,REVOLUTION 9 ,REV]SE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,DAVID ,GRAEB] 

,TEXT 3 

,REVOLUTION 9 ,REV]SE 7OR1 ON ! CONFLICT BETWE5 POLITICAL ONTOLOGIES ( VIOL5CE & POLITICAL ONTOLOGIES ( ! IMAG9ATION7 

0,ALL P[] TO ! IMAG9ATION40 0,BE REALI/IC1 DEM& ! IMPOSSIBLE4440 ,ANYONE 9VOLV$ 9 RADICAL POLITICS HAS HE>D !SE EXPRESSIONS A ?\S& TIMES4 ,USUALLY !Y *>M & EXCITE ! FIR/ TIME ONE 5C\NT]S !M1 !N EV5TUALLY BECOME SO FAMILI> AS TO SEEM HACKNEY$1 OR JU/ DISAPPE> 9TO ! AMBI5T BACKGR\ND NOISE ( RADICAL LIFE4 ,R>ELY IF EV] >E !Y ! OBJECT ( S]I\S !ORETICAL REFLECTION4 

,IT SEEMS TO ME ?AT AT ! CURR5T HI/ORICAL JUNCTURE1 SOME SU* REFLECTION W\LDN'T BE A BAD IDEA4 ,WE >E AT A MOM5T1 AFT] ALL1 :5 RECEIV$ DEF9ITIONS HAVE BE5 ?R[N 9TO DIS>RAY4 ,IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE ?AT WE >E HEAD+ = A REVOLUTION>Y MOM5T1 OR P]HAPS A S]IES ( !M1 BUT WE NO LONG] HAVE ANY CLE> IDEA ( :AT ?AT MI<T EV5 MEAN4 ,?IS ESSAY !N IS ! PRODUCT ( A SU/A9$ EF=T TO TRY TO RE?9K T]MS LIKE REALISM1 IMAG9ATION1 ALI5ATION1 BUREAUCRACY1 REVOLUTION ITSELF4 ,IT'S BORN ( SOME SIX YE>S ( 9VOLVEM5T ) ! ALT]NATIVE GLOBALIZATION MOVEM5T & P>TICUL>LY ) ITS MO/ RADICAL1 AN>*I/1 DIRECT ACTION-ORI5T$ ELEM5TS4 ,CONSID] IT A K9D ( PRELIM9>Y !ORETICAL REPORT4 ,I WANT TO ASK1 AMONG O!R ?+S1 :Y IS IT !SE T]MS1 :I* = MO/ ( US SEEM RA!R TO EVOKE LONG-S9CE =GOTT5 DEBATES ( ! #a#i#fS1 /ILL RESONATE 9 ?OSE CIRCLES8 ,:Y IS IT ?AT ! IDEA ( ANY RADICAL SOCIAL TRANS=MATION SO (T5 SEEMS 0UNREALI/IC08 ,:AT DOES REVOLUTION MEAN ONCE ONE NO LONG] EXPECTS A S+LE1 CATACLYSMIC BREAK ) PA/ /RUCTURES ( OPPRESSION8 ,!SE SEEM DISP>ATE QUE/IONS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME ! ANSW]S >E RELAT$4 ,IF 9 MANY CASES ,I BRU% PA/ EXI/+ BODIES ( !ORY1 ?IS IS QUITE 9T5TIONAL3 ,I AM TRY+ TO SEE IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO BUILD ON ! EXP]I5CE ( !SE MOVEM5TS & ! !ORETICAL CURR5TS ?AT 9=M !M TO BEG9 TO CREATE SOME?+ NEW4 

,H]E IS ! GI/ ( MY >GUM5T3 

,RI<T & ,LEFT POLITICAL P]SPECTIVES >E F\ND$1 ABOVE ALL1 ON DIFF]5T ASSUMPTIONS AB\T ! ULTIMATE REALITIES ( P[]4 ,! ,RI<T IS ROOT$ 9 A POLITICAL ONTOLOGY ( VIOL5CE1 :]E BE+ REALI/IC MEANS TAK+ 9TO ACC\NT ! =CES ( DE/RUCTION4 ,9 REPLY ! ,LEFT HAS CONSI/5TLY PROPOS$ V>IATIONS ON A POLITICAL ONTOLOGY ( ! IMAG9ATION1 9 :I* ! =CES ?AT >E SE5 AS ! ULTIMATE REALITIES ?AT NE$ TO BE TAK5 9TO ACC\NT >E ?OSE =CES 7( PRODUCTION1 CREATIVITY4447 ?AT BR+ ?+S 9TO BE+4 

,! SITUATION IS COMPLICAT$ BY ! FACT ?AT SY/EMATIC 9EQUALITIES BACK$ BY =CE -- /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE -- ALWAYS PRODUCES SKEW$ & FRACTUR$ /RUCTURES ( ! IMAG9ATION4 ,IT IS ! EXP]I5CE ( LIV+ 9SIDE !SE FRACTUR$ /RUCTURES ?AT WE REF] TO AS 0ALI5ATION04 

,\R CU/OM>Y CONCEPTION ( REVOLUTION IS 9SURRECTION>Y3 ! IDEA IS TO BRU% ASIDE EXI/+ REALITIES ( VIOL5CE BY OV]?R[+ ! /ATE1 !N1 TO UNLEA% ! P[]S ( POPUL> IMAG9ATION & CREATIVITY TO OV]COME ! /RUCTURES ?AT CREATE ALI5ATION4 ,OV] ! TW5TIE? C5TURY IT EV5TUALLY BECAME APP>5T ?AT ! REAL PROBLEM WAS H[ TO 9/ITUTIONALIZE SU* CREATIVITY )\T CREAT+ NEW1 (T5 EV5 MORE VIOL5T & ALI5AT+ /RUCTURES4 ,AS A RESULT1 ! 9SURRECTION>Y MODEL NO LONG] SEEMS COMPLETELY VIABLE1 BUT IT'S NOT CLE> :AT WILL REPLACE IT4 

,ONE RESPONSE HAS BE5 ! REVIVAL ( ! TRADITION ( DIRECT ACTION4 ,9 PRACTICE1 MASS ACTIONS REV]SE ! ORD9>Y 9SURRECTION>Y SEQU5CE4 ,RA!R ?AN A DRAMATIC CONFRONTATION ) /ATE P[] LEAD+ FIR/ TO AN \TP\R+ ( POPUL> FE/IVITY1 ! CREATION ( NEW DEMOCRATIC 9/ITUTIONS1 & EV5TUALLY ! RE9V5TION ( EV]YDAY LIFE1 9 ORGANIZ+ MASS MOBILIZATIONS1 ACTIVI/S DRAWN PR9CIPALLY FROM SUBCULTURAL GR\PS CREATE NEW1 DIRECTLY DEMOCRATIC 9/ITUTIONS TO ORGANIZE 0FE/IVALS ( RESI/ANCE0 ?AT ULTIMATELY LEAD TO CONFRONTATIONS ) ! /ATE4 ,?IS IS JU/ ONE ASPECT ( A MORE G5]AL MOVEM5T ( RE=MULATION ?AT SEEMS TO ME TO BE 9SPIR$ 9 P>T BY ! 9FLU5CE ( AN>*ISM1 BUT 9 EV5 L>G] P>T1 BY FEM9ISM -- A MOVEM5T ?AT ULTIMATELY AIMS TO RECREATE ! EFFECTS ( ?OSE 9SURRECTION>Y MOM5TS ON AN ONGO+ BASIS 

,LET ME TAKE !SE ONE BY ONE4 

,P>T ,I3 0,BE REALI/IC4440 

,FROM E>LY #b TO LATE #bb ,I WAS WORK+ ) ! ,DIRECT ,ACTION ,NETWORK 9 ,NEW ,YORK -- ! PR9CIPAL GR\P RESPONSIBLE = ORGANIZ+ MASS ACTIONS AS P>T ( ! GLOBAL JU/ICE MOVEM5T 9 ?AT CITY AT ?AT TIME4 ,ACTUALLY1 ,D,A,N WAS NOT1 TE*NICALLY1 A GR\P1 BUT A DEC5TRALIZ$ NETWORK1 OP]AT+ ON PR9CIPLES ( DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACCORD+ TO AN ELABORATE1 BUT /RIK+LY EFFECTIVE1 =M ( CONS5SUS PROCESS4 ,IT PLAY$ A C5TRAL ROLE 9 ONGO+ EF=TS TO CREATE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL =MS ?AT ,I WROTE AB\T 9 AN E>LI] ESSAY 9 !SE PAGES4 ,D,A,N EXI/$ 9 A PURELY POLITICAL SPACE2 IT HAD NO CONCRETE RES\RCES1 NOT EV5 A SIGNIFICANT TREASURY1 TO ADM9I/]4 ,!N ONE DAY SOMEONE GAVE ,D,A,N A C>4 ,IT CAUS$ A M9OR1 BUT ONGO+1 CRISIS4 ,WE SOON DISCOV]$ ?AT LEGALLY1 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE = A DEC5TRALIZ$ NETWORK TO [N A C>4 ,C>S CAN BE [N$ BY 9DIVIDUALS1 OR !Y CAN BE [N$ BY CORPORATIONS1 :I* >E FICTIVE 9DIVIDUALS4 ,!Y CANNOT BE [N$ BY NETWORKS4 ,UNLESS WE W]E WILL+ TO 9CORPORATE \RSELVES AS A NONPR(IT CORPORATION 7:I* W\LD HAVE REQUIR$ A COMPLETE REORGANIZATION & AB&ON+ MO/ ( \R EGALIT>IAN PR9CIPLES7 ! ONLY EXP$I5T WAS TO F9D A VOLUNTE] WILL+ TO CLAIM TO BE ! [N] = LEGAL PURPOSES4 ,BUT !N ?AT P]SON WAS EXPECT$ TO PAY ALL \T/&+ F9ES1 9SURANCE FEES1 PROVIDE WRITT5 P]MISSION TO ALL[ O!RS TO DRIVE \T ( /ATE1 &1 ( C\RSE1 ONLY HE C\LD RETRIEVE ! C> IF IT W]E IMP\ND$4 ,BE=E LONG ! ,D,A,N C> HAD BECOME SU* A P]5NIAL PROBLEM ?AT WE SIMPLY AB&ON$ IT4 

