I review Engels's political and theoretical writings - after Marx's death. I focus on philosophy,... more I review Engels's political and theoretical writings - after Marx's death. I focus on philosophy, historical materialism, the critique of politics, and the critique of political economy.
I review of Engels's years after Marx with a concentration on politics, philosophy, historical ma... more I review of Engels's years after Marx with a concentration on politics, philosophy, historical materialism, the critique of political economy, and the critique of politics.
O objetivo deste artigo é analisar alguns aspectos da obra e da trajetória política de Daniel Ben... more O objetivo deste artigo é analisar alguns aspectos da obra e da trajetória política de Daniel Bensaïd, em particular à luz da noção de crise revolucionária, da virada histórica dos anos 80 e da influência de Walter Benjamin na reflexão teórica bensaïdiana. Para tanto, são considerados fundamentalmente textos de Daniel Bensaïd, desde sua juventude até a sua maturidade, e os contextos que atravessaram sua trajetória. O modo como retoma a herança revolucionária permitiu a Bensaïd estabelecer as bases para uma atualização do marxismo, desempenhando uma função de ponte entre a tradição do marxismo clássico, do marxismo ocidental e de um marxismo que poderia ser chamado de aberto.
Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: ... more Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: Louis Althusser and his circle formed around Reading “Capital” and Daniel Bensaïd’s own reading of Marx, inspired by Trotskyist thought. This essay examines the confrontation between Althusser’s and Bensaïd’s theories of plural temporality to demonstrate their points of agreement and disagreement, out of which a concrete theory of history becomes discernible. The essay does not simply reiterate Bensaïd’s critique of Althusser but explores the two theorists in their complexity to show that many unresolved problems of Marxism remain.
Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: ... more Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: Louis Althusser and his circle formed around Reading “Capital” and Daniel Bensaïd’s own reading of Marx, inspired by Trotskyist thought. This essay examines the confrontation between Althusser’s and Bensaïd’s theories of plural temporality to demonstrate their points of agreement and disagreement, out of which a concrete theory of history becomes discernible. The essay does not simply reiterate Bensaïd’s critique of Althusser but explores the two theorists in their complexity to show that many unresolved problems of Marxism remain.
Here, Darren Roso enters an ongoing debate in the pages of Spectre, regarding the role of philoso... more Here, Darren Roso enters an ongoing debate in the pages of Spectre, regarding the role of philosophy and metaphysics as a ground and resource for Marxist strategy. For other entries in this debate, please see the following articles:
Aaron Jaffe, “Marxism, Spinoza, and the ‘Radical’ Enlightenment” Landon Frim and Harrison Fluss, “Reason is Red” Neil Braganza, “Philosophy as Life-Making Struggle” Darren Roso, “Materialism and the Crisis of Marxism” William Clare, Roberts, “On ‘Being Serious About Ideas’: a Rejoinder”
Emma and August Wiechelt in front of the garden shed named 'Renatenhäuschen' in Hanover. Private ... more Emma and August Wiechelt in front of the garden shed named 'Renatenhäuschen' in Hanover. Private archive Renee Goddard 445 Werner with his niece Irene Scholem and his daughter Renate Scholem. Private archive Renee Goddard 446 German and Austrian Alpine Club sign banning Jewish hikers and members of the liberal 'Donauland' section from entering a mountain hut, circa 1924.
In the following article, I situate Daniel Bensaïd's 'Strategy and Politics' within the different... more In the following article, I situate Daniel Bensaïd's 'Strategy and Politics' within the different phases of his thinking about strategy as well as his own general theoretical background that informs parts of the text.
Michael Heinrich has raised the standards of biographical writing with Karl Marx and the Birth of... more Michael Heinrich has raised the standards of biographical writing with Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society. In content and scope, it is an unparalleled work of scholarship. It makes Marx relevant to our understanding of capitalist society, while cutting down the overgrown myths about him. It confronts those sworn enemies of Marx's thought with the weapons of critique. It will challenge the ways avid readers of Marx think about the meaning his times, concepts and ideas have for the present.
