A Theory of Power

by Jeff Vail

A THEORY OF POWERIn his penetrating analysis of the structure of power and the human condition, Jeff Vail unravels the functioning of our world and proposes a core concept of patterns of power?relationships. This historical critique of hierarchy sweeps from anthropology and psychology to economics and politics, ultimately presenting a model for a sustainable, human-compatible future. A Theory of Power is THE most innovative approach to anarchist theory in a generation, breaking free from the chains of past dogma and integrating the most current knowledge of the functioning of our world.Praise for A Theory of "Very rich, stimulating and ambitious I salute your important work!"-John Zerzan, anarchist philosopher, author of Elements of Refusal, Future Primitive and Running on Emptiness"Fascinating"-Noam Chomsky, author of Hegemony or Survival, described by the New York Times as "arguably the most important intellectual alive."

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Philosophy, Anthropology, Reference

66 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2004

Reviews

[Ben Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read on the structures of power and influence in modern life. I don't know if I agree with all of the author's conclusions but it made me think critically about aspects about modern life. The book is very short - you can read it in an hour- and is free on-line. It left me with some strong thoughts and ideas. Here is the link to the book. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3n0...#

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short but insightful book. It is available as a free download from the author's website: http://www.jeffvail.net/atheoryofpowe....

[Jerome · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book with the potential to be a really good book, the problem, I believe, lies in its size. Had Jeff Vail expanded this 60 page long essay into a 250 page book, it would probably be a book I could heartily recommend.

As a critique of power from an anarcho-primitivst perspective, Vail has cited all of the right sources: D+G, Quinn, Zerzan, Jered Diamond, etc. Additionally, he states in the introduction that the book will be written in e-prime, an approach to English usage inspired by Lord Korzybski's critique of "to be" structures. (Discussion about e-prime has also been a hot topic among primitivists bloggers like Tom Brown and Urban Scout.)

Vail's approach to e-prime appears to be a sort of proof-reading after the fact, where every "is" is replaced by a "seems like." This is an entirely wrong approach to what Korzybski was critiquing, that being the objectification/reification of concepts, through language weighted down with grammatical objects. When language accumulates noun-objects, it because less of a description of dynamic referents and more of an assertion of static conditions, cognitively speaking.

Were the author to spend more effort exploring the nuances of the way terms like "power", "the market", etc. function as dynamic conditions rather than static objects, A Theory of Power could have been a much stronger book. As it is, this is still a good primer on the anarcho-primitivist critique of power, technology, symbolism, and civilization.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read in small doses, as he covers a number of topics within each chapter. I found myself scrawling lunatic notes like, "Depression is the Inner Judge" and "Technology is a virus and we are mere hosts!"

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read in small doses, as he covers a number of topics within each chapter. I found myself scrawling lunatic notes like, "Depression is the Inner Judge" and "Technology is a virus and we are mere hosts!"

[Mark Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would love to know why chomsky thinks it "fascinating". Can't find anything online.
found it a pleasure to read, the range of strands fluently brought together worked to good effect.
though the text was short it was satisfying

[Jeffrey Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough read. Fair warning.