Synopses & Reviews
Connecting some of the more remarkable events of the last decadeincluding the rioting in Oaxaca and in the outskirts of Paris and the modern crises of neoliberalismthis critical analysis suggests new strategies for the progressive Left and that forward-moving change is possible. It examines the concept that movements generally develop at times of acceleration and expansion, but ultimately naturally slow down without consideration of their actual effectsstifling new developments, suppressing the emergence of new forms of politics, or failing to see other possible directions. Global in scope and including writings from Leftist struggles, victories, and defeats, this collection of essays ponders the possibility of a winning movement with lasting change and presents opportunities in all corners of the world.
Review
"The discussion is always insightful and provocative as the writers bravely take on the challenge of charting the directions for the Left at a time of ecological crisis, economic collapse, and political disillusionment." Walden Bello, executive director, Focus on the Global South
Review
"Powerful vision of the possible and the seldom-seen present." Rebecca Solnit, author, Hope in the Dark and A Paradise Built in Hell
Review
"This kind of innovative thinking, which emerges from the context of the movements, opens new paths for rebellion and the creation of real social alternatives." Michael Hardt, co-author, Commonwealth, Multitude and Empire
Review
"The Turbulence project is a thoughtful and valuable contribution to the radical libertarian left and the practice of movement-building, of use to open-minded leftists across the spectrum." Red Pepper (UK)
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"Far from an attempt to immortalize the texts, or to capture movement knowledge(s) within some abstract yet destructive academic assessment framework, the republication of these texts serves a reminder that we must constantly keep reassessing the efficacy of our politics." Social Movement Studies (September 2011)
Review
"Turbulence's book springs from a particular moment of crisis, critically examining the state of the anti-globalization movement when it seemed to be waning, becoming something else. As such it is far more than a document of the changing ideas, debates and practices of a movement; it offers valuable tools and provocations for the present moment." Radical Philosophy (September 2011)
Synopsis
Connecting some of the more remarkable events of the last decade--including the rioting in Oaxaca and in the outskirts of Paris and the modern crises of neoliberalism--this critical analysis suggests new strategies for the progressive Left and that forward-moving change is possible. It examines the concept that movements generally develop at times of acceleration and expansion, but ultimately naturally slow down without consideration of their actual effects--stifling new developments, suppressing the emergence of new forms of politics, or failing to see other possible directions. Global in scope and including writings from Leftist struggles, victories, and defeats, this collection of essays ponders the possibility of a winning movement with lasting change and presents opportunities in all corners of the world.
Synopsis
Movements become apparent as "movements" at times of acceleration and expansion. In these heady moments they have fuzzy boundaries, no membership lists--everybody is too engaged in what's coming next, in creating the new, looking to the horizon. But movements get blocked, they slow down, they cease to move, or continue to move without considering their actual effects. When this happens, they can stifle new developments, suppress the emergence of new forms of politics; or fail to see other possible directions. Many movements just stop functioning as movements. They become those strange political groups of yesteryear, arguing about history as worlds pass by. Sometimes all it takes to get moving again is a nudge in a new direction... We think now is a good time to ask the question: What is winning? Or: What would--or could--it mean to "win"?
Contributors include: Valery Alzaga and Rodrigo Nunes, Colectivo Situaciones, Stephen Duncombe, Gustavo Esteva, The Free Association, Euclides Andr Mance, Michal Osterweil, Sasha Lilley, Kay Summer and Harry Halpin, Ben Trott, Nick Dyer-Witheford, and more.
This edition includes a foreword by John Holloway and an extended interview with Michal Osterweil and Ben Trott of the Turbulence Collective.
About the Author
Turbulence Collective is a publishing project with an aim to carve out space where difficult debates and investigations into current political realities can be carried out. John Holloway is a lawyer, a Marxist-oriented sociologist, and a philosopher whose work is closely associated with the Zapatista movement in Mexico.