0,! 02! 6+=! 62! 0,! F4:7=!9*.! 6+=! ,4! 50+=!U632! ,4! 0+2,677! 6! 24F0*,3.! 0+!UG0FG! 677! G:<6+2!9*+*50,H! %5!

G:<6+2!6-*!697*!,4!*+;6;*!0+!2:FG!6!-*6702,0F!*N02,*<474;3.!,G*+!6!5672*!2,6,*!45!24F0*,3!02!4+*.!0+!UG0FG!,G*!

4+*!G61*!6=16+,6;*2!6,!,G*!*RN*+2*!45!4,G*-2H!):FG!5672*!2,6,*2!F6+!9*!760=!4N*+!6+=!6+6738*=H!'G42*!UG4!

9*+*50,! 5-4<!,G*!5672*+*22!45!24F0*,3!G61*!5672*!F4+2F04:2+*22!6+=!,*+=!,4!F-*6,*!U4-7=10*U2!,G6,!60<!6,!

-*N-4=:F0+;!,G*!5672*+*22!45!24F0*,3!6+=!,G*!F4--*2N4+=0+;!2,6,*2!45!<0+=H!W!,-:*!2,6,*!45!24F0*,3! 02!4+*!

UG*-*!677!9*+*50,H!'G*-*54-*!6!=02,0+F,04+!9*,U**+!5672*!6+=! ,-:*!F4+2F04:2+*22!F6+!9*!<6=*H!S+73! 5672*!

F4+2F04:2+*22! 02! =*20;+6,*=! 62! 9*0+;! 0=*474;0F67H! 'G*! 0<<6+*+,! 6+=! :+-*6708*=! *22*+F*! 45! 24F0*,3! 02!

N6-,0F0N6,4-3!=*<4F-6F3![Q6FNG*-24+!19$o\.!6!2,6,*!0+!UG0FG!677!9*+*50,!6+=!F4D4N*-6,*H!!

T5"*'$*0)/#'$"

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2G4:7=!6F,01*73!*+;6;*!0+!:+F41*-0+;!6+=!,67Z0+;!694:,!,G*!U4-7=10*U2!6+=!N470,0F67!N-4T*F,2!,G6,!:+=*-70*!

0+54-<6,04+!F4+F*N,2H!%,!U62!2:;;*2,*=!,G6,!,G*!+4,04+!45!F-0,0q:*!2G4:7=!+4,!T:2,!9*!:+=*-2,44=!62!62Z0+;!

q:*2,04+2.!9:,!62!=*-010+;!=4<0+6,04+!45!0,2!0=*474;0F67!6+=!<6,*-067!54:+=6,04+2H!&-0,0q:*!<*6+2!U4-Z0+;!

54-! ,G*! =*2,-:F,04+! 45! -*050F6,04+! 6+=! ,4U6-=2! ,G*! F-*6,04+! 45! 6! +4+D-*050*=.! F4D4N*-6,01*.! N6-,0F0N6,4-3!

U4-7=H!%+54-<6,04+!,G*4-3!F6+!9*!N6-,!45!,G02!N-4T*F,!93!9*F4<0+;!F-0,0F67!0+54-<6,04+!,G*4-3H!!

`*<*<9*-!,G*!*R6<N7*!45!%YQ!6+=!,G*!]6802!,G6,!U62!0+,-4=:F*=!6,!,G*!1*-3!9*;0++0+;!45!,G02!U4-ZH!

%,! 2G4U*=! ,G6,! <*=06! 6+=! F4<<:+0F6,04+! 6-*! 0<N70F6,*=! 0+! 232,*<2! 45! =4<0+6,04+! 2:FG! 62! ,G*! ]680!

-*;0<*H!%YQ!247=!F4<<:+0F6,04+!232,*<2!,4!,G*!]6802!62!commodities!54-!;60+0+;!N-450,2H!'G*!]6802!<6=*!

:2*! 45!<*=06! 2:FG! 62! ,G*! 20+;7*DFG6++*7! -6=04! Z+4U+! 62! ,G*!k47Z2*<N5�+;*-.! 54-! =055:20+;! ,G*0-! 562F02,!

ideologyH!`*202,6+F*!;-4:N2.!UG0FG!U*-*!N-0<6-073!F4<<:+02,!0+!+6,:-*.!,-0*=!,4!<6Z*!:2*!45!alternative media!

