We use such terms as the "left" and "democratic left," but what do these terms actually convey? Most conceptions, especially in the global south, concern not only redistribution of the existing economic pie, but also the expansion of this pie to allow more widespread prosperity in the future. But how do we reconcile this productivist orientation with the need to protect the environment and, in particular, limit the emission of greenhouse gasses?
Hi Richard; very challenger question that you state.
In my opinion you must see " Epistemologias del sur". This is a very smart academic social movement.
which began in the 60s , which raises the decolonization of Latin American thought and proposes a new vision of ethics in various fields , including look back to the indigenous ethics regarding power relations and other relationships , as they the man with nature.
Authors I think you can consult are:
LEONARDO BOFF Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide
GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ. A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, and Salvation
ENRIQUE DUSSEL Praxis latinoamericana y filosofía de la liberación
BOAVENTURA DE SOUSA SANTOS Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide
LINDA TUHIWAI SMITH Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples 2nd Edition
The expansion of economical pie can hardly be achieved on expected scale and without harm for the environment. So all we have is redistribution of the existing pie. The richest people in almost every country really have what to redistribute.
Maybe you have fear that Canada will lose money in the process of redistribution, but the richest people of your country already keep their money in offshore banks. And environment has already been polluted to make that money.
I don't believe that this redistribution can be realized. We already had USSR, and it failed, and not everything was fair in it. And no one wants bloody revolutions.
But in theory the gap between the richest and the poorest can be less.
Thanks, Ebingan, for the references, which I look forward to reading. And Anna, what a bleak view. Is the situation really that hopeless?
I think that global social processes will be easier to manage when new global economics is formed, now we are experiencing the times of change that are usually hard.
In former USSR left politicians often sound aggressive, so I don't want to look bleak, but I also try not to sound like someone who wants to take money from other people.
Dear Anna,
I agree with you that the left is hard-pressed at times of economic stagnancy because it means that, redistribution from growth being impossible, redistribution must proceed by extracting resources from the very rich and corporations. And to do so would potentially create a political crisis as the rich and powerful react antagonistically (as in Brazil today).
But, in principle, "taking money away from other people" is ethically justifiable, in light of the fact that all or some of the wealth of such individuals derives from their good fortune in being born into a wealthy family (and thus inheriting privilege), or holding political power at a time when state corporations were privatized, or trading on favours with bureaucrats and politicians who they cultivate. Redistribution of power and wealth may be political impossible or very difficult, but it is surely not ethically dubious.
I do agree with your implicit point that any return to an authoritarian left, on the model of the former Soviet Union or China today, does not represent progress.
I don't have a recipe, but we can assume that left ideology should become more flexible. Pure equality is not achievable due to human nature, but relative equality (smaller gap) can be achieved. Maybe it will fluctuate with periods of economic crisises but at least it can be practically realized. And better not to hold on antagonism: rich-poor, first world - third world. Some friendly discourse can be created with time.
I think it would be fruitful to read the work of Boltanski and Chiapello on the 'Spirit of Capitalism' in the 2005 version...also it could be useful to compare the standpoint of Badiou on the topic. The works of Castells could be profitable as well. The 'emancipatory' discourse of the Left has to find a way to change, not to follow the 'goverment through change' (imposed through manipulation) but 're-invented' in the different social domains.
"The 'emancipatory' discourse of the Left has to find a way to change, not to follow the 'goverment through change' (imposed through manipulation) but 're-invented' in the different social domains".
It's a good statement, which I couldn't formulate myself, but I totally agree.
And I forgot to say that it is better when the political movement does not oppose itself to local religions (and world religions). It was one of the week sides of USSR and it seems to create disharmony in China too.
Yes, in other words, getting out from the trap...I mean with regards to the lagging behind of the social critique according to Boltanski...
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology