Tuesday 9 March 2010

Class, Resistance and Opposition

Historically, philosophy has understood 'class' through an analysis of the lived experience of ideal typical male characters; the characters that dominated the 'shop floor'. As these characters have disappeared from the cultural scene, so many philosophers have claimed that class itself has disappeared. However, class remains a vital force in contemporary societies as it continues to function as a site of opposition to neo-liberal politics.

Class resists today via a politics excess and self-destruction (as such it is now is an underground phenomenon; a ‘universe of the undiscussed'). It is no longer a politics of based on shared values but a nihilistic politics of self-abasement.

Question: is this form of resistance in any way good or useful?

How can we convert this mode of resistance into meaningful and serious political opposition?

Neil Turnbull

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