2:FG!62!F-0,0F67!7*657*,2.!N42,!F6-=2.!4-!N6N*-2!,G6,!,G*3!G6=!,4!F-*6,*.!N-0+,.!6+=!=02,-09:,*!677!93!,G*<2*71*2H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

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%+!4-=*-!,4!50+=!4:,!UG6,!U62!-*6773!;40+;!4+!0+!,G*!U6-!6+=!,4!*2F6N*!,G*!<6+0N:76,*=!]680!N-4N6;6+=6.!

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9**+!=4F:<*+,*=!,G6,!2G4U!,G6,!N*+67!2*-10,:=*!U62!:2*=!62!N:+02G<*+,!54-!702,*+0+;!,4!UG6,!U62!,*-<*=!

cp*0+=N-4N6;6+=6d! [*+*<3! N-4N6;6+=6\H! )4! 54-! *R6<N7*.! ,G*! k0*++*2*! T6+0,4-! r*4N47=0+*! W<4-,! U62!

2*+,*+F*=! ,4! 1A!<4+,G2! N*+0,*+,06-3! 0+!<6R0<:<D2*F:-0,3! N-024+! 4+!WN-07! 25.! 19#2! 54-! ,G*! cF-0<*! 45!

702,*+0+;! ,4! 54-*0;+! -6=04! 2,6,04+2! 6+=! N-4N6;6,0+;! +*U2! -*N4-,2! 45! 54-*0;+! -6=04! 2,6,04+2d5H!W+! *RF*-N,!

5-4<! ,G*! 1*-=0F,! 6;60+2,! ,G-**! F4<<:+02,! -*202,6+F*! 50;G,*-2! -*6=2E! c'G*! =*5*+=6+,2! �p*-=0+6+=�!

m428,*7+3.!W+=*-2,!6+=!�^4G6++�!p-0*=!G61*!N60=!<*<9*-2G0N!5**2!,4!,G*!&4<<:+02,!K6-,3!45!W:2,-06!:N!

,4! 6+=! 9*34+=! ,G*! 9*;0++0+;! 45! ,G*! <070,6-3! F6<N60;+! 6;60+2,! ,G*! Y472G*10Z2H! p:-,G*-<4-*! ,G*3! G61*!

=02,-09:,*=! 2:91*-201*! N6<NG7*,2! 6+=! G61*! [*RF*N,! m428,*7+3\! F4:-,*=! 70Z*D<0+=*=! N*-24+2! 54-! ,G*!

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2:91*-201*!6F,010,0*2d6![%90=H\H!p*-=0+6+=!W+=*-2,.!^4G6++!p-0*=.!6+=!p*-=0+6+=!m428,*7+3!U*-*!*R*F:,*=!

4+!SF,49*-!22!19#o!6,!,G*!`*;04+67!&4:-,!k0*++6H!

m6-7!Q6-R!=*50+*=!F-0,0q:*!62!c,G*!categoric imperative to overthrow all relations!0+!UG0FG!<6+!02!6!=*962*=.!

*+2761*=.! 696+=4+*=.! =*2N0F697*! *22*+F*d! [QXM!1.! oA5$\H!'G*! *R6<N7*2! T:2,! ;01*+! 2G4:7=!G61*! 2G4U+!

,G6,! 0+54-<6,04+! 02! 0<N70F6,*=! 0+! =4<0+6,04+! 6+=! ,G6,! ,G*-*54-*! ,G*! Q6-R06+! F6,*;4-0F! 0<N*-6,01*! 02!

0<N4-,6+,H!&-0,0F67! 0+54-<6,04+! ,G*4-3! 02! 4+73! F-0,0F67! 05! 0,! 02! 6!Q6-R06+! ,G*4-3.!UG0FG!<*6+2! ,G6,! 0,! 02! 6!

,G*4-3!,G6,!N-410=*2!F4+F*N,:67!<*6+2!,G6,!F6+!;:0=*!N4,*+,067!2,-:;;7*2!54-!6!+4+D-*050*=!U4-7=H!"

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W_S`]S.! 'G*4=4-!MH! [1962\H! z:-! r4;0Z! =*-! )48067U022*+2FG65,*+H! %+! Soziologische Schriften I,! 5$#D565H!

p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!!

W_S`]S.! 'G*4=4-! MH! [1969\H! X0+7*0,:+;! 8:<! cK420,0102<:22,-*0,! 0+! =*-! =*:,2FG*+! )480474;0*cH! %+!

Soziologische Schriften I.!2A0Do5oH!p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!

Wr'>/))X`.!r4:02![19$1O199#\H!%=*474;3!6+=!0=*474;0F67!2,6,*!6NN6-6,:2*2H!%+!Mapping ideology.!*=H!)7614T!

