The term Critical Social Theory is employed in this article following the tradition of the Frankfurt School, and particularly the work of Herbert Marcuse and his interpretation of the political and social philosophy of Hegel and Marx. Discussing the contribution of G.W.F. Hegel to social theory Marcuse argued that: "Hegel's system brings to a close the entire epoch in modern philosophy that had begun with Descartes and had embodied the basic ideas of modern society. His system brought philosophy to the threshold of its negation and thus constituted the sole link between the old and the new form of Critical Social Theory, between philosophy and social theory." Marcuse is right when he argues that determinate negation in Hegelian analysis lies in Marx's foundations when he advocates the "merciless criticism of everything existing." This notion of "determinate negation" has become a centerpiece of early Critical Social Theory. The author opines that Critical Social Theory appears as a negative philosophy not only because it challenges the tenets of the philosophy of positivism (a positive philosophy) but because theory helps to deconstruct the premises of common sense as contradictory and building hegemony. He points out that the lessons of Critical Social Theory for education are clear, and need to be remembered: politics and education intersect continually--there is an inherent politicity of education. Power plays a major role in configuring schooling and social reproduction. (Contains 10 notes.)