The Poverty of Radical Theory Today: From the False Promises of Marxism to the Mirage of the Cultural Turn (original) (raw)
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The article explores why over the past thirty years political theorists largely failed to address the emergence of neoliberal capitalism and the debilitating effects of growing inequality on the lives of ordinary people and on the nature of democracy. The article argues that the predominant focus of political theory from the 1980s onwards on the role of group identity in political action and on epistemological questions of the nature of the self, while having the positive effects of helping theorists to interrogate forms of domination that cannot be reduced to class, also led many "radical" political theorists to downplay how the macro structural workings of late capitalism--and the neoliberal erosion of social rights--limits the possibilities for human freedom. The article concludes by arguing that if radical political theory is to inform political practice it must revitalize a theoretical understanding of social solidarity and of democratic equality.
This article explores why over the past thirty years political theorists largely failed to address the emergence of neoliberal capitalism and the debilitating effects of growing inequality on the lives of ordinary people and on the nature of democracy. The article argues that the predominant focus of political theory from the 1980s onwards on the role of group identity in political action and on epistemological questions of the nature of the self, while having the positive effect of helping theorists to interrogate forms of domination that cannot be reduced to class, also led many "radical" political theorists to downplay how the macro-structural workings of late capitalism-and the neoliberal erosion of social rights-limit the possibilities for human freedom. The article concludes by arguing that if radical political theory is to inform political practice it must revitalize a theoretical understanding of social solidarity and of democratic equality.
Pugh J (Ed) 2009 What is radical politics today?. Basingstoke: Palgrave-MacMillan
Provocative, authoritative and timely ... (NewStatesman) A crisis makes you re-think your life. The recent economic crisis is no exception. All of us are now thinking how the world could be run differently. Despite this, a radical alternative has hardly emerged to mobilise the masses, which begs the question: What is radical politics today? In this book, leading academics, politicians, journalists and activists attempt to pinpoint an answer, debating the issues facing radical politics in the 21st Century. Rarely united in their opinions, they collectively interogate the character and spirit of being radical in our times. Including original contributions from Zygmunt Bauman, Will Hutton, Frank Furedi, Clare Short, Ken Worpole, Nick Cohen, Hilary Wainwright, Paul Kingsnorth, Chantal Mouffe, Terrell Carver, Edward W. Soja, David Chandler, Dora Apel, Doreen Massey, Jason Toynbee, James Martin, Michael J. Watts, Jeremy Gilbert and Jo Littler, Gregor McLennan, Tariq Modood, Amir Saeed & David Bates, Alastair Bonnett, Nigel Thrift, Sheila Jasanoff, Saul Newman, David Featherstone, James Heartfield, Alejandro Colás and Jason Edwards, David Boyle, Saskia Sassen. Explores the spirit and character of radical politics, at this pivotal moment in history. Thirty well known and influential commentators write original 3000 word essays. Offers thought provoking and often conflicting opinions. The only current wide ranging survey of the state of radical politics, post-crisis. Accessibly written for the general public and student audiences. Recommendations "This stimulating and impressively diverse collection of essays helps us to begin re-thinking our predicament. Anyone who finds themselves in agreement with all the authors here must be seriously confused, since several of the pieces offer directly contradictory analyses. But the strength of the book as a whole lies precisely in bringing different political traditions into productive dialogue" (Red Pepper) "This is a bold, brave and timely book. As we emerge, blinking into the light after three decades of neo-liberal darkness, Jonathan Pugh has put together a collection of essays that will provoke and provide clues to the question of what comes next; what indeed is radical politics today?" Neal Lawson (Compass). "an excellent new book of essays" (Town and Country Planning Magazine) "Jonathan Pugh gathers some of the most innovative and insightful voices from Britain and beyond to stage a series of debates on the central issues facing radical politics today. This collection is a model for the kinds of discussion we need to move forward." Michael Hardt (Duke University). ‘A fascinating and pithy tome’ (The Catholic Herald) "At a time when all ideologies are either exhausted or have become irrelevant, the need for a truly radical politics can hardly be exaggerated. Radical politics is about rethinking the common sense, the taken for granted assumptions, of the age. This timely and well-planned collection of essays by distinguished and concerned scholars throws much new light on where we should be looking for new ideas. It represents a major contribution to the ongoing debate on the problems of our times." Lord Bhikhu Parekh "In the present moment of rapid and fundamental political and economic change we need sustained critical discussion of the kinds of alternative politics available to us. In What is Radical Politics Today? leading political theorists initiate this timely discussion by addressing both possibilities and obstacles from a wide range of perspectives." James Tully (University of Victoria). "With impeccable timing, this volume provides a stimulating range of perspectives on what radical politics can offer during this period of crisis and change. It deserves to be widely read and debated." Ruth Lister (Loughborough University) "As the most immediate effects of a global economic and financial crisis seem to be ebbing from our consciousness, the authors in this collection reaffirm the urgent need for a different kind of politics. One after the other they draw a picture of a world ill at ease with itself: addicted to consumption yet unjust in its rewards; obsessed with the idea of the global at the expense of an engagement with the real; aware yet narcissistic. Helpless with fear, paternalism and debt. But the book is, above all, in the words of one contributor 'a challenge to fatalism'. The chapters sketch out a radical politics for the 21st century based on the rediscovery of our human powers to invent and adapt--a rebuilding of the state's management and redistributive capacities, a revaluing of autonomous behaviour and critical judgement, the prioritising of a 'social planet' over a 'social state' and even, a repudiation of near-sacrosanct institutions. No doubt some injunctions will rile, but though this book may fail to comfort, it will not fail to challenge or provoke." Catherine Fieschi (Director, Counterpoint, The Think Tank of the British Council) "There's a world to win, but only if the Left is possessed of bright ideas, inspiring aspirations and brilliant strategies. This book - rich in insight - assembles some of our leading thinkers to consider what sort of Left can unlock the progressive potential contained in this moment of early 21st century crisis. Has the mainstream Left conceded far too much to the liberals and conservatives this last 30 years? If so, what sort of Left can win hearts and minds in this moment of crisis? The answers to these important questions are the stuff of this excellent book." Noel Castree (Manchester University). "This is a wonderfully salutary and visionary collection of widely different opinions on how we can think about our world in these 'interesting' times." Emily Young (Sculptor, and of Penguin Café Orchestra). "Like an exploding star, the radical Left in the UK has disintegrated and its fragments have flown off in all directions. People who once thought they were engaged in a common project can no longer agree about where they are going, yet alone how they should get there. If you feel radical but confused read these essays. They may make you even more confused, but they may also help you decide where to go next." Bob Rowthorn (Cambridge University). "If you are looking for a rich diversity of views and fierce arguments about radical politics today, then this is the book for you!" Achin Vanaik (Delhi Univeristy). "With the aim of understanding the forces and boundaries of a genuinely radical politics, this volume begins to interrogate the models, figures and reach of the structureless moment that currently commands political tropology and life." Avital Ronell (New York University). "Timely, engaging and bold. This book provides intellectual, moral and political challenge for any reader on a question which urgently needs lucid answers: what is it to be radical today?" (former Director of Demos, Associate Director of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, and Policy Director for Australia's Deputy Prime Minister).