! z08*Z.!100D1#0H!!r4+=4+E!k*-24!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5! _4F:<*+,6,04+! &*+,-*! 45! W:2,-06+! `*202,6+F*.! _6,6962*! 45! ?*2,6N4! k0F,0<2.!G,,NEOO=*H=4*UH9-60+,-:2,H6,O;*2,6N44N5*-=9HG,<7.!6FF*22*=!4+!W:;:2,!19.!200A!6! %90=H! �_0*!W+;*Z76;,*+! �p*-=0+6+=�!m428,*7+3.!W+=*-2,!:+=! �^4G6++�!p-0*=!G69*+!902! 0+!=0*!z*0,!=*2!p*7=8:;*2!;*;*+! =0*! Y472FG*U02,*+! G0+*0+! 5a-! =0*! mK�! Q0,;70*=29*0,-�;*! ;*86G7,! :+=! *0+Z6220*-,H! )0*! G69*+! 5*-+*-!2,66,25*0+=70FG*!p7:;2FG-05,*+!1*-9-*0,*,!:+=!902!6:5!m428,*7+3!6+=*-*!?*20++:+;2;*+422*+!5a-!=0*!Y*0,-6;286G7:+;!;*U4-9*+H! )0*! U*-=*+! =*2G679! :+=! U*;*+! 24+2,0;*-! 2,66,25*0+=70FG*-! Y*,�,0;:+;! 8:<! '4=*! :+=! 8:<!XG-*+-*FG,21*-7:2,!6:5!r*9*+2=6:*-!1*-:-,*07,dH!$! '-6+276,04+! 5-4<E! G,,NEOOUUUH<6-R02,2H4-;O6-FG01*O<6-ROU4-Z2O1A#oOF-0,0q:*DGN-O0+,-4HG,<! [)*N,*<9*-! o0.!200A\H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o11!

Y>W)mW`.!`43H![199o\H!Dialectic: The pulse of freedomH!r4+=4+E!k*-24H!

YX)'.! ),*1*+.! 6+=!_4:;762! mXrr]X`H! 1991H!Postmodern theory: Critical investigations.! ]*U!e4-ZE!?:0754-=!

K-*22H!

YrW&m.! X=U0+H! [2001\H! IBM and the holocaust: The strategic alliance between nazi Germany and America's most

powerful corporationH!]*U!e4-ZE!&-4U+H!

YrS&>.!X-+2,H![1959\H!Das Prinzip HoffnungH!p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+H!):G-Z6<NH!

YS]u.!M475;6+;H! [200o\H!M6-:<! 02,! =0*! m-0,02FG*! 'G*4-0*! Z-0,02FGV! W+<*-Z:+;*+! 8:! 67,*+! :+=! +*:*+!

X+,Ua-5*+H! %+! Modelle kritischer Gesellschaftstheorie.! *=H! W7*R! _*<0-410F.! o66Do90H! ),:,,;6-,E! ^HYH!

Q*,87*-H!

YS/`_%X/.!K0*--*H! [19A6\H!'G*! [,G-**\! 54-<2!45!F6N0,67H! %+!Handbook of theory and research in the sociology of

education.!*=H!^4G+!?H!`0FG6-=24+.!2#1g25AH!]*U!e4-ZE!?-**+U44=!K-*22H!!

Y/`WMSe.!Q0FG6*7H![2000\H!Q6-R02<!65,*-!F4<<:+02<H!Theory and Society 29[2\E!151D1$#H!

Y/`WMSe.!Q0FG6*7.!6+=!X-0Z!S70+!M`%?>'H![2002H!)4F0474;0F67!Q6-R02<H!%+!Handbook of sociological theory.!

*=H!^4+6,G6+!>H!':-9*-.!#59D#A6H!]*U!e4-ZE!m7:U*-H!

Y/`WMSe.!Q0FG6*7H![20056\H!`*T40+=*-E!'4U6-=!6!F-0,0F67!N:970F!24F0474;3H!Critical Sociology!o1[o\E!o$9Do90H!

Y/`WMSe.!Q0FG6*7H![20059\H!'G*!F-0,0F67!,:-+!,4!N:970F!24F0474;3H!Critical Sociology!o1[o\E!o1#Do26H!

Y/`WMSe.!Q0FG6*7H! [200$\H!p4-!N:970F! 24F0474;3H! %+!Public sociology,! *=H!_6+!&76U24+.!`49*-,!z:22<6+.!

