Politics Theory Other Excerpt - Richard Seymour on Luigi Mangione
Dec 27, 2024
Richard Seymour dives into the complexities surrounding the overthrow of Assad in Syria and the surprising public sympathy for Luigi Mangione, tied to the assassination of a healthcare CEO. The discussion explores the idea of the social bandit and its relevance to America’s class struggles and political challenges. Seymour also touches on ‘normie socialism’ and what fascinating books have caught his interest this year, providing a thoughtful reflection on contemporary political discourse.
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Social Banditry in the US
- The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the public support for the accused, Luigi Mangione, reveals potential class struggle in the US.
- It mirrors pre-political protest, similar to Hobsbawm's social bandit, suggesting a paralyzed political system.
The Social Bandit
- Richard Seymour connects the Mangione case to Hobsbawm's social bandit concept.
- He explains that social bandits are pre-political protestors, enemies of the poor, seen as criminals by the state but not by the people.
Modern Social Banditry
- The emergence of a "social bandit" figure in the US, an advanced capitalist society, raises questions.
- It suggests a potential paralysis in achieving meaningful political reform, echoing Bloch's "living yesterday" concept.