A Critique of Habermas' Theory of Practical Rationality

261

D I SCUS S I ON

rational value. But the decision concerning the consequences of various policies for the system of communication and authority is an extremely complicated issue that presupposes an exact and total sociological knowledge. This implies that even if the hypothetical situation of free communication could be realized, our inadequate knowledge of society and history renders the rationality of political choices problematic. Lastly, Habermas' theory of rationality overlooks the complex forms of interrelations and interactions between the systems of action and interactions. The only "point emphasized by Habermas in this regard is Marcuse's notion of "surplus repression".36 Ultimately for Habermas, technological development and the rationality of instrumental systems create increasing possibilities for democracy and practical rationality. Marx' theory of forces and relations of production foreshadows Habermas' extreme optimism. According to Marx, the technological developments of advanced capitalist societies contradict the alienating structure of captalist social relations and correspond to a new form of authority structure that is egalitarian, democratic, and non-alienating.37 Likewise for Habermas technology is either neutral or exerts a positive influence on democracy. Reality, however, is more complex than this utopian picture of social dynamics. It might be argued, for example, that there can exist contradictions between the norms of efficiency and democracy. This is clearly reflected in two different visions of socialism. Socialism can be conceived either as a centralized and planning state or as a decentralized and production-for-use-oriented society. Unfor- tunately, the centralized, bureaucratic state with central planning for the entire economy is not all democratic. Habermas' practical rationality is virtually impossible to achieve in such a society. The planning model of socialism, however, might experience some instrumental rationality. Actually, the political strategy of Stalinism was based upon the develop- ment of the forces of production at the expense of democratic social relations. On the other hand, a decentralized model of socialism that may be able to experience popular democracy and participation in decision-making seems to contradict the norms of efficiency and technological complexity. The potential conflict between instrumental and practical rationality is manifest in the classic criticism of capitalism by Marx. Capitalism, for Marx, is characterized, among other things, by a general contradiction between the rationality of parts and the