^436!Q02-6.!]64<0!?*-2,*7.! `6+=677! ),4Z*2.!_4:;762! rH! W+=*-,4+.! 6+=!Q0FG6*7! Y:-6U43.! 2oD6#H!

Y*-Z*7*3.!&WE!/+01*-20,3!45!&67054-+06!K-*22H!

Y/`Y/rX).! ]0FG4762! &H.! 6+=! `:N*-,! Y*-ZH! [1999\H! &-0,0F67! ,G0+Z0+;! 6+=! F-0,0F67! N*=6;4;3E! `*76,04+2!

=055*-*+F*2.!6+=!70<0,2H!%+!Critical theories in education, *=H!'G4<62!)H!K4NZ*U0,8!6+=!r3++!p*+=7*-.!#5D

65H!]*U!e4-ZE!`4:,7*=;*H!

Y/'rX`.!^:=0,GH![1990\H!Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. ]*U!e4-ZE!`4:,7*=;*H!

&Wr>S/].!&-60;H![1995\H!Critical social theoryH!&6<9-0=;*.!QWE!Q67=*+H!

&Wrr%]%&S).!W7*RH![200o\H!An anti-capitalist manifestoH!&6<9-0=;*.!/mE!K470,3H!

&Wrr%]%&S).!W7*RH![2006\H!The resources of critiqueH!&6<9-0=;*.!/mE!K470,3H!

&Wrr%]%&S).!W7*RH![200$\H!Social theoryH!&6<9-0=;*.!/mE!K470,3H!

_XrX/zX.! ?077*2H! [1995\H! K42,2F-0N,! 4+! ,G*! 24F0*,0*2! 45! F4+,-47H! %+!Negotiations.! 1$$D1A2H! ]*U! e4-ZE!

&47:<906!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

_XrX/zX.!?077*2H![2001\H!Pure immanence. ]*U!e4-ZE!z4+*!Y44Z2H!

Page 66: tica de la informaci³n towards a critical theory of - Christian Fuchs

Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o12!

_XQ%`Sk%&.! W7*RH! [200o6\H! m-0,02FG*! ?*2*772FG65,2,G*4-0*! :+=! ?*2*772FG65,H! %+! Modelle kritischer

Gesellschaftstheorie.!*=H!W7*R!_*<0-410F.!10D2$H!),:,,;6-,E!^HYH!Q*,87*-H!

_XQ%`Sk%&.! W7*RH! [200o9\H! k4-U4-,H! %+! Modelle kritischer Gesellschaftstheorie.! *=H! W7*R! _*<0-410F.! 1D9H!

),:,,;6-,E!^HYH!Q*,87*-H!

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?*2*772FG65,2,G*4-0*H! %+! Kritische Theorien im gesellschaftlichen Strukturwandel.! *=H! ^46FG0<! Y**-G4-2,.!

W7*R!_*<0-410F.!6+=!Q0FG6*7!?:;;*+<42.!#$5D#99H!p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!

_XQ%`Sk%&.! W7*RH! [200#9\H! k4-U4-,H! %+! Kritische Theorien im gesellschaftlichen Strukturwandel.! *=H! ^46FG0<!

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_XQ%`Sk%&.! W7*RH! [200$\H! W-FG*! ]46GE! z:-! WZ,:670,�,! =*-! Z-0,02FG*+! ?*2*772FG65,2,G*4-0*H! %+! Kritische

Theorie heute.!*=H!`60+*-!M0+,*-.!6+=!K*,*-!kH!z0<6.!6$D$AH!Y0*7*5*7=E!,-6+2F-0N,H!

_X``%_W.!^6Fq:*2H![199#\H!Specters of MarxH!]*U!e4-ZE!`4:,7*=;*H!

_eX`DM%'>XpS`_.!]0FZH![1999\H!Cyber-Marx. Cycles and circuits of struggle in high-technology capitalismH!/-96+6.!

%rE!/+01*-203!45!%770+402!K-*22H!

X]]%).! `49*-,! >H.! 6+=! X-0F!MX%`H! [19A5\H!The Ennis-Weir critical thinking essay test.! K6F050F! ?-41*.! &WE!

Q0=U*2,!K:970F6,04+2H!

pW&%S]X.!K*,*-!WH.!&6-47!WH!?06+F6-74.!]4-**+!&H!p6F04+*.!6+=!^46++*!?60+*+H! [1995H!'G*!=02N420,04+!

