In this podcast, Cooper and Taylor discuss several essays from Pierre Clastres' Society Against the State. They explore the role of language in primitive societies, the importance of reviews and publication history, the significance of 'Anti-Oedipus' and concepts of sexualation, gendered division of labor, ethnocentric definitions and the privilege of writing, writing on the body, power and the locus of power in society, the haunting nature of dead labor, power, labor, and economic transformation, and reflection and discussion on symbolic exchange and coercive power.
In primitive societies, language serves as a form of poetic expression and celebration, highlighting its significance in the community.
Primitive societies redefine technological advancement by prioritizing leisure over surplus accumulation.
Body markings in primitive societies signify the severity of the law and prevent division, challenging Western notions of writing.
The use of covenants in primitive societies creates unity and serves as a reminder of promises made.
Deep dives
The Power of Language in Primitive Societies
In primitive societies, language holds a significant role as a means of communication and a celebration of oneself. It is a form of poetic expression that goes beyond mere information transfer. The singing of men in the society is a solo performance that serves to vent frustrations and maintain the libidinal band. This form of signification highlights the significance of language in the community. Additionally, marking of the body is an important aspect in these societies, serving as a reminder of the severity of the law and preventing division and the rise of separate power. The body becomes a surface for inscription, reinforcing the collective memory and solidarity.
Transformation of Societies and the Role of Technology
Primitive societies redefine the idea of technological advancement by prioritizing leisure and free time over accumulation of surplus. The introduction of metal axes signifies a desire for more leisure time, rather than an increase in productivity. However, the intrusion of external forces disrupts the equilibrium of society, leading to the destruction and coercion evident in civilized cultures. Classers' critique of Marx and Engels is two-fold, as they struggle to explain the transition from primitive to barbaric societies and fail to address the complexity of marking the body as a form of punishment and remembrance in primitive communities.
The Writing on the Body in Primitive Societies
In primitive societies, the body becomes a surface for marking and writing, signifying the severity of the law and maintaining social order. The marking of the body with tattoos or scars represents a refusal of inequality and a memory of the collective law. Painful initiation ceremonies serve as a means to prevent division and the development of separate power. The writing on the body is a reflection of the society's struggle against the latent state and an effort to encode the flux of power. This perspective challenges the Western notions of writing as a means of communication and highlights the cultural significance of body markings in primitive societies.
The Influence of Literary Fiction on Societal Reality
Classers references literary works, such as Kafka's 'The Penal Colony,' to illustrate the anticipation of social realities. Literary fiction can prefigure the most contemporary realities and challenge traditional understandings. By examining the writing on the body, as depicted in Kafka's work and observed in the USSR's prisoner population, Classers sheds light on the extremities of body marking in different societies. The body becomes a site for law, memory, and resistance in the face of social norms and external forces.
The Role of Covenant in Primitive Societies
Primitive societies use covenants as a way of bearing witness and testifying to their faithfulness and devotion to their gods. These covenants serve as a form of memory and a reminder of the promises made by the gods, creating a sense of unity and purpose among the community.
The Power and Role of the Chief in Primitive Societies
In primitive societies, the chief functions as a servant of the tribe rather than a ruler or authority figure. The chief's power is limited, and he must constantly demonstrate generosity, patience, and humility to maintain his position. The chief's power is contingent on his ability to mediate conflicts and solve problems, and he risks losing his authority if he tries to act as a ruler.
The Prevention of Inequality in Primitive Societies
Primitive societies have elaborate mechanisms in place to prevent the accumulation of wealth and the emergence of inequality. Prohibitions against consuming one's own kill, restrictions on excessive accumulation of prestige and power, and insistence on a communal and egalitarian ethos all contribute to a social structure that values cooperation over competition and seeks to maintain a sense of equality among its members.
This week Cooper and Taylor took a look at several essays from Pierre Clastres' Society Against the State: Copernicus and the Savages, Exchange and Power: Philosophy of the Indian Chieftainship, The Bow and the Basket, The Duty to Speak, Of Torture in Primitive Societies and Society Against the state.
I think this is an indispensable companion for not only Anti-Oedipus but Guattari in particular.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