Producing a Radical Everybody, Against the Temptation of Populism
The production and exercise of radical political subjectivity is necessary for the further development of humanity, for the further development of our current stage of capitalism or the possibility of moving beyond it. Capitalism-all social production, really-requires challenges and competition in order for it to change and synthesize new modes of its existence. The lack of a radical challenge to the liberal mode of productioncapital, social, or otherwise-is the most pressing urgency of contemporary capitalism. The inherent tendencies of Capitalism toward decay and inherent contradictions necessitate constant movement in order to prevent absolute collapse. Without it, the crises produced by the innate structure of capitalism overwhelm and consume society. What does it mean to be revolutionary in our era of extensive and entrenched capital that dominates systems that examine and produce political will? Can art exercise a revolutionary politic within these systems?
2017
Does contemporary anti-capitalism tend towards, as Slavoj Žižek believes, nihilism, or does it tend towards, as Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri believe, true egalitarian freedom? Within The Cultural Contradictions of Anti-Capitalism, Fletcher presents an answer that manages to tend towards both simultaneously. In entering into contemporary debates on radicalism, this innovative volume proposes a revised conception of Hardt and Negri’s philosophy of emancipatory desire. Indeed, Fletcher reassesses Hardt and Negri’s history of Western radicalism and challenges their notion of an alter-modernity break from bourgeois modernity. In addition to this, this title proposes the idea of Western anti-capitalism as a spirit within a spirit, exploring how anti-capitalist movements in the West pose a genuine challenge to the capitalist order while remaining dependent on liberalist assumptions about the emancipatory individual. Inspired by post-structuralism and rejecting both revolutionary transcendence and notions of an underlying desiring purity, The Cultural Contradictions of Anti-Capitalism offers new insight into how liberal capitalist society persistently produces its own forms of resistance against itself. This book will appeal to graduate and postgraduate students interested in fields such as: Sociology, Politics, International Relations, Cultural Studies, History, and Philosophy.
Marx @ 200: Debating Capitalism & Perspectives for the Future of Radical Theory
The special issue features a debate between David Harvey & Michael Hardt/Toni Negri on the relevance of Marx today, contributions by Silvia Federici on feminism and Marxism, Slavoj Žižek on the future of radical change, Erik Olin Wright on the necessity to transcend capitalism, Lara Monticelli on alternatives to capitalism and prefigurative social movements, Christian Fuchs on Marxian theory of communication and many other excellent contributions as well as the first English translation of a text by Rosa Luxemburg on Karl Marx and a review of Sven-Eric Liedman's new Marx-biography. All articles are freely downloadable, and you can also download a single PDF file containing all the contributions from the link above. With contributions by : David Harvey, Michael Hardt/Toni Negri, Christian Fuchs, Silvia Federici, Slavoj Žižek, Erik Olin Wright, Lara Monticelli, Friederike Beier, Wayne Hope, Todd Wolfson & Peter Funke, Joss Hands, Peter McLaren & Petar Jandrić, Ingo Schmidt, Bahar Kayıhan, Joff P.N. Bradley & Alex Taek-Gwang Lee, Paul O'Connell, Chihab El Khachab, Franklin Dmitryev & Eugene Gogol, Bryant William Sculos, Leila Salim Leal, Paul Reynolds, Ben Whitham, Rosa Luxemburg.
Feminism and Marxism (and more) in Contemporary Radical Left Politics
Counterfutures, 2020
In this article I outline some of the debates that historically manifest in that (frequently contentious) space where feminism and socialism, or more specifically feminism and Marxism, inform, influence, and change the co-ordinates of one another. I outline what was identified by feminists in the 1970s and 1980s as the domination of feminism by Marxism, and contemplate the possibility that there has subsequently been something of a separation of these two (apparently cohesive?) ‘bodies’ of thought—not least as the credibility of Marxism, and of the Left more generally, appeared to diminish in an era of emerging neoliberal hegemony. I tentatively suggest Jacques Rancière’s notions of dissensus and of political subjectivity as guides to support a reinvigoration of the contemporary communist-leaning Left and feminism (in the context of an ongoing state of colonisation), in relationship with—and through—one another.