Exploring the failures of past attempts at communism, the importance of faith in communism despite discouragement, and the impact of capitalism on beliefs and ideologies.
Alain Badiou argues that ruptures in civilization create transformative moments that redefine the world.
Badiou critiques electoralism and emphasizes the importance of breaking away from the logic of the party state.
Communism should be seen as an evolving hypothesis and requires belief in human reason and the potential for a planned global economy.
Deep dives
The Communist Hypothesis and the Ontology of the Event
The podcast episode discusses Elaine Baddou's work on the communist hypothesis, focusing on his ideas about the ontology of the event. Baddou argues that there are certain ruptures in civilization that redefine everything and create a new understanding of the world. He explores historical events such as the Enlightenment, the Cultural Revolution, and the Paris Commune as examples of these transformative moments. Baddou critiques the concept of electoralism and emphasizes the importance of breaking away from the logic of the party state. He calls for a reinstallation of the communist hypothesis and prompts a rethinking of politics in order to move towards a more egalitarian society.
An Analysis of Political Revolutions
Baddou examines two distinct sequences of political revolutions. The first sequence spans from the French Revolution to the Paris Commune and addresses the question of how to change society by seizing political power. Baddou highlights the limitations and ultimate failure of the Paris Commune, attributing its downfall to the lack of a cohesive Marxist ideology. The second sequence, from 1917 to the Cultural Revolution, focuses on the contradictions of the party state and its inability to achieve communism or defeat global capitalism. Baddou suggests that the current political landscape is an interlude, urging a reinstallation of the communist hypothesis and a pursuit of alternative forms of social organization.
The Idea of Communism and Its Implications
Baddou discusses the idea of communism as a hypothesis, asserting that the subordination of labor to a dominant class is not inevitable and can be overcome. However, he acknowledges the difficulty in realizing communism and emphasizes the need for experimentation and a break from traditional political and economic models. Baddou explores the relationship between the idea of communism and history, asserting its presence throughout major revolutionary movements. He also touches on the significance of ethics in communism and the importance of envisioning a more just world. While recognizing the limitations of the Paris Commune and the Cultural Revolution, Baddou calls for a rethinking of communism and a focus on social relationships and political activism.
The importance of faith in communism
The podcast episode highlights the significance of maintaining faith in communism as a hypothesis that is continually tested and refined. It argues against dismissing communism based on past failures and emphasizes the need for a rational analysis of historical materialism. It suggests that just as scientific theories evolve through trial and error, communism should be approached with a similar mindset. The speaker contends that communism requires a belief in human reason and the potential for a planned economy on a global scale.
The role of faith and ideals in political movements
The podcast explores the role of faith and ideals in political movements, focusing on the May 1968 protests in France. It discusses how the movement was driven by various ideologies, including self-management and decentralization. The speaker highlights the importance of maintaining fidelity to the ideals of human emancipation, even in the face of failures. They argue that faith in communism requires seeing beyond the discouragement caused by the 20th-century failures and maintaining a belief in the possibility of a better society. The discussion also touches on the literary pretensions of some Marxist thinkers.
