Sartre’s Lost Organization Theory: Reading the Critique of Dialectical Reason Today

Abstract

Jean-Paul Sartre’s enormous and often difficult Critique of Dialectical Reason (1960/2004) has largely been forgotten today. But the concepts it contains are worth reconsidering, particularly from an organization theory perspective. The book offers novel explanations of organizations, groups, institutions, power, resistance and technology that remain eminently relevant. I argue that a compelling and fruitful organization theory lurks in the Critique of Dialectical Reason with respect to (at least) three key topics: power/resistance, management hierarchies and technology. I outline the contours of this Sartrean organization theory and present implications and avenues for future inquiry.