,4U6-=!F-0,0F67!,G0+Z0+;H!Journal of General Education ##![1\E!1D25H!

prX%))]X`.!K*,*-H! [2006\H!&4<<4=050F6,04+.! 0+54-<6,04+.!167:*!6+=!N-450,H!K40*202!(!N-6R02.!International

Journal of Technology Assessment and Ethics of Science.!#[1\E!o9D5oH!

pS/&W/r'.!Q0FG*7H![19$$\H!]0*,82FG*.!;*+*674;3.!G02,4-3H!%+!Language, counter-memory, practice: Selected essays

and interviews.!*=H!_4+67=!pH!Y4:FG6-=.!1o9D16#H!%,G6F6E!&4-+*77!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

pS/&W/r'.!Q0FG*7H![2002\H!The archaeology of knowledgeH!SR4+E!`4:,7*=;*H!

pS{!K%kX].!p-6+F02H! [200$\H!p-4<!N:970F! 24F0474;3! ,4!N470,0F08*=!24F0474;02,H! %+!Public sociology, *=H!_6+!

&76U24+.!`49*-,!z:22<6+.!^436!Q02-6.!]64<0!?*-2,*7.!`6+=677!),4Z*2.!_4:;762!rH!W+=*-,4+.!6+=!

Q0FG6*7!Y:-6U43.!15AD166H!Y*-Z*7*3.!&WE!/+01*-20,3!45!&67054-+06!K-*22H!

p`W)X`.! ]6+F3H! [19A5\H! MG6,j2! F-0,0F67! 694:,! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3V! 'G*! F62*! 45! >69*-<62! 6+=! ;*+=*-H!New

German Critique, o5![)N-0+;O):<<*-!19A5\E!9$D1o1H!

p`W)X`.! ]6+F3! 6+=! WR*7! >S]]X'>H! [200o\H! Redistribution or recognition? A political-philosophical exchange.

r4+=4+E!k*-24H!

p/&>).!&G-02,06+H![2005\H!Emanzipation! Technik und Politik bei Herbert MarcuseH!W6FG*+E!)G6Z*-H!!

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o1o!

p/&>).!&G-02,06+H![2006\H!'G*!=067*F,0F!45!,G*!+6,:-*D24F0*,3D232,*<H!tripleC,!#[1\E!1Do9H!

p/&>).!&G-02,06+H![200A\H!Internet and society: Social theory in the information ageH!]*U!e4-ZE!`4:,7*=;*H!

p/&>).!&G-02,06+H![2009\H!%+54-<6,04+!6+=!F4<<:+0F6,04+!,*FG+474;0*2!(!24F0*,3E!W!F4+,-09:,04+!,4!,G*!!

F-0,0q:*!45!,G*!N470,0F67!*F4+4<3!45!,G*!0+,*-+*,H!European Journal of Communication!2#[1\H!

?%W]&W`rS.!&6-47!WH!6+=!K*,*-!WH!pW&%S]XH![2001\H!W!744Z!6F-422!54:-!3*6-2!6,!,G*!=02N420,04+!,4U6-=!

F-0,0F67!,G0+Z0+;!6<4+;!:+=*-;-6=:6,*!2,:=*+,2H!Journal of General Education 50![1\E!29D55H!

?%__X]).!W+,G4+3H! [19A#\H!The constitution of society. Outline of the theory of structurationH!&6<9-0=;*E!K470,3!

K-*22H!!

?%`S/{.!>*+-3!WH![199#\H!'4U6-=!6!N*=6;4;3!45!F-0,0F67!,G0+Z0+;H!%+!Re-Thinking reason: New perspectives in

critical thinking.!*=H!m*--3!)H!M67,*-2.!200D201H!W796+3E!)/]eH!

?`WQ)&%.!W+,4+04H![19$1\H!Selections from the prison notebooksH!]*U!e4-ZE!%+,*-+6,04+67!K:9702G*-2H!

>WYX`QW).!^a-;*+H![19A1\H!Theorie des kommunikativen HandelnsH!2!1472H!p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!!

>Wrr.!),:6-,H![19Ao\H!'G*!N-497*<!45!0=*474;3E!Q6-R02<!U0,G4:,!;:6-6+,**2H!%+!Marx: A hundred years on.!

*=H!Y*,,3!Q*,,G*U2.!5$DA#H!r4+=4+E!r6U-*+F*!(!M02G6-,H!

>WQX)D?W`&�W.!Q0FG6*7H![2001\H!&6+!q:**-!,G*4-3!9*!F-0,0F67!,G*4-3V!%+!New critical theory.!*=H!M07706<!)H!

M07Z*-24+.!6+=!^*55-*3!K6-02.!201D222H!r6+G6<E!`4U<6+!(!r0,,7*50*7=H!

