Is Black and Red Dead?

Is Black and Red Dead?

 

Call for Papers: Is Black and Red Dead?

 

 

Is Black and Red Dead?
7th – 8th September, 2009

 

 

An academic conference organized and supported by the PSA Anarchist Studies Network, the PSA Marxism Specialist Group, Anarchist Studies, Capital & Class, Critique-Journal of Socialist Theory and Historical Materialism.

 

 

Hosted By: The Centre for the Study of Social and Global Justice, University of Nottingham

 

 

What is the political relevance of the ideological labels “anarchist” and “Marxist” in the contemporary geo-political climate? Despite recurrent crisis, the costs typically borne by the people, neoliberal capitalism continues to colonize the globe in a never ending quest for profit and new enclosures. Meanwhile, an effective political response from the left to the wars, ecological destruction, financial collapse and social problems created by capital and state has so far failed to garner the widespread support and influence it needs. Indeed, the sectarianism of the left may well have contributed to this failure.

 

 

Still, despite fracture, there have always been borrowings across the left. Most recently, post-’68 radicalisms have contributed to a blurring of the divisions between the anarchist and Marxist traditions. Traditionally regarded as hostile and irreconcilable, many of these ideas find expression in the “newest social movements”, taking inspiration from the Situationists, left communists, and social anarchist traditions. The anti-statist, libertarian currents within the socialist movement have repeatedly emerged during periods of acute political and economic crisis, from the council communists to revolutionary anarchism.

 

 

Is this one such historical juncture in which dynamic reconciliation is not only welcomed but vital? To rephrase the question, what can we learn from 150 years of anti-statist, anti-capitalist social movements, and how might this history inform the formulation of a new social and political current, consciously combining the insights of plural currents of anarchism and Marxism in novel historical junctures? Indeed, to what extent have these traditional fault lines been constitutive of the political imagination? The modern feminist, queer, ecological, anti-racist and postcolonial struggles have all been inspired by and developed out of critiques of the traditional parameters of the old debates, and many preceded them. So, to what extent do capital and the state remain the key sites of struggle?

 

 

We welcome papers that engage critically with both the anarchist and the Marxist traditions in a spirit of reconciliation. We welcome historical papers that deal with themes and concepts, movements or individuals. We also welcome theoretical papers with demonstrable historical or political importance. Our criteria for the acceptance of papers will be mutual respect, the usual critical scholarly standards and demonstrable engagement with both traditions of thought.

 

 

Please send 350 word abstracts (as word documents), including full contact details, to: Dr Alex Prichard (ESML, University of Bath): a.prichard@bath.ac.uk  Closing date for receipt of abstracts: 1st May, 2009

 

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Currently listening : Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever By Explosions in the Sky Release date: 2001-09-04

 

The Deepening Economic Disaster

THE DEEPENING ECONOMIC DISASTER

 

 

With Doug Henwood and A. Shaikh is …

NEXT Thursday, December 4, 7:00 PM
@ New York University, 19 University Place, Room 102, New York

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Volumizer Resurrection Seven

Volumizer Resurrection Seven

 

 

The Volumizer was Glenn Rikowski’s AOL blog. It was started up on 29th September 2005. On 30th September 2008, AOL announced that all of its Hometown products, including its blogs and newsletters, would be closed down on 31st October 2008. Glenn’s articles, many of which were written for his students at the Volumizer, will be preserved at The Flow of Ideas. Work has begun on this project, and the latest articles to be included are now available, as listed below:

 

 

 

2007

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2007) Multiculturalism and Faith Schools, 2nd December, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Multiculturalism%20and%20Faith%20Schools

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2007) Marketisation of the Schools System in England, 25th November, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Marketisation%20of%20the%20Schools%20System%20in%20England

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2007) New Labour’s Policy for Schools: Success, Hype or Just Ploughing on Regardless? 16th November, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=New%20Labour%20Policy%20for%20Schools

