Abstract

Critique of ideology as it was conceived by Marx is rarely practiced today. However, the need for social criticism is still perceived strongly. The dominance of the neoliberal paradigm sparks plenty of critical analyses, but these often remain fragmented and do not consider whether the Marxist model could have retained some validity today. This essay discusses Jürgen Habermas' theory as an example of an approach which is both Marxist-inspired and at the same time radically critical of the Marxian model, and which may pave the way for new forms of critical analysis of contemporary ideology.