The Fundamental Principle
Jean Baudrillard
The central idea is that the economy which governs our societies results from a misappropriation of the fundamental human principle, which is a solar principle of expenditure. Bataille's thought goes beyond proper political economy (which in essence is regulated through exchange value) straight to the metaphysical principle of economy [general economy]. Bataille's target is utility, in its root. Utility is of course an apparently positive principle of capital: accumulation, investment, depreciation, etc. But in fact it is, on Bataille's account, a principle of powerlessness, an utter inability to expend. Given that all previous societies knew how to expend this is an unbelievable deficiency: it cuts the human being off from all possible sovereignty. All economics are founded on that which no longer can, no longer knows how to expend itself, on that which is incapable of becoming the stake of a sacrifice. It is therefore entirely residual, it is a limited social fact; and it is against economy as a limited social fact that Bataille wants to raise expenditure, death and sacrifice as total social facts - such is the principle of the general economy.
in, 'Bataille: a critical reader'
Baudrillard in the catalog