Knowledge Society – or Contemporary Capitalism’s Fanciest Dress

Abstract

Scholars of social science have increasingly been describing advanced capitalist societies as knowledge societies, based on a series of key assumptions about ‘post-industrialism’. My contribution challenges this new ‘conventional wisdom’ (John K. Galbraith) on several points. I first argue that it veils the ‘dark sides’ of capitalism, i.e. worker alienation, class relationships and class struggle. I then show how knowledge society experts all too often contribute to the individualization of social problems. Further on, I challenge the assumption according to which contemporary human resources management creates a new kind of work relationship based on mutual respect, objectivity and justice. Finally, I try to understand the very success of the new ‘conventional wisdom’. The relative autonomy of science and education might be the most important reason why so many social science scholars as well as ordinary people today believe they are living in a knowledge society.