Hans-Jürgen Krahl. Critical theory and the anti-authoritarian movement in the German student movement

Abstract

The present paper sketches the intelectual psysiognomy of Hans-Jürgen Krahl (1943-1970) in the framework of the German antiauthoritarian movement of the late sixties. He attempts to further develop the critical theoty of his mentors (Adorno, Horkheimer and Marcuse) in the social constellation of the stabilised capitalism of the European postwar period. From this framework the paper outlines his contribution to the political understanding of the antiauthoritarian movement of the SDS –which he led with Rudi Dutschke–, attempting to politicize consciousness in advanced capitalsm. Finally, the paper includes some reflection on his attempt to reavivate critical emancipatory theory from the need to rethink the theoretical and political issue of the organization.