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2007) Planet of the Capitorg, 7th January, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Planet%20of%20the%20Capitorg

 

 

 

2006

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Playground Risks and Handcuffed Kids: We Need Safer Schools? 10th November, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Playgound%20Risks%20and%20Handcuffed%20Kids

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Compulsory Consumption: Uni-Nanny, Truancy and Retention in Higher Education, 22nd October, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Compulsory%20Consumption%20and%20Uni-Nanny

 

 

 

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Glenn Rikowski’s MySpace Profile is at: http://www.myspace.com/glennrikowski

Is this the Beginning of the End? Day School on the Crisis

Is this the Beginning of the End?

Day School on the Crisis

 

 

Saturday 29th November
2pm-7pm
The Cowley Club
12 London Road

Brighton

 

 

Anti-capitalist and libertarian perspectives on the financial crisis

Speakers, debates and discussion

 

 

 

 

 

Programme:

 

 

2pm-4pm:

What’s happening and why
The credit crunch and the housing bubble explained in simple terms 
Why is this happening? The context behind the crisis

Followed by questions/discussion

 

 

 

5pm-7pm:

What it means for us
What happened in the 1970s’ crisis and how it relates to today 
Current workers’ struggles around the world and how they are linked to the crisis
Discussion on responses to crisis – What has happened in these situations in the past? What’s going to happen this time? How can we be prepared?
Does this open up opportunities for radical politics?

 

 

 

 

With tea, coffee and cake.

 

 

 

For more ideas: http://sites.google.com/site/radicalperspectivesonthecrisis/

 

 

 

 

http://www.cowleyclub.org.uk
The Cowley Club is a collectively-run libertarian social centre

 

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

 

 

 

Currently listening : Second Wave By Khoma Release date: 2006-04-10

 

 

 

 

Revisiting Marx: Is Marxism Still Relevant?

Revisiting Marx: Is Marxism Still Relevant?

 

 

Ralph Miliband public lecture series
Revisiting Marx: is Marxism still relevant?
Date: Tuesday 18 November 2008
Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building

 

 

Speakers:

Professor Lord Meghnad Desai

Professor David Harvey

Professor Leo Panitch

 

Chair: Professor David Held

 

 

This event brings together leading social and political thinkers to debate the contemporary meaning and relevance of Marx’s legacy on the occasion of the republication of The Communist Manifesto, with an introduction by David Harvey.

 

Meghnad Desai is Emeritus Professor of economics at LSE.

 

 

David Harvey is Professor of Anthropology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

 

Leo Panitch

is Professor of Political Science at York University, Ontario.

 

 

The new edition of The Communist Manifesto, with the introduction by David Harvey, and the new second edition of Renewing Socialism: Transforming Democracy, Strategy, and Imagination by Leo Panitch will be available for purchase at the event.

 

This event is free and open to all with no ticket required.

Entry is on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, email: events@lse.ac.uk or phone 020 7955 6043. Media queries: please contact the Press Office if you would like to reserve a press seat or have a media query about this event, email pressoffice@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7955 7060.

 

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

 

 

Volumizer Resurrection Six

Volumizer Resurrection Six

 

 

The Volumizer was Glenn Rikowski’s AOL blog. It was started up on 29th September 2005. On 30th September 2008, AOL announced that all of its Hometown products, including its blogs and newsletters, would be closed down on 31st October 2008. Glenn’s articles, many of which were written for his students at the Volumizer, will be preserved at The Flow of Ideas. Work has begun on this project, and the latest articles to be included are now available, as listed below:

 

 

 

2006

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) What Can Nietzsche Teach Ya? 16^th October, Northampton, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=What%20Can%20Nietzsche%20Teach%20Ya

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Conforming Schools, Conforming Kids? 15^th October, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Conforming%20Schools%20Conforming%20Kids

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Moneythought in Higher Education, 15^th October, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Moneythought%20in%20Higher%20Education

