The Vulture Theory of Socialism

[Asoka89]

http://theactivist.org/blog/the-vulture-theory-of-socialism


Žižek and Robespierre

I’m a fan of Slavoj Žižek. I’m a bit embarrassed say it publicly and I am not completely fond of the company that my adoration shares, but I can’t help but like the guy. In an era of postmodernism and the “end of history” it is refreshing to hear an academic not only embrace Marx, but the idea of revolution itself.

Of course Žižek is wrong, often, but he’s a lot more entertaining than your favorite academic leftist (our fan club is also more “hip” and probably a lot better looking too). Delving into the contours (and dead-ends) of Žižek’s thought is a task I’m not up for, but I do find it interesting when he talks about politicization and crisis. He is right in acknowledging that class society is characterized by inexorable contradictions that manifest themselves violently. Rare for a 21st century intellectual, Žižek seems optimistic that these contradictions can be molded into revolutionary billows that can hurl humanity forward. His fiery defenses of 1789, 1917 and most controversially, Robespierre, are emblematic of this conviction.

I might be quite an outlier among “anti-authoritarian” leftists, perhaps desensitized enough by the passage of centuries to ignore the butchered in Lyon, because its my inclination to somewhat agree with Robespierre who described the horrors of the French Revolution as “a noisy crime that destroyed another crime.” The crimes of Jacobinism, which were largely a response to real threats to the nascent Republic, pale in comparison to the horrors of slavery, feudalism, clerical oppression and the societal retardation they brought along with them. Though modern liberals are quick to throw Rousseau’s disciples to the flame, they ignore the fact that the Bonapartist counterrevolution brought about far more disorder and death than the left-bourgeoisie’s excesses. We must also not forget that the so-called “good” revolutionaries in the United States were so timid and unprincipled that they kept the institution of slavery completely intact.

So I do share common sympathies with Žižek and I have a tendency to laugh at liberals who proclaim how “dangerous” his ideas are. There are however fundamental problems with Žižek’s thought on politicization and revolution (and just about everything else), problems that remind me of one of Michael Harrington’s critiques of the far left.

READ MORE: http://theactivist.org/blog/the-vulture-theory-of-socialism

[New Tet]

http://www.revleft.com/vb/robespierres-speech-t110544/index.html?t=110544

[h9socialist]

It is no small accident that I use Michael Harrington as my avatar and am a long time member of DSA. However, I am one to believe that all branches of "the Left" have important roles to play. I am also a greatadmirer of Comandante Ernesto Guevara -- and I do not see him as "discredited" by Harrington or anyone else.
There is truth in what Harrington says about the "vulture theory" -- capitalist hard times do not guarantee socialist progress. He was also correct in saying that people are more likely to be socialist when there is plenty -- otherwise one group eats at the expense of starvation of another.
Where I see some weakness in Harrington's theory is that in order for socialism to make progress, capitalism must be weakened. Recessions are times when the capitalists are at their weakest -- and they tend to be periods in which authority is up for grabs (how much authority is up for grabs is another question). Unless the Left is well organized, the capitalists will reassert their authority big time, as they did in the 1980s.
My point is that it takes pretty specific historical conditions to make a revolution, and there is much to be learned from both sides of this argument.

[Asoka89]

You have completely misunderstood the argument.

Radicals CAN benefit from capitalist crisis... that's WHEN they benefit the most. Dialectically things move slowly, but there are periods when everything speeds up and its like History is moving at hyperspeed.

BUT unless progressive forces are organized, unless consciousness is high-enough, etc etc... than these crisis will benefit the RIGHT.

The article was an argument for Marxists to engage in the "strategy of patience"
---

And Che was a great, inspirational leaders in a lot of ways... he was however a Blanquist. Look at the Engels quote that was cited... did it seem like he was condemning him. No he said that he was a brave man who loved the people. Same with Che.

[The Situationist]

Somewhat off topic but vulture related ...


"It is impossible for capitalism to survive, primarily because the system of capitalism needs some blood to suck. Capitalism used to be like an eagle, but now it's more like a vulture. It used to be strong enough to go and suck anybody's blood whether they were strong or not. But now it has become more cowardly, like the vulture, and it can only suck the blood of the helpless. As the nations of the world free themselves, the capitalism has less victims, less to suck, and it becomes weaker and weaker. It's only a matter of time in my opinion before it will collapse completely."

--- MALCOLM X

[phasmid]

I thought Capitalism would not survive due to the fact that there is a finite amount of victims from which to suck, and will eventually devour itself after there is nothing left. :confused:

[Asoka89]

I thought Capitalism would not survive due to the fact that there is a finite amount of victims from which to suck, and will eventually devour itself after there is nothing left. :confused:

That makes no sense whatsoever.

[phasmid]

That makes no sense whatsoever.

May I ask why?

[Manzil]

Er, because of economic growth. And human reproduction.

[phasmid]

Er, because of economic growth. And human reproduction.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean, are you saying that economic growth and human reproduction will grow exponentially? Because that doesn't make sense. We can only go so far before our resources (including space to live) will be exhausted and it only seems natural that the system will then turn in on itself.

Unless of course I've missed the point somewhere........