Human Subjectivity in Modern Social Theories

The article analyzes the problems of human subjectivity in modern social theories that focus on the concepts of "post-capitalism" and "post-labor world." Social theories of such authors as Paul Mason, Nick Srnicek, Alex Williams, and Andy Merrifield are used. The paper describes processes of constructing a "new subjectivity" of a person within the framework of these theories. For example, the influence of neoliberalism on subjectivity, or as it is called, "capitalist subjectivity," and the conditions for the formation of the subject of post-capitalism are considered. In this context, the problems of "neoliberal" ("capitalist") and "post-capitalist" subjectivity, the development of new information technologies and the "network" economy aimed at the formation of a "new person" ("network individuals") are characterized. The article pays special attention to the appeal of modern social theorists to the ideas expressed by K. Marx in "Grundrisse" ("Economic Manuscripts of 1857–1859") about free time, due to which real human development takes place. At the same time, modern social theories emphasize the significant role of "universal intelligence" and "intangible" ("intellectual") labor, automation, and new technologies that reduce working hours and ensure the growth of free time and the formation of a post-labor society and a new work ethic. Moreover, the article highlights the risks posed by the "post-labor world" and new technologies. First of all, the risks of precarization are considered. In this regard, the complexity and inconsistency of the problems of the formation of a "new subjectivity" in modern social theories is pointed out. It is concluded that the problem of human subjectivity requires further analysis taking into account the current socio-economic conditions of the labor market affecting the relevance of professions and the design of civil law relations, which is due to both the growth of information technology and a change in the values of the subject of action.