Re: <nettime> The Revolutionary Role of a Transnational Counterparty

[Dmytri Kleiner <dk@telekommunisten.net>]

On 30.10.2011 22:46, martin hardie wrote:

> Have you been following the Spanish precursor to the occupy movement?
Yes, but certainly not the exact demographics.

I would none the less hazard the guess that the majority of Spanish 
people are not active in the movement, even if they have the same 
concerns. As I mentioned, just like OWS, the Spanish protestors no-doubt 
feel themselves to be in solidarity with the masses, who will none the 
less not reciprocate and turn instead to "legitimate" political 
opposition, because no-one else is offering representation.
First of all, the majority of people do not have the time to 
participate in movements, especially not long term occupations, nor do 
they have time the time or interest in studying political theories to 
unravel the contesting framings being presented. Moreover, people do not 
feel comfortable seeing themselves as holding radical political beliefs, 
on one hand they lack confidence in their ability to understand radical 
politics (who could blame them?), and on the other hand simple sociology 
tells us they are reluctant to alienate their social peers. Whatever 
dissent exists among the masses, will be captured by the opposition 
parties.

> but I wonder if the institution of a party is apt for these times.
Yet, this is not our choice. Our form of Governance is what it is, and 
thus even though we want to change it, we must struggle in the political 
theatre as we find it. As I argued earlier 
(http://dmytri.info/the-existence-of-demands-proves-the-existence), the 
very fact that we have political demands means we are demanding 
political representation.
It seems juvenile to demand representations from others that we 
despise, to treat the plutocrats' parties as cruel gardians we direct 
tantrums against in hopes of placation. For the movement to mature me 
must form our own representation. And as we have not yet transformed 
society, we must do so within the governing institutions of the current 
society, for these are the institutions to whom our making demands are 
addressed in the fist place. Read the placards around you for evidence.
We can not be naive enough to believe that whatever pitfalls and 
complications may arise in forming a Debtors' Party, that its simply 
better to direct our demands at the Plutocrat's Party. Can we?
Best,
--
Dmyri Kleiner
Venture Communist





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