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Stroppy Individuals or Oppositional Cultures in Schools Today? 7^th October, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Stroppy%20Individuals%20and%20Oppositional%20Cultures%20in%20Schools

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) The Long Moan of History: Employers on School-Leavers, 28^th August, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Employers%20and%20School%20Leavers

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Creeping Privatisation in Higher Education? 6th April, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Creeping%20Privatisation%20in%20Higher%20Education  

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Everything Louder Than Everything Else, 7^th February, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Everything%20Louder%20Than%20Everything%20Else

 

 

 

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Glenn Rikowski’s MySpace Profile is at: http://www.myspace.com/glennrikowski

Capitalist Decline, Financial Crisis and Revolutionary Prospects

Capitalist Decline, Financial Crises and Revolutionary Prospects

 

 

 

Capitalist Decline, Financial Crisis & Revolutionary Prospects
A talk by Hillel Ticktin – organised by Mute

 

Hillel Ticktin’s reinterpretation of Marx’s ideas enabled him to foresee the disintegration of Soviet Stalinism years before it occurred. Since then he has argued that capitalism itself is in a state of inexorable decline. During the 20th century, world wars, reformism, Stalinism and recently the credit boom successfully maintained capitalism by keeping the working class passive. But does the end of the credit boom mark the end of capitalism’s survival strategies? Will the coming recession spark a new working class movement? Come and join the debate.

 

Saturday 29 November, 4pm
The Whitechapel Centre
85 Myrdle St
London, E1
Nearest tubes: Whitechapel & Aldgate East

 

For a variety of views on the crisis see:
http://sites.google.com/site/radicalperspectivesonthecrisis/
And

Mute Vol 2 #6 – ‘Living in a Bubble: Credit, Debt and Crisis’
More info:
+44 (0)20 7377 6949
http://www.metamute.org

 

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Volumizer Resurrection Five

Volumizer Resurrection Five

 

 

The Volumizer was Glenn Rikowski’s AOL blog. It was started up on 29th September 2005. On 30th September 2008, AOL announced that all of its Hometown products, including its blogs and newsletters, would be closed down on 31st October 2008. Glenn’s articles, many of which were written for his students at the Volumizer, will be preserved at The Flow of Ideas. Work has begun on this project, and the latest articles to be included are now available, as listed below:

 

 

 

2006

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) School Fees, Local Education Authorities and the 1944 Education Act, 1^st April, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=School%20Fees%20and%20the%201944%20Education%20Act

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) The Business Takeover of Further Education and the Further Education White Paper, 28th March, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Business%20Takeover%20of%20Further%20Education

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Wolf on Marx without Sparks, 27^th March, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Wolf%20on%20Marx%20Without%20Sparks

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Education and Inspections Bill: A Case of Educational Traducianism, 28^th February, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Education%20and%20Inspections%20Bill%20(2006)

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Higher Education and Confused Employer Syndrome, 7^th February, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Higher%20Education%20and%20Confused%20Employer%20Syndrome

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) On Transhumanism and Education, 1^st February, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=On%20Transhumanism%20and%20Education

 

 

 

2005

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2005) On Education for Its Own Sake, 17^th October, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=On%20Education%20for%20Its%20Own%20Sake

 

 

 

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Glenn Rikowski’s MySpace Profile is at: http://www.myspace.com/glennrikowski

The State in Capitalist Society – 40 Years On

The State in Capitalist Society – 40 Years On

 

 

Call for Papers

 

 

PSA State Theory Specialist Group & Marxism Specialist Group

 

 

One Day Conference

 

The State in Capitalist Society – 40 Years On

 

 

Friday 22 May, 2009

 

 

School of Social Sciences, Leeds Metropolitan University,

 

Ralph Miliband’s The State in Capitalist Society was first published in 1969 and widely acclaimed as a major contribution to the revival of both state theory and Marxist political thought. The book still stands as a key work in the development of social and political theory in the second half of the twentieth century.