>W`_'.!Q0FG6*7.!6+=!W+,4+04!]X?`%H![2000\H!EmpireH!&6<9-0=;*.!QWE!>6-16-=!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

>W`_'.!Q0FG6*7!6+=!W+,4+04!]*;-0H![2005\H!MultitudeH!r4+=4+E!>6<02G!>6<07,4+H!

>W`kXe.!_610=H![200o\H!The new imperialismH!SR54-=E!SR54-=!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

>W`kXe.!_610=H![2005\H!A brief history of neoliberalismH!SR54-=E!SR54-=!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

>X?Xr.!?*4-;!M07G*7<!p-0*=-0FGH![1Ao0\H!Enzyklopädie der philosophischen Wissenschaften im Grundrisse. Erster

Teil: Die Wissenschaft der Logik. p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!

>%'rX`.!W=475H![1925\H!Mein Kampf Volume 1H!Qa+FG*+E!XG*-H!

>Spm%`&>]X`.!M475;6+;H![2002\H!Projekt Eine Welt. Oder Kognition Kommunikation Kooperation. Versuch über

die Selbstorganisation der Informationsgesellschaft. Qa+2,*-E!r%'H!

>Spm%`&>]X`.! M475;6+;.! &G-02,06+! p:FG2.! 6+=! Y*-,! m76:+0+;*-H! [2005\H! %+54-<6,04+67! :+01*-2*H! W!

N-6R*4D4+,4D*N02,*<474;0F67!6NN-46FGH!%+!Human approaches to the universe, *=H!X*16!Q6-,0Z60+*+.!$5D

9#H!!>*720+Z0E!r:,G*-DW;-0F476D)*:-6H!

>Srz.!>6+2!>*0+8H! [2005\H!Weltentwurf und Reflexion: Versuch einer Grundlegung der Dialektik. ),:,,;6-,E! ^HYH!

Q*,87*-H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o1#!

>S]]X'>.!WR*7H! [1992\H! %+,*;-0,3! 6+=! =02-*2N*F,E! K-0+F0N7*2! 45! 6! F4+F*N,04+! 45!<4-670,3! 962*=! 4+! ,G*!

,G*4-3!45!-*F4;+0,04+H!Political Theory 20[2\E!1A$D201H!

>S]]X'>.! WR*7H! [200$\H! Pathologien der Vernunft: Geschichte und Gegenwart der Kritischen Theorie.

p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH !

>S`m>X%QX`.!Q6RH! [19o$O2002\H!'-6=0,04+67! 6+=! F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H! %+!Critical theory.! 1AAD252H!]*U!e4-ZE!

&4+,0+::<H!

>S`m>X%QX`.!Q6RH![19#$O19$#\H!Eclipse of reasonH!]*U!e4-ZE!&4+,0+::<H!

>S`m>X%QX`.!Q6R.!6+=!'G*4=4-!MH!W=4-+4H![19##O2002\H!Dialectic of enlightenmentH!]*U!e4-ZE!)*69:-3H!

>Se.!_610=!&H!6+=!'G4<62!Q&&W`'>eH![199#\H!Critical theoryH!Q67=*+.!QWE!Y76FZU*77H!

>Se.!_610=!&H![200#\H!Critical resistance. From poststructuralism to post-critiqueH!&6<9-0=;*.!QWE!Q%'!K-*22H!

mW`W'W]%.!m4T0+H![200o\H!Transcritique. On Kant and MarxH!&6<9-0=;*.!QWE!Q%'!K-*22H!

rW)>.!)F4,,H![2006\H!_067*F,0F!45!0+54-<6,04+V!Information, Communication, and Society 9[5\E!5$2D5A1H!

rW)>.!)F4,,H![2002\H!Critique of information. r4+=4+E!)6;*H!

rWzW`)pXr_.! K6:7! pH! [19#1O200#\H! W=<0+02,-6,01*! 6+=! F-0,0F67! F4<<:+0F6,04+2! -*2*6-FGH! %+! Mass

communication and American social thought: Key texts, 1919-1968.! *=H! ^4G+!_:-G6<.!166D1$oH!r6+G6<E!

`4U<6+!(!r0,,7*50*7=H!!

r/m�&).!?*4-;H![192oO19$2\H!History and class consciousnessH!&6<9-0=;*.!QWE!Q%'!K-*22H!

r/>QW]].!]0Z762H![19A#\H!Soziale SystemeH!p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!!

r/mX).!),*1*+H![19A5\H!Marxism and moralityH!!SR54-=E!SR54-=!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

reS'W`_.!^*6+Dp-6+F402H![19$9\H!The postmodern conditionH!Q6+FG*2,*-E!Q6+FG*2,*-!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

QW&K>X`)S].!&-6U54-=!Y-4:;GH![19$o\H!Democratic theory: Essays in Retrieval.!SR54-=E!&76-*+=4+!K-*22H!