Darren Roso reviews a new biography of Werner Scholem, a leading figure in the ultra-left faction... more Darren Roso reviews a new biography of Werner Scholem, a leading figure in the ultra-left faction of the German Communist Party during the tumultuous Weimar republic.
Shiva Tabari (pseudonym) is a Tehran based Marxist who has been politically active since the Gree... more Shiva Tabari (pseudonym) is a Tehran based Marxist who has been politically active since the Green Movement of 2009. Last November's heroic uprising of the Iranian working class and the poor was the biggest rebellion since the downfall of the Shah in 1979. Yet the Islamic Republic is far more powerful and stronger than the Shah ever was, meaning a much deeper revolution than the last Iranian Revolution is necessary if genuine social and political democracy is to be won. The November uprising witnessed well over 7,000 activists arrested and over a thousand murdered. Family members of protesters were kidnapped and forcibly disappeared. The uprising faced severe tests owing to the brutal repression of the regime. Political tests will continue, because any contingent factor, like a rise in the price of eggs, fuel or bread, the suicide of a poor unemployed person, or a political crisis for the regime, could trigger a new wave of mass protests. Almost half of Iran's population live at or below the poverty line, which underscores the further possibility of revolt and social explosions. But the resistance needs to get more organised and more developed in order to confront two enemies: the ruling Iranian political regime, and the United States' imperialist aggressions. A renewed wave of mass struggle needs to weaken the repressive power of the Iranian state or it will suffer another defeat. Socialists across the world, especially in Australia, need to fight against their own imperialist aggressors who are fanning the furies of renewed war behind Trump's banner. But socialists in the West also need to pay close attention to the dynamics in Iran and the political questions the rebellion raises. They need to stand with a firm commitment to the liberation of workers and the poor of Iran. Unfortunately, many on the Anglophone left who signed the Letter Against US Imperialism (Angela Davis, Doug Henwood and Vijay Prashad among others) gave critical support to the Iranian autocracy in fact by calling for "political stability" and their reduction of protesters to "native informants and cheerleaders" of US-imperialism. These signatures debase the very meaning of socialism.
Daniel Bensaïd's theoretical and political framework deserves to be habitually known in the Engli... more Daniel Bensaïd's theoretical and political framework deserves to be habitually known in the English-speaking world. His philosophical work has a universal dimension, but because it was also the product of particular political upsurges and downturns, it is necessary to understand these particular political moments to thoroughly understand the universal scope and significance of his work. This paper will look at these political developments (with a focus on France) and pay particular attention to the crisis of the workers' movement, strategy and Marxism.
Philosophe et militant à la Ligue communiste révolutionnaire, Daniel Bensaïd est mort il y a dix ... more Philosophe et militant à la Ligue communiste révolutionnaire, Daniel Bensaïd est mort il y a dix ans. Dans ce texte qui paraît en même temps sur Contretemps, Darren Roso, biographe de Bensaïd, revient sur les apports spécifiques de ce dernier à la lecture de Marx. En effet, la lecture bensaïdienne de Marx est avant tout une lecture stratégique et politique pouvant alimenter les luttes d’aujourd’hui.
I present the trajectory and development of the Revolutionary Communist League through an assessm... more I present the trajectory and development of the Revolutionary Communist League through an assessment of Daniel Bensaïd's political thought.
I review Engels's political and theoretical writings - after Marx's death. I focus on philosophy,... more I review Engels's political and theoretical writings - after Marx's death. I focus on philosophy, historical materialism, the critique of politics, and the critique of political economy.
I review of Engels's years after Marx with a concentration on politics, philosophy, historical ma... more I review of Engels's years after Marx with a concentration on politics, philosophy, historical materialism, the critique of political economy, and the critique of politics.