 

 

This one-day conference aims to revisit the arguments that Miliband laid out in the book and evaluate their continuing relevance in the apparently very different conditions of the twenty-first century. After all, people still do ‘live in the shadow of the state’ and states still operate in capitalist societies.

 

 

Proposals for papers that address any of the themes and arguments in The State in Capitalist Society, and its lacunae, from any perspective are welcome. For example:

 

 

• ‘The State’ and ‘Capitalist Society’, then and now
• Miliband’s contribution to the Marxist tradition
• The Milibandian perspective, pluralism and the business dominance model
• Connections between business elites and state elites
• The conversion of economic power into political influence
• How does the process of legitimation work today?
• Whatever happened to pressure from below?
• The state in global capitalist society
• What does Miliband still have to offer the state debate?

 

 

Please send a title and abstract (approx. 200 words) by January 9, to

Paul Wetherly – p.wetherly@leedsmet.ac.uk

 

 

Papers will be required by May 1

 

 

Venue: Leeds Metropolitan University, School of Social Sciences, Old School Board, Calverley St, Leeds LS1 3HE

 

 

The Old School Board is in Leeds city centre, approximately 15 minutes walk from the railway station.

 

 

 

Conference organisers: Paul Wetherly, Peter Burnham (p.r.burnham@warwick.ac.uk), Mark Cowling (c.m.cowling@tees.ac.uk)

 

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas its at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Volumizer Resurrection Four

Volumizer Resurrection Four

 

 

The Volumizer was Glenn Rikowski’s AOL blog. It was started up on 29th September 2005. On 30th September 2008, AOL announced that all of its Hometown products, including its blogs and newsletters, would be closed down on 31st October 2008. Glenn’s articles, many of which were written for his students at the Volumizer, will be preserved here at The Flow of Ideas. Work has begun on this project, and the latest articles to be included are now available, as listed below:

 

 

 

2007

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2007) A Capital-friendly Culture for Further Education in the UK, 17^th November, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=A%20Capital%20Friendly%20Culture%20for%20Further%20Education

 

 

 

2006

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) The Last Parents’ Evening, 18^th November, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=The%20Last%20Parents%20Evening

 

 

Rikowski, G. (2006) Education Fireworks! 5th November, London, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Education%20Fireworks

 

 

Hatcher, R. (2006) Privatisation in England – A Reply to Rikowski’s ‘Dentist’s Chair’ Paper, 12th February, Birmingham, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Privatisation%20of%20Schools%20in%20England

 

 

 

2005

 

 

Hatcher, R. (2005) Business Sponsorship of Schools: For-profit takeover or agents of neoliberal change? 5th November, Birmingham, online at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=articles&sub=Business%20Sponsorship%20of%20Schools

 

 

 

 

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Glenn Rikowski’s MySpace Profile is at: http://www.myspace.com/glennrikowski

Mental Labour and a New Issue of ‘Workplace’

Mental Labour and a New Issue of ‘Workplace’

 

 

The editors of Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor are proud to announce our latest issue, which is now available online at http://www.cust. educ.ubc. ca/workplace/.

 

 

The issue begins with a special “Mental Labor” section, which was generously compiled and guest edited by Steven Wexler. We express our heartiest gratitude to him, as well as to web designers Stephen Petrina and Franc Feng.

 

 

The lead section includes:

 

 

(I’m)Material Labor in the Digital Age

by Steven Wexler

 

 

Autonomy vs. Insecurity: The (Mis)Fortunes of Mental Labor in a Global Network

by David B. Downing

 

 

Extreme Work-Study, or, The Real “Kid Nation”

by Marc Bousquet

 

 

From the Grundrisse to Capital and Beyond: Then and Now

by George Caffentzis

 

 

Ideology and the Crisis of Capitalism

by Thomas A. Hirschl, Daniel B. Ahlquist and Leland L. Glenna

 

 

Gender, Contingent Labor, and Our Virtual Bodies

by Desi Bradley

 

 

 

Our regular segment of “Feature Articles” contains the following:

 

 

