Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
english chelsea fan, this is your last game; we’re not galatasaray, we’re sparta f.c.
how strange is this?
and what is the legacy of 68? i find it difficult to read accounts of the events of that year around the world, since i’m not sure how much of it is simply nostalgia and romanticism.
one narrative about what has happened to the legacy of 68 goes: there was a period - a couple of decades - of the strengthening of a social welfare state after WWII, which slightly redistributed both wealth and political power, in favour of the working classes. and then there was a backlash by the elite classes - beginning in the 70s - in the form of neo-liberalism, promoting individualism and minimal state intervention. thatcher and reagan appeared on the scene, took control, and here we are.
[i think david harvey is the finest proponent of this idea of neo-liberalism as class struggle. i heard him speak once at college, and it was suddenly so clear. his a brief history of neoliberalism is a good read.]
if 68 has any sort of legacy, it’s a very weak one, but the crises of the past few years - wars, economic bubbles bursting, etc. - are, i think, making more people aware of where we’re heading. and i don’t want to believe people won’t care enough to do something.
a footnote, which sort of links back to an earlier discussion: ramones formed in 74, sex pistols and buzzcocks in 75, the clash in 76, gang of four in 77.
March 23rd, 2008 at 1:16 am
an_unsuitable_boy said:
hmmm, am i missing something about the title of the post? one thing about obama’s speech which struck me which relates to your post is the choice b/w focusing on distractions rather than the underlying issues.
in a way, john edwards’ ideas are being validated although my problem with him was never that he didn’t have good ideas but that he wouldn’t be able to win over independents like obama and his change in philosophy had come about almost too quickly.
also, i guess its hard for us as well educated, urban, people who clearly benefit from neo-liberalsm to truly critique it effectively. this goes for opinion makers in general who are all based in places which have benefited from globalisation.
oh, read false dawn: the delusions of global capitalism by john gray. absolutely brilliant book.
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 am
al-tahafut said:
“the fall, a band by which, in our house, all others are judged.” - john peel
i still feel john edwards was the best of the lot. ralph nader, i admire and respect, but his campaign is really just an exercise in magical realism, i think.
i’d disagree with the idea that it’s difficult for people who benefit from neo-liberalism to critique it effectively. these people have a first-hand view of the inner workings of the neo-liberal apparatus, just like those who are exploited by it. the only thing is that people who benefit from something just tend not to think about it critically - why analyse a good thing, right?
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 am
al-tahafut said:
oh, btw, that’s not the real video for the song. it’s set to parts of a jan švankmajer film. seen any of his stuff? surrealistically brilliant.
and, i’m afraid chelsea’s upcoming trip to istanbul will end in sorrow for the blues. =)