Un don rationnel

Consumption, the first volume of The Accursed Share, is based on two hypotheses : the mass of transcendence energy in any system is destined for waste ; sovereign expenditure (i. e. squander and unproductive consumption) and action (or operation) are incompatible. This second hypothesis leads Bataille to emphasize two necessary facts : if the sovereign moment should be completely disconnected from action/operation, it is also necessary to limit – with rational means – the excessive development of the latter in the interest of sovereignty.