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This book contends that the impasse of the Left today is in part, a result of an anarchist 'common sense' among activists. The author argues that the vital dynamics of anarchism and social movements need to be combined with a reappraisal of the Communist party and state. While cynicism towards capitalism and existing political institutions is plentiful, this book argues that the Left appears mired in a reactive politics of resistance, unable to formulate programmes for substantive social change.
Drawing insights from the history of the Left, political economy, contemporary critical theory and an in-depth study of Occupy, the author provides concrete suggestions as to how the Left might 'claim the twenty-first century' and realise a more equitable social order. Social Movements and Democracy in the 21st Century challenges activists and scholars to rethink social movements and political organisation, and to actively work towards enduring social change. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of social movement studies, Left theory, critical theory, political sociology and Marxism, as well as anyone with an interest in 'political change'.
Table des matières
Introduction: Confronting the Crisis of Democracy.- Part I Situating Contestation.- 1. The Arc of Contention.- 2. Rethinking Social Movements.- 3. The Dynamics of Capital.- 4. Reconceptualising political strategy.- Part II Contesting the Twenty-First Century: An Analysis of Occupy.- 5. Occupy, Democracy, and Enduring Change.- 6. The Subject of Change.- 7. Locating Effective Resistance.- Part III Claiming the Twenty-First Century.- 8. Reconceptualising Effective Action.- Conclusion: Overcoming the crisis of democracy
A propos de l'auteur
Dylan Taylor is Lecturer in Sociology at Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand. He is Editor of the journal
Counterfutures: Left Thought and Practice Aotearoa
and is a Research Fellow of Economic and Social Research Aotearoa.
Résumé
This book
contends that the impasse of the Left today is in part, a result of an anarchist ‘common sense’ among activists. The author argues that the vital dynamics of anarchism and social movements need to be combined with a reappraisal of the Communist party and state. While cynicism towards capitalism and existing political institutions is plentiful, this book argues that the Left appears mired in a reactive politics of resistance, unable to formulate programmes for substantive social change.
Drawing insights from the history of the Left, political economy, contemporary critical theory and an in-depth study of Occupy, the author provides concrete suggestions as to how the Left might ‘claim the twenty-first century’ and realise a more equitable social order.
Social Movements and Democracy in the 21st Century
challenges activists and scholars to rethink social movements and political organisation, and to actively work towards enduring social change. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of social movement studies, Left theory, critical theory, political sociology and Marxism, as well as anyone with an interest in ‘political change’.
Texte suppl.
“The book is well-written and accessible. It has the great merit of opening up a wide range of issues and ways of thinking about movement politics to newcomers; clarity and ambition are a powerful combination. ... This book is a good read. Readers new to this terrain will find much of value here, while more experienced activists and scholars will still find many points of interest and a valuable challenge in the connections attempted ... .” (Laurence Cox, Interface, Vol. 9 (2), November - December, 2017)
Commentaire
"The book is well-written and accessible. It has the great merit of opening up a wide range of issues and ways of thinking about movement politics to newcomers; clarity and ambition are a powerful combination. ... This book is a good read. Readers new to this terrain will find much of value here, while more experienced activists and scholars will still find many points of interest and a valuable challenge in the connections attempted ... ." (Laurence Cox, Interface, Vol. 9 (2), November - December, 2017)
