Revolt, revolution, critique : the paradox of society / Bulent Diken.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Diken, Bülent.

Series:

International library of sociology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Revolutions.

Physical Description:

x, 204 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2013.

Summary:

"In contemporary society the idea of revolution seems to have become obsolete. What is more untimely than the idea of revolution today? At the same time, however, the idea of radical change no longer refers to exceptional circumstances but has become normalized as part of daily life. Ours is a "culture" of permanent revolution in which constant systemic disembedding demands a meta-stable subjectivity in continuous transformation. In this sense the idea of revolution is painfully timely. This paradoxical coincidence, the simultaneous absence and presence of the desire for radical change in contemporary society, is the point of departure for the symptomatic reading this book offers. The book addresses the social, political and cultural significance of revolt and revolution in three dimensions. First, it analyzes revolt and revolution as "events" which are of history but not reducible to it. Second, it elaborates on theories that grant revolt and revolution a central place in their structure. And third, it discusses revolutionary or emancipatory theories that seek to participate in radical change. Further, since both revolt and revolution involve the critique of what exists, of actual reality, the implications of the intimate relationship between revolt, revolution and critique are explicated"-- Provided by publisher.

"In contemporary society the idea of 'revolution' seems to have become obsolete. What is more untimely than the idea of revolution today? At the same time, however, the idea of radical change no longer refers to exceptional circumstances but has become normalized as part of daily life. Ours is a 'culture' of permanent revolution in which constant systemic disembedding demands a meta-stable subjectivity in continuous transformation. In this sense the idea of revolution is painfully timely. This paradoxical coincidence, the simultaneous absence and presence of the desire for radical change in contemporary society, is the point of departure for the symptomatic reading this book offers. The book addresses the social, political and cultural significance of revolt and revolution in three dimensions. First, it analyzes revolt and revolution as 'events' which are of history but not reducible to it. Second, it elaborates on theories that grant revolt and revolution a central place in their structure. And third, it discusses revolutionary or emancipatory theories that seek to participate in radical change. Further, since both revolt and revolution involve the critique of what exists, of actual reality, the implications of the intimate relationship between revolt, revolution and critique are explicated"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part I Revolt and counter-revolt 17

1 Revolt and repetition 19

2 The profane 30

3 Revolt as pure politics 42

Excursus I The ghost of Spartacus 54

Part II Revolution and counterrevolution 67

4 The infinite revolution 69

5 Nothing and everything 82

6 Strategy and intoxication 94

7 Mass movement, elections and the medieval man 107

8 Antagonisms and disjunctive syntheses 121

Excursus II Huxley's Brave New World - and ours 133

Part III Critique and counter-critique 151

9 Critique of critique of critique ... 153

10 Critique as communism, communism as critique 166.

ISBN:

9780415495448

041549544X

9780415495455

0415495458

OCLC:

607983031