,IT /RUCK ME !RE WAS SOME?+ IMPORTANT H]E4 ,:Y IS IT ?AT PROJECTS LIKE ,D,A,N'S -- PROJECTS ( DEMOCRATIZ+ SOCIETY -- >E SO (T5 P]CEIV$ AS IDLE DREAMS ?AT MELT AWAY AS SOON AS !Y 5C\NT] ANY?+ ?AT SEEMS LIKE H>D MAT]IAL REALITY8 ,9 \R CASE IT HAD NO?+ TO DO ) 9EFFICI5CY3 POLICE *IEFS ACROSS ! C\NTRY HAD CALL$ US ! BE/ ORGANIZ$ =CE !Y'D EV] HAD TO DEAL )4 ,IT SEEMS TO ME ! REALITY EFFECT 7IF ONE MAY CALL IT ?AT7 COMES RA!R FROM ! FACT ?AT RADICAL PROJECTS T5D TO F\ND]1 OR AT LEA/ BECOME 5DLESSLY DIFFICULT1 ! MOM5T !Y 5T] 9TO ! WORLD ( L>GE1 HEAVY OBJECTS3 BUILD+S1 C>S1 TRACTORS1 BOATS1 9DU/RIAL MA*9]Y4 ,?IS IS 9 TURN IS NOT BECAUSE !SE OBJECTS >E SOMEH[ 9TR9SICALLY DIFFICULT TO ADM9I/] DEMOCRATICALLY2 IT'S BECAUSE1 LIKE ! ,D,A,N C>1 !Y >E SURR\ND$ BY 5DLESS GOV]NM5T REGULATION1 & EFFECTIVELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HIDE FROM ! GOV]NM5T'S >M$ REPRES5TATIVES4 ,9 ,AM]ICA1 ,I'VE SE5 5DLESS EXAMPLES4 ,A SQUAT IS LEGALIZ$ AFT] A LONG /RUGGLE2 SUDD5LY1 BUILD+ 9SPECTORS >RIVE TO ANN\NCE IT WILL TAKE T5 ?\S& DOLL>S WOR? ( REPAIRS TO BR+ IT UP TO CODE2 ORGANIZ]S >E =C$ SP5D ! NEXT SEV]AL YE>S ORGANIZ+ BAKE SALES & SOLICIT+ CONTRIBUTIONS4 ,?IS MEANS SETT+ UP BANK ACC\NTS1 & LEGAL REGULATIONS !N SPECIFY H[ A GR\P RECEIV+ FUNDS1 OR DEAL+ ) ! GOV]NM5T1 MU/ BE ORGANIZ$ 7AGA91 NOT AS AN EGALIT>IAN COLLECTIVE74 ,ALL !SE REGULATIONS >E 5=C$ BY VIOL5CE4 ,TRUE1 9 ORD9>Y LIFE1 POLICE R>ELY COME 9 SW++ BILLY CLUBS TO 5=CE BUILD+ CODE REGULATIONS1 BUT1 AS AN>*I/S (T5 DISCOV]1 IF ONE SIMPLY PRET5DS !Y DON'T EXI/1 ?AT WILL1 EV5TUALLY1 HAPP54 ,! R>ITY ) :I* ! NI<T/ICKS ACTUALLY APPE> JU/ HELPS TO MAKE ! VIOL5CE H>D] TO SEE4 ,?IS 9 TURN MAKES ! EFFECTS ( ALL !SE REGULATIONS -- REGULATIONS ?AT ALMO/ ALWAYS ASSUME ?AT NORMAL RELATIONS BETWE5 9DIVIDUALS >E M$IAT$ BY ! M>KET1 & ?AT NORMAL GR\PS >E ORGANIZ$ HI]>*ICALLY -- SEEM TO EMANATE NOT FROM ! GOV]NM5T'S MONOPOLY ( ! USE ( =CE1 BUT FROM ! L>G5ESS1 SOLIDITY1 & HEAV9ESS ( ! OBJECTS !MSELVES4 

