Critical theory and the challenge of globalization

In recent years the concept of globalization migrated successfully from the discourse of the mass media into the realm of social theory and political philosophy. But this migration does not only evince the changes of economic, political and social realities, it also expresses the need to revise our theoretical toolboxes. Theory itself becomes the target of this scrutiny. Do we really need political and social theories, once the illusion of a well-organized social and political world has vanished? The answer to this question leads to critical theory. This article argues that theoretical reflection is important in order to establish a normative frame, which is indispensable in a situation of major political and social transformation. But also that a critical theory of globalization has to learn from the mistakes committed in the past. It has to accept more willingly the consequences of the awareness of plurality and accept the challenge to eliminate its Eurocentrism.