O objetivo deste artigo é analisar alguns aspectos da obra e da trajetória política de Daniel Ben... more O objetivo deste artigo é analisar alguns aspectos da obra e da trajetória política de Daniel Bensaïd, em particular à luz da noção de crise revolucionária, da virada histórica dos anos 80 e da influência de Walter Benjamin na reflexão teórica bensaïdiana. Para tanto, são considerados fundamentalmente textos de Daniel Bensaïd, desde sua juventude até a sua maturidade, e os contextos que atravessaram sua trajetória. O modo como retoma a herança revolucionária permitiu a Bensaïd estabelecer as bases para uma atualização do marxismo, desempenhando uma função de ponte entre a tradição do marxismo clássico, do marxismo ocidental e de um marxismo que poderia ser chamado de aberto.
Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: ... more Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: Louis Althusser and his circle formed around Reading “Capital” and Daniel Bensaïd’s own reading of Marx, inspired by Trotskyist thought. This essay examines the confrontation between Althusser’s and Bensaïd’s theories of plural temporality to demonstrate their points of agreement and disagreement, out of which a concrete theory of history becomes discernible. The essay does not simply reiterate Bensaïd’s critique of Althusser but explores the two theorists in their complexity to show that many unresolved problems of Marxism remain.
Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: ... more Two distinct traditions of French Marxism have deconstructed a linear representation of history: Louis Althusser and his circle formed around Reading “Capital” and Daniel Bensaïd’s own reading of Marx, inspired by Trotskyist thought. This essay examines the confrontation between Althusser’s and Bensaïd’s theories of plural temporality to demonstrate their points of agreement and disagreement, out of which a concrete theory of history becomes discernible. The essay does not simply reiterate Bensaïd’s critique of Althusser but explores the two theorists in their complexity to show that many unresolved problems of Marxism remain.
Here, Darren Roso enters an ongoing debate in the pages of Spectre, regarding the role of philoso... more Here, Darren Roso enters an ongoing debate in the pages of Spectre, regarding the role of philosophy and metaphysics as a ground and resource for Marxist strategy. For other entries in this debate, please see the following articles:
Aaron Jaffe, “Marxism, Spinoza, and the ‘Radical’ Enlightenment” Landon Frim and Harrison Fluss, “Reason is Red” Neil Braganza, “Philosophy as Life-Making Struggle” Darren Roso, “Materialism and the Crisis of Marxism” William Clare, Roberts, “On ‘Being Serious About Ideas’: a Rejoinder”
Emma and August Wiechelt in front of the garden shed named 'Renatenhäuschen' in Hanover. Private ... more Emma and August Wiechelt in front of the garden shed named 'Renatenhäuschen' in Hanover. Private archive Renee Goddard 445 Werner with his niece Irene Scholem and his daughter Renate Scholem. Private archive Renee Goddard 446 German and Austrian Alpine Club sign banning Jewish hikers and members of the liberal 'Donauland' section from entering a mountain hut, circa 1924.
In the following article, I situate Daniel Bensaïd's 'Strategy and Politics' within the different... more In the following article, I situate Daniel Bensaïd's 'Strategy and Politics' within the different phases of his thinking about strategy as well as his own general theoretical background that informs parts of the text.
Michael Heinrich has raised the standards of biographical writing with Karl Marx and the Birth of... more Michael Heinrich has raised the standards of biographical writing with Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society. In content and scope, it is an unparalleled work of scholarship. It makes Marx relevant to our understanding of capitalist society, while cutting down the overgrown myths about him. It confronts those sworn enemies of Marx's thought with the weapons of critique. It will challenge the ways avid readers of Marx think about the meaning his times, concepts and ideas have for the present.
Darren Roso reviews a new biography of Werner Scholem, a leading figure in the ultra-left faction... more Darren Roso reviews a new biography of Werner Scholem, a leading figure in the ultra-left faction of the German Communist Party during the tumultuous Weimar republic.