QW`&/)X.!>*-9*-,H! [19o2\H!]*:*!t:*77*+!8:-!?-:+=7*;:+;!=*2!>02,4-02FG*+!Q6,*-06702<:2H! %+!Schriften,

Volume 1.!509D555H!p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+.!):G-Z6<NH!!

QW`&/)X.!>*-9*-,H![19o$6\H!'G*!&4+F*N,!45!X22*+F*H!%+!Negations: Essays in Critical Theory.!#oDA$H!r4+=4+E!

p-**!W224F06,04+H!!

QW`&/)X.! >*-9*-,H! [19o$9\H! KG07424NG0*! :+=! Z-0,02FG*! 'G*4-0*H! %+! Schriften, Volume! o.! 22$D2#9H!

p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!):G-Z6<NH!

QW`&/)X.! >*-9*-,H! [19#1\H!Reason and revolution. Hegel and the rise of social theoryH! ]*U! e4-ZE! >:<6+0,3!

Y44Z2H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o15!

QW`&/)X.!>*-9*-,H![195A\H!Soviet MarxismH!]*U!e4-ZE!&47:<906!/+01*-20,3!K-*22H!

QW`&/)X.! >*-9*-,H! [196#6\H! X,G0Z! :+=! `*147:,04+H! %+! Schriften, Volume 8.! 100D11#H! p-6+Z5:-,OQ60+E!

):G-Z6<NH!!

QW`&/)X.!>*-9*-,H![196#9\H!One-dimensional man.!]*U!e4-ZE!`4:,7*=;*H!

QW`&/)X.!>*-9*-,H![196A\H!'G*!F4+F*N,!45!*22*+F*H!%+!Negations.!#oDA$H!Y42,4+E!Y*6F4+!K-*22H!!

QW`)>.! ^6<*2!rH! [2001\H!'4U6-=!6!+*U!F-0,0F67! ,G*4-3H! %+!New critical theory.! *=H!M07706<!M07Z*-24+.!6+=!

^*55-*3!K6-02.!#9D6#H!r6+G6<E!`4U<6+!(!r0,,7*50*7=H!!

QW`{.!m6-7!6+=!p-0*=-0FG!X]?Xr)![QX&M\H!Collected worksH!]*U!e4-ZE!%+,*-+6,04+67!K:9702G*-2H!

QW`{.!m6-7!6+=!p-0*=-0FG!X]?Xr)![QXM\H!WerkeH!Y*-70+E!_0*,8H!

QW'/)'%m.!Q6-,0+! Y*FZH! [2001\H! p4-*U4-=H! %+!New critical theory.! *=H!M07706<! )H!M07Z*-24+.! 6+=! ^*55-*3!

K6-02.!100DR000H!r6+G6<E!`4U<6+!(!r0,,7*50*7=H!

Q&&>X)]Xe.!`49*-,!MH![200$\H!Communication revolution. Critical junctures and the future of mediaH!]*U!e4-ZE!

'G*!]*U!K-*22H!

QXX>W].!X07**+!`H![1999\H!&4<<4=0,3.!F:7,:-*.!F4<<4+!2*+2*H!Q*=06!-*2*6-FG!6+=!N6-6=0;<!=0674;:*H!

Journal of Media Economics.!12[2\E!1#9D16oH!

Q/`_S&m.!?-6G6<.!6+=!K*,*-!?47=0+;H![2005\H!&:7,:-*.!F4<<:+0F6,04+2!6+=!N470,0F67!*F4+4<3H!%+E!Mass

media and society.!*=H!^6<*2!&:--6+!6+=!Q0FG6*7!?:-*10,FG.!60DAoH!]*U!e4-ZE!>4==*-!W-+47=H!

Sj&S]]S`.!^6<*2H![199A\H!Natural causes. Essays in ecological marxismH!]*U!e4-ZE!?:0754-=H!!

KW`%).!^*55-*3H![2001\H!S92,0+6,*!F-0,0q:*!6+=!,G*!N42209070,3!45!,G*!5:,:-*H!%+!New critical theory.!*=H!M07706<!

)H!M07Z*-24+.!6+=!^*55-*3!K6-02.!15Do6H!r6+G6<E!`4U<6+!(!r0,,7*50*7=H!!

