On the achievement of democracy and the 'impartial' state.
We speak to sociologist Dylan Riley about his new book Microverses, a series of aphorisms on social theory and politics.
The rational-legal state seems to be under threat by politicians who have no sense of the division between public and private – patrimonialists like Donald Trump, or Silvio Berlusconi. What are we to make of this attack on the notion of office?
Anti-corruption politics is often the response, but what happens when the left positions itself as the defender of the 'impartial' bourgeois state – rather than its overthrower? And was democratic capitalism the achievement of a militant working class – or a concession made after the working class had already been disciplined by fascism and war?
The second half of the interview, and our After-Party, is available at patreon.com/bungacast
Readings:
Excerpt: /166/ Aufhebonus Bonus (December)
/165/ Black Spartacus ft. Sudhir Hazareesingh
Excerpt: /164/ Reading Club: Culture of Narcissism
/163/ Three Articles + Censorship ft. Douglas Lain
/162/ Gaming & Politics ft. Jonas Kyratzes
Excerpt: /161/ Culture Is Bad For You ft. Mark Taylor
/160/ Enemies of the People (Large & Very Small) ft. Wolfgang Streeck
/159/ Biden Time ft. Amber A'Lee Frost & Alex Gourevitch
Excerpt: /158/ Three Articles: Cosmopolitan Austerity & Control
UNLOCKED /152/ I Can't Believe It's Not Weimar ft. David Broder
Excerpt: /157/ Reading Club: Emancipation After Hegel
/156/ Cosmo-Jihad ft. Darryl Li
UNLOCKED /154/ A Reasonably Important Election... Preview ft. Alex Gourevitch
Excerpt: /155/ Aufhebonus Bonus ft. Benjamin Moser
Excerpt: /154/ A Reasonably Important Election ft. Alex Gourevitch
/153/ Repubblica di Bunga ft. David Broder
Excerpt: /152/ I Can't Believe It's Not Weimar ft. David Broder
[UNLOCKED] /146/ Class is Cancelled ft. Ben Tippet
Excerpt: /151/ Reading Club: Full Employment
/150/ Shadow Commander ft. Arash Azizi
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