Shiva Tabari (pseudonym) is a Tehran based Marxist who has been politically active since the Gree... more Shiva Tabari (pseudonym) is a Tehran based Marxist who has been politically active since the Green Movement of 2009. Last November's heroic uprising of the Iranian working class and the poor was the biggest rebellion since the downfall of the Shah in 1979. Yet the Islamic Republic is far more powerful and stronger than the Shah ever was, meaning a much deeper revolution than the last Iranian Revolution is necessary if genuine social and political democracy is to be won. The November uprising witnessed well over 7,000 activists arrested and over a thousand murdered. Family members of protesters were kidnapped and forcibly disappeared. The uprising faced severe tests owing to the brutal repression of the regime. Political tests will continue, because any contingent factor, like a rise in the price of eggs, fuel or bread, the suicide of a poor unemployed person, or a political crisis for the regime, could trigger a new wave of mass protests. Almost half of Iran's population live at or below the poverty line, which underscores the further possibility of revolt and social explosions. But the resistance needs to get more organised and more developed in order to confront two enemies: the ruling Iranian political regime, and the United States' imperialist aggressions. A renewed wave of mass struggle needs to weaken the repressive power of the Iranian state or it will suffer another defeat. Socialists across the world, especially in Australia, need to fight against their own imperialist aggressors who are fanning the furies of renewed war behind Trump's banner. But socialists in the West also need to pay close attention to the dynamics in Iran and the political questions the rebellion raises. They need to stand with a firm commitment to the liberation of workers and the poor of Iran. Unfortunately, many on the Anglophone left who signed the Letter Against US Imperialism (Angela Davis, Doug Henwood and Vijay Prashad among others) gave critical support to the Iranian autocracy in fact by calling for "political stability" and their reduction of protesters to "native informants and cheerleaders" of US-imperialism. These signatures debase the very meaning of socialism.
Daniel Bensaïd's theoretical and political framework deserves to be habitually known in the Engli... more Daniel Bensaïd's theoretical and political framework deserves to be habitually known in the English-speaking world. His philosophical work has a universal dimension, but because it was also the product of particular political upsurges and downturns, it is necessary to understand these particular political moments to thoroughly understand the universal scope and significance of his work. This paper will look at these political developments (with a focus on France) and pay particular attention to the crisis of the workers' movement, strategy and Marxism.
Philosophe et militant à la Ligue communiste révolutionnaire, Daniel Bensaïd est mort il y a dix ... more Philosophe et militant à la Ligue communiste révolutionnaire, Daniel Bensaïd est mort il y a dix ans. Dans ce texte qui paraît en même temps sur Contretemps, Darren Roso, biographe de Bensaïd, revient sur les apports spécifiques de ce dernier à la lecture de Marx. En effet, la lecture bensaïdienne de Marx est avant tout une lecture stratégique et politique pouvant alimenter les luttes d’aujourd’hui.
I present the trajectory and development of the Revolutionary Communist League through an assessm... more I present the trajectory and development of the Revolutionary Communist League through an assessment of Daniel Bensaïd's political thought.
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Papers by Darren Roso
Aaron Jaffe, “Marxism, Spinoza, and the ‘Radical’ Enlightenment”
Landon Frim and Harrison Fluss, “Reason is Red”
Neil Braganza, “Philosophy as Life-Making Struggle”
Darren Roso, “Materialism and the Crisis of Marxism”
William Clare, Roberts, “On ‘Being Serious About Ideas’: a Rejoinder”
Aaron Jaffe, “Marxism, Spinoza, and the ‘Radical’ Enlightenment”
Landon Frim and Harrison Fluss, “Reason is Red”
Neil Braganza, “Philosophy as Life-Making Struggle”
Darren Roso, “Materialism and the Crisis of Marxism”
William Clare, Roberts, “On ‘Being Serious About Ideas’: a Rejoinder”