KSKKX`.! m6-7! `H! [1962\H! z:-! r4;0Z! =*-! )48067U022*+2FG65,*+H! Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und

Sozialpsychologie.!1#[2\E!2ooD2#AH!

`W)Q/))X].!_610=!QH![1999\H!&-0,0F67!,G*4-3!6+=!NG07424NG3H!%+!The handbook of critical theory.!*=H!_610=!QH!

`62<:22*+.!11DoAH!Q67=*+.!QWE!Y76FZU*77H!

`S)X]YX`?.!W75-*=H![19o0\H!Der Mythus des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts. Qa+FG*+E!>4G*+*0FG*+H!

`S`'e.!`0FG6-=H![199A\H!W;60+2,!:+0,3H!The Wilson Quarterly.!22E!2ADoA!

)WeX`).!)*6+H![199$\H!K-4;-*22!6+=!24F067!F-0,0F02<H!The european legacy: Towards new paradigms!2![o\E!55#D559H!

)Qe'>X.!_67762!MH! [19A1O2006\H!S+! ,G*!6:=0*+F*!F4<<4=0,3! 6+=! 0,2!U4-ZH! %+!Media and cultural studies

KeyWorks.!*=H!Q**+6Z2G0!?0;0!_:-G6<.!6+=!_4:;762!QH!m*77+*-.!2o0D256H!Q67=*+.!QWE!Y76FZU*77H!

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Christian FUCHS Towards a Critical Theory of Information

o16!

)Qe'>X.!_67762!MH.! 6+=!'-6+!k6+!_0+GH! [19Ao\H!S+!F-0,0F67! 6+=!6=<0+02,-6,01*!-*2*6-FGE!W!+*U!F-0,0F67!

6+673202H!Journal of Communication, oo[o\E!11$D12$H!

'WrrW&m.!_4:;762H![1995H!Critical theory. A readerH!]*U!e4-ZE!>6-1*2,*-!MG*6,2G*6=H!

'WerS`.!K6:7!WH![2006\H!K:,,0+;!,G*!F-0,0q:*!96FZ!0+,4!6!F-0,0q:*!45!0+54-<6,04+. Information, Communication

& Society 9[5\E!55oD5$1H!

'e)S].!r402H![2006\H!Critical theory today.!]*U!e4-ZE!`4:,7*=;*H!!

kWm%.! p4,0+0H! [2005\H! W=4-+4! F4+,-6! >69*-<62H! 'G*! &760<2! 45! &-0,0F67! 'G*4-3! 62! %<<6+*+,! &-0,0q:*H!

Historical Materialism, 1o[#\E!$9D120H!

MWrrX`)'X%].! %<<6+:*7H! [200$\H! 'G*! 24F0474;02,! 6+=! ,G*! N:970F! 2NG*-*H! %+! Public sociology, *=H! _6+!

&76U24+.!`49*-,!z:22<6+.!^436!Q02-6.!]64<0!?*-2,*7.!`6+=677!),4Z*2.!_4:;762!rH!W+=*-,4+.!6+=!

Q0FG6*7!Y:-6U43.!169D1$5H!Y*-Z*7*3.!&WE!/+01*-20,3!45!&67054-+06!K-*22H!

M%rmX`)S].!M07706<!)H.!6+=!^*55-*3!K6-02H![2001\. New critical theoryH!r6+G6<E!`4U<6+!(!r0,,7*50*7=H!!

M%]'X`.!`60+*-H![200$\H!m-0,02FG*!'G*4-0*!T*+2*0,2!=*-!p-6+Z5:-,*-!)FG:7*V!z:-!6Z,:*77*+!_02Z:2204+!:+=!

Y*=*:,:+;!*0+*-!*0+57:22-*0FG*+!_*+Z,-6=0,04+H!%+!Kritische Theorie heute.!*=H!`60+*-!M0+,*-.!6+=!K*,*-!

kH!z0<6.!2oD#6H!Y0*7*5*7=E!,-6+2F-0N,H!

M%rr%WQ).!`63<4+=H![2001\H!The Raymond Williams reader.!*=H!^4G+!>0;;0+2H!SR54-=OQ67=*+E!Y76FZU*77H!!

MSS_.!X77*+!Q*0Z20+2H![200o\H!Empire of capitalH!r4+=4+E!k*-24H!

z%zXm.!)7614TH![199#\H!Mapping ideologyH!r4+=4+E!k*-24H!

z%zXm.!)7614TH![200A\H!In defense of lost causesH!r4+=4+E!k*-24H!


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