Capitalism, Audit, and the Demise of the Humanistic Academy

by Charles Thorpe

 

 

Troubling Data: A Foucauldian Perspective of “a Multiple Data Source Approach” to Professional Learning and Evaluation

by Mark C. Baildon

 

 

And our “Book Reviews” section, edited for the final time by William Vaughn, features four new entries:

 

 

Pedagogy and Praxis in the Age of Empire: Towards a New Humanism

Reviewed by Dana Carluccio

 

 

Taking Back the Workers’ Law: How to Fight the Assault on Labor Rights

Reviewed by William Vaughn

 

 

Three Strikes: Labor’s Heartland Losses and What They Mean for Working Americans

Reviewed by Philip Eubanks

 

 

Teachers as Owners: A Key to Revitalizing Public Education

Reviewed by William Vaughn

 

 

 

The editors are extremely thankful to William Vaughn for years of fine work with the Book Reviews, and we are sorry to see him go. We are pleased to report, however, that Steven Wexler will take on the role of reviews editor in the coming issues.

 

Thank you for your continuing support of the journal, and please keep Workplace in mind as a venue for your future scholarship. Send submissions to cscarter@ou. edu or wayne.ross@ubc. ca.

 

 

Solidarity,

 

Chris Carter

Wayne Ross

Stephen Petrina

Co-editors, Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor

 

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

Richard Greeman’s Ecosocialist Book Tour Schedule

Richard Greeman’s Ecosocialist Book Tour Schedule

 

UK November 2008

 

Please forward via Green and Left networks

 

Richard Greeman, the U.S. writer and longtime  socialist / social activist, will be touring Britain this November speaking to Green groups on the topic: “Capitalist and Ecological Collapse: An Eco-socialist Solution.”  He will also be presenting his new book Beware of Vegetarian Sharks, a sharp-witted collection of Radical Rants and Internationalist Essays, Illustrated (Praxis 2008). Greeman, who is based in France, is best known in Britain for his work on Victor Serge, the Franco-Russian novelist and revolutionary. Greeman’s translation with introduction of Serge’s posthumous novel, Unforgiving Years (NYRB Classics 2008) appeared this Spring.

 

Contact: eurojournalistes@laposte.net

 

Dates: (As of November 2nd.  For updates please contact eurojournalistes@laposte.net )

 

LONDON

Fri. 7 Nov:  “Victor Serge: Committed Writer” University of London, Dept. of French, room 108, Malet Place, WC1, opposite Waterstone’s Bookshop.

Sat. 8 Nov: ” From Capitalist Ecoside to Ecotopia:  A future vision based on Historical Materialism, Emergence theory and Castoriadis’ Contenu du socialisme.”  Historical Materialism Conference, Panel on UTOPIANISM. 11:45 am Brunei Building opposite main entrance to SOAS rm B 104.

Mon 10 Nov: Capitalist and Ecological Collapse: An Ecosocialist Solution” at 7.30 pm in the upstairs meeting room at “The Goose on the Green” pub in Catford. Sponsored by Alliance for Green Socialism

Fri. 21 Nov: “Capitalist and Ecological Collapse: An Ecosocialist Solution” 7.30pm at the Lucas Arms, Kings Cross, sponsored by Alliance Green Socialism

 

LIVERPOOL

Wed 12 Nov: “Be Utopian, Demand the Realistic” 7:30 pm at the CASA Bistro Bar on Hope Street opposite Philharmonic Pub

 

GLASGOW: For information update contact eurojournalistes@laposte.net

 

EDINBURUGH 

Sun. Nov. 16: “Victor Serge’s Ecological Vision,” Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 7:00 PM

Mon. Nov. 17: “The Revolutionary KIT: build your own invisible international,” Edinburgh University Chaplaincy, 7:00 PM.

 

NEWCASTLE                                

Tues. 18 Nov: “Is There Hope   After Capitalism?” (Ecosocialism versus Capitalist Ecocide) at 6:00 pm Tyneside Irish Center, 43-49 Gallowgate.

