{"product_id":"the-accursed-share-volume-i-9780942299113","title":"The Accursed Share, Volume I","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this important work, Georges Bataille uses his novel economic theory as the basis for an incisive inquiry into the very nature of civilization. He introduces here his concept of the \u003ci\u003eaccursed share\u003c\/i\u003e, the surplus energy that any system, natural or cultural, must expend; it is this expenditure, according to Bataille, that most clearly defines a society. His examples include sacrifice among the Aztecs, potlatch among the Northwest Coast Indians, military conquest in Islam, and Buddhist monasticism in Tibet. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this way, Bataille proposes a theory of a \"general economy\" based on excess and exuberance that radically revises conventional economic models of scarcity and utility. A brilliant blend of economics and aesthetics, ethics and anthropology, \u003ci\u003eThe Accursed Share\u003c\/i\u003e provides an excellent introduction to Bataille's philosophic work. It will be of particular interest not only to readers of his fiction and essays but also to cultural theorists, anthropologists, and economists of all schools.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Zone Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/15\/1991\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780942299113\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 200\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.70lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.70d","brand":"Georges Bataille","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36645968511132,"sku":"9780942299113","price":23.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_758d8323-7f6f-4f84-8b56-5b0b8540a560.jpg?v=1603862675","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-accursed-share-volume-i-9780942299113","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}