New Books in Sociology Eugene W. Holland, "Perversions of the Market: Sadism, Masochism, and the Culture of Capitalism" (SUNY Press, 2024)
Feb 21, 2025
Eugene W. Holland, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University and author of 'Perversions of the Market,' discusses how capitalism institutionalizes sadism and masochism. He connects these dynamics to everyday life, revealing moral paradoxes, such as those faced by marginalized individuals. The conversation also touches on the interplay between identity and consumerism, critiques of traditional structures, and the challenges of adapting capitalism in a rapidly changing world. Holland calls for significant societal changes to confront these issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Socio-Historical Sadism and Masochism
- Sadism and masochism in a socio-historical context are not simply individual psychological tendencies.
- They describe broader, institutionalized behavior patterns within capitalist structures.
Sadism, Masochism, and Capitalism
- The Marquis de Sade's work reflects the objectification of individuals as mere means to an end in capitalist production.
- Masochism, arising later, reflects the dependence on consumerism for identity formation under capitalism.
Institutional Dynamics in Sade
- Sade's narratives feature institutions where primary characters, driven by rationality, torture secondary characters tied to sentiment.
- This mirrors how capitalism objectifies human and natural resources for surplus value accumulation.