 

LONDON

Fri. 21 Nov: “Capitalist and Ecological Collapse: An Ecosocialist Solution” 7.30pm at the Lucas Arms, Kings Cross, sponsored by Alliance Green Socialism

 

OXFORD

Mon. 24 Nov: “Capitalist and Ecological Collapse: An Ecosocialist Solution”   7:30 pm Committee Room, Wolfson College, Oxford.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Bibliography: To see covers, blurbs, and free downloads of Dangerous Shortcuts and Vegetarian Sharks go to www.lulu.com/content/923573For  Richard’s recent translation of Serge’sUnforgiving Years (NYRB Classics 2008) http://www.nybooks.com/shop/product?usca_p=t&product_id=7159

 

 

Biography:  Richard Greeman studied at Yale College (where he became a socialist), the Sorbonne (where he was active with Socialisme ou Barbarie) and at Columbia University (where he was awarded his PhD in May, 1968 while occupying the University as one of the radical leaders of the student strike). Along with writing and translating, Greeman has been active since 1957 in civil rights, anti-war, anti-nuculear, pro-ecology and labour struggles in the U.S., France, Latin America. He is Secretary of the Victor Serge Foundation and is one of the founders of the Praxis Research and Education Center in Moscow. www.praxiscenter.ru

 

“Ecosocialism is a bet you can’t refuse. Global capitalism in it death crisis is structurally unable to halt ecocidal productivism and the looting of the environment for quick profit. As a result, the planet is likely to become uninhabitable in two or three generations as tendencies like global warming, nuclear proliferation, endless war, flooding, epidemics, food shortages, air/water pollution and destruction of human communities increasingly combine in destructive synergy.

If there remains a marginal (say 1 in 100) chance for human society to survive, it would entail replacing the competitive profit system with a planetary network of producers — a cooperative commonwealth or democratic socialism. Against the near certainty of planetary catastrophe under capitalism, we must bet on the unlikely dream of a harmonious, healthy ecosocialist world. The `Ecotopian Bet’ is one we can’t refuse.

Let us then begin by dreaming the dream, by imagining a technically feasible, ecologically sustainable post-capitalist future and historically possible roads leading to it. One such road, based on theories of cybernetics, chaos, emergence and an idea of Cornelius Castoriadis, I call the New Archimedes Lever. It involves connecting the historically proven lever of solidarity with a philosophical fulcrum (planetary consciousness) and a global electronic platform (the Internet) in order to `lift the earth’ before it succombs to capitalist ecocide.

“Global capitalism is structurally incapable of halting ecocidal productivism and the looting of the environment for quick profit. As a result, the planet is likely to become uninhabitable within decades as tendencies like global warming, nuclear proliferation, flooding, epidemics, food shortages, air/water pollution , endless war and destruction of human communities increasingly combine in destructive synergy.

If there remains a marginal (say 1 in 100) chance for human society to surviv e, it would entail a complete break: replacing the competitive profit system with a planetary network of producers , a global cooperative commonwealth. Against the near certainty of planetary catastrophe under capitalism, we have no choice but to bet on the unlikely dream of a harmonious, healthy ecosocialist world. The `Ecosocialist Bet’ is a bet we can’t refuse.

There can be no future without a dream, no progress without the hope of Utopia. So let us then begin now by trying to imagine a technically feasible, ecologically sustainable post-capitalist future and visualizing historically possible roads leading to it. The ‘New Archimedes’ hypothesis  — based on theories of cybernetics, chaos, emergence and Castoriadis’ Content of Socialism — connects a historically proven lever of worker solidarity and a 21st Century philosophical fulcrum (planetary consciousness) and a global electronicplace to stand  (the Internet) where the billions can unite  in solidarity in order to lift the earth’ before it succumbs to capitalist ecocide.”

— Richard Greeman

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Rikowski web site, The Flow of Ideas is at: http://www.flowideas.co.uk