Digitalization and Critical Theory of Society

Occupation: professor
Affiliation:
St. Petersburg state university
Russian academy of national economy and public administration
Address: St. Petersburg, ul. Vasenko 5/15 app. 46

Yuri V. Asochakov

Occupation: Associate Professor
Affiliation: St. Petersburg State University
Address: Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Journal name

Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya

Edition

Issue 6

Pages

16-28

Abstract

The article is presenting а critical analysis of the digitalization discourse which is reflecting not social innovations but managerial and bureaucratic appropriation of virtualization routine practices. Empirical data collected in the authors’ research show digital technologies usage turning into social routine in the Russian largest cities Moscow and St. Petersburg. For a full revealing contradictions and true direction of digitalization, development of critical theory of society is proposed as continuation of the dialectical line of the Frankfurt School neo-Marxism evolution. The totality of domination structures and social control forms in postindustrial society is analyzed on the basis of algorithmic rationality conception introduced by the authors. Algorithmic rationality has replaced technological rationality of the late industrial age. Post-virtualization tendencies and micromovements in everyday life are considered to be an authenticity revolt against total digitalization / coercive virtualization of social life. That authenticity revolt is interpreted as an emancipation potential and escape from the algorithmic rationality realm.

Keywords

digitalization, critical theory, algorithmic rationality, post-virtualization

Acknowledgment

This work is based on research supported by the Russian Science Foundation (the grant number 21-18-00125).

Received

03.07.2023

Publication date

12.07.2023

Number of characters

38493

Cite

GOST	Ivanov D., Asochakov Y. Digitalization and Critical Theory of Society // Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya – 2023. – Issue 6 C. 16-28 [Electronic resource]. URL: http://ras.jes.su/socis/s013216250024389-0-1-en (circulation date: 18.05.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013216250024389-0
MLA	Ivanov, Dmitry, Asochakov, Yuri V "Digitalization and Critical Theory of Society." Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya 6 (2023):16-28. DOI: 10.31857/S013216250024389-0
APA	Ivanov D., Asochakov Y. (2023). Digitalization and Critical Theory of Society. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya (6), pp.16-28 DOI: 10.31857/S013216250024389-0

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