an article by Paul Bleakley (University of New England, Australia) published in Capital & Class Volume 42 Issue 3 (October 2018)
Abstract
As a variant ideology based on libertarian Marxism, the philosophy of situationism failed to achieve widespread popularity beyond a relatively brief time frame between the late 1950s and early 1970s. Despite this short-lived period of ascendency, the impact of Situationist concepts such as psychogeography, recuperation and the Spectacle have continued to play a role in the ongoing study of how reality is constructed in a system of advanced capitalism.
Situationism’s concern with the perception of reality as shaped by the mass media is of particular significance in the context of contemporary politics that has been dubbed the ‘post-truth era’. The disavowal of the mass media by US President Donald Trump may give the impression of a Situationist approach that rejects the impact of such reality-shaping tools, yet a closer inspection of his actions suggests that Trump himself is responsible for the construction of a neo-Spectacle in which the recuperation of anti-establishment sentiment provides the basis for the reconsolidation of the position held by the capitalist elite within American society.
I thought I was beginning to understand this but realised that I am going to have to do a lot of study to being myself up to speed. Is it worth it? Maybe not.
Showing posts with label Marxism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marxism. Show all posts
Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Thursday, 23 February 2017
The production and reproduction of inequality in the UK in times of austerity
an article by Alex Nunn (University of Derby, UK) published in British Politics Volume 11 Issue 4 (December 2016)
Abstract
Inequality appears to be back on the intellectual and political agenda.
This paper provides a commentary on this renewed interest, drawing on an empirical discussion of inequality in the UK. The paper argues that inequality should be seen as produced in the inherently unequal social relations of production, drawing attention to the role of social struggle in shaping dynamics of inequality.
However, inequality is not just produced in dynamic class struggle in the formal economy, but also through the social reproduction of labour power on a day-to-day and inter-generational basis. As such, inequalities of household resources at any point in time may be reproductive of greater future inequality.
It is argued that inequality has risen in the UK over recent decades because of changes in the social relations of production in the formal economy and social reproduction in the domestic sector, both of which have witnessed significant state interventions that have increased structural inequalities.
It is argued that, absent of significant change, the underpinning structural dynamics in the UK will lead to further increases in inequality over the short and longer-term. Given this, we might expect to see an already emergent ‘New Politics of Inequality’ intensifying in the coming decades.
Abstract
Inequality appears to be back on the intellectual and political agenda.
This paper provides a commentary on this renewed interest, drawing on an empirical discussion of inequality in the UK. The paper argues that inequality should be seen as produced in the inherently unequal social relations of production, drawing attention to the role of social struggle in shaping dynamics of inequality.
However, inequality is not just produced in dynamic class struggle in the formal economy, but also through the social reproduction of labour power on a day-to-day and inter-generational basis. As such, inequalities of household resources at any point in time may be reproductive of greater future inequality.
It is argued that inequality has risen in the UK over recent decades because of changes in the social relations of production in the formal economy and social reproduction in the domestic sector, both of which have witnessed significant state interventions that have increased structural inequalities.
It is argued that, absent of significant change, the underpinning structural dynamics in the UK will lead to further increases in inequality over the short and longer-term. Given this, we might expect to see an already emergent ‘New Politics of Inequality’ intensifying in the coming decades.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Persons with Disabilities: Entitled to Beg, not to Work. The Argentine Case
an article by Eduardo Daniel Joly (Fundación Rumbos and REDI (Red por los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad), Argentina) and María Pía Venturiello (Universidad de Buenos Aires and CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Argentina) published in Critical Sociology Volume 39 Number 3 (May 2013)
Abstract
The article analyses the structural unemployment that characterises persons with disabilities from a social, economic and political perspective.
As long as persons with disabilities continue to be defined as unable to perform productive work, they will remain condemned to poverty, begging, dependency and a life without projects to fulfill.
With reference to the history and struggles of the disability rights movement in Argentina, it focuses on understanding this struggle as a collective endeavour, aimed at establishing the right to earn a living by working, i.e. via paid productive employment.
It concludes by positing that in the long run, social inclusion can only be realised in a society that is organised so that each individual can contribute what he or she is capable of, with the necessary means put at his and her disposal; and that in return, his and her needs (as they may evolve over time) will be met.
Abstract
The article analyses the structural unemployment that characterises persons with disabilities from a social, economic and political perspective.
As long as persons with disabilities continue to be defined as unable to perform productive work, they will remain condemned to poverty, begging, dependency and a life without projects to fulfill.
With reference to the history and struggles of the disability rights movement in Argentina, it focuses on understanding this struggle as a collective endeavour, aimed at establishing the right to earn a living by working, i.e. via paid productive employment.
It concludes by positing that in the long run, social inclusion can only be realised in a society that is organised so that each individual can contribute what he or she is capable of, with the necessary means put at his and her disposal; and that in return, his and her needs (as they may evolve over time) will be met.
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