#3 What is Alienation? with Rahel Jaeggi

The concept of alienation has a long tradition. Karl Marx famously introduced the concept during the rise of industrial capitalism to criticize the working conditions of industrial workers. Yet some might argue that alienation belongs to the 19th century and has little relevance for understanding contemporary society.

Today’s guest, ⁠Rahel Jaeggi⁠, disagrees and believes that the idea of alienation is more relevant than ever before. In her book of the same name, she revitalizes the concept and calls it “a relation of relationlessness,” in which social subjects are not capable of appropriating the social relations within which they live. Thats not it though. Jaeggi believes that to understand the new rise of fascist and authoritarian parties and leaders in Europe and the United States understanding alienation is crucial.