Andreas Broeckmann on Sat, 11 Mar 2000 13:42:26 +0100 (CET) |
[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]
[Nettime-bold] the politics of distributed power |
[a south-african friend who lives in germany sent me the following question which i would like to throw into the round for comments from nettimers; michael will initially follow things through the archive; abroeck] I turn to you with a strange little question. In discussion with my contact in South Africa, Berend, we have come up with a query. This is in the context of globalism on the one hand, and local (S.A.) politics. On the question of 'ethical' business, responsibilty (George Soros) and cooperation of NGO's and individuals with this developement (globalisation). I know this is a buzz word, but for want of a better one I use it as it is. Soros talks of a global community, as guiding and 'discipling' force, to function alongside global financial economics. This is a call for leadership and authority. Certainly in the light of the power that multi-nationals and global business generally has, I'd support the argument for controls, so that the poor or economically weak are not totally dis-enfranchised. Foucault and Guattari, support the idea of micro-politics, decentralised, fragmented and at all levels of society. I can support this idea, and in terms of what is and has been taking place over the last years, the role of sub-culture etc., I think it is also 'true' of our postmodern reality. Berend is an old Marxist, who is calling for an anti-authoritarian politics, in principle, I support this (I've just taken a look at the attitudes of Marx, Engels and Lenin to the Anarchists), although coming from the stance of revolutionary theory, ie., organised resistance, I find it hard to understand how fragmented, leaderless oppostion can have any effect on a powerful system. Can you enlighten me as to role of authority and leadership in this our 'postmodern' politics? More specifically, is there a form of discipline and control (positive) within the autonomous cultural activities that you are involved in? And lastly, as we are talking about the need for ethical business/politics, does the autonomous society take the issue of 'ethics' or 'morality' seriously? I suppose my question is basically: if everyone is doing what they feel is best and right, in which way can this be seen as a political strategy? For now with greetings, Michael. _______________________________________________ Nettime-bold mailing list Nettime-bold@nettime.org http://www.nettime.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nettime-bold