,:5 ONE IS ASK$ TO BE 0REALI/IC0 !N1 ! REALITY ONE IS NORMALLY BE+ ASK$ TO RECOGNIZE IS NOT ONE ( NATURAL1 MAT]IAL FACTS2 NEI!R IS IT REALLY SOME SUPPOS$ UGLY TRU? AB\T HUMAN NATURE4 ,NORMALLY IT'S A RECOGNITION ( ! EFFECTS ( ! SY/EMATIC ?REAT ( VIOL5CE4 ,IT EV5 ?READS \R LANGUAGE4 ,:Y1 = EXAMPLE1 IS A BUILD+ REF]R$ TO AS 0REAL PROP]TY01 OR 0REAL E/ATE08 ,! 0REAL0 9 ?IS USAGE IS NOT D]IV$ FROM ,LAT9 RES1 OR 0?+03 IT'S FROM ! ,SPANI% REAL1 MEAN+1 0ROYAL01 0BELONG+ TO ! K+40 ,ALL L& )9 A SOV]EIGN T]RITORY ULTIMATELY BELONGS TO ! SOV]EIGN2 LEGALLY ?IS IS /ILL ! CASE4 ,?IS IS :Y ! /ATE HAS ! RI<T TO IMPOSE ITS REGULATIONS4 ,BUT SOV]EIGNTY ULTIMATELY COMES D[N TO A MONOPOLY ( :AT IS EUPHEMI/ICALLY REF]R$ TO AS 0=CE0 -- ?AT IS1 VIOL5CE4 ,JU/ AS ,GIORGIO ,AGAMB5 FAM\SLY >GU$ ?AT FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( SOV]EIGN P[]1 SOME?+ IS ALIVE BECAUSE Y\ CAN KILL IT1 SO PROP]TY IS 0REAL0 BECAUSE ! /ATE CAN SEIZE OR DE/ROY IT4 ,9 ! SAME WAY1 :5 ONE TAKES A 0REALI/0 POSITION 9 ,9T]NATIONAL ,RELATIONS1 ONE ASSUMES ?AT /ATES WILL USE :ATEV] CAPACITIES !Y HAVE AT !IR DISPOSAL1 9CLUD+ =CE ( >MS1 TO PURSUE !IR NATIONAL 9T]E/S4 ,:AT 0REALITY0 IS ONE RECOGNIZ+8 ,C]TA9LY NOT MAT]IAL REALITY4 ,! IDEA ?AT NATIONS >E HUMAN-LIKE 5TITIES ) PURPOSES & 9T]E/S IS AN 5TIRELY METAPHYSICAL NOTION4 ,! ,K+ ( ,FRANCE HAD PURPOSES & 9T]E/S4 0,FRANCE0 DOES NOT4 ,:AT MAKES IT SEEM 0REALI/IC0 TO SUGGE/ IT DOES IS SIMPLY ?AT ?OSE 9 CONTROL ( NATION-/ATES HAVE ! P[] TO RAISE >MIES1 LAUN* 9VASIONS1 BOMB CITIES1 & CAN O!RWISE ?REAT5 ! USE ( ORGANIZ$ VIOL5CE 9 ! NAME ( :AT !Y DESCRIBE AS !IR 0NATIONAL 9T]E/S0 -- & ?AT IT W\LD BE FOOLI% TO IGNORE ?AT POSSIBILITY4 ,NATIONAL 9T]E/S >E REAL BECAUSE !Y CAN KILL Y\4 

,! CRITICAL T]M H]E IS 0=CE01 AS 9 0! /ATE'S MONOPOLY ( ! USE ( CO]CIVE =CE40 ,:5EV] WE HE> ?IS WORD 9VOK$1 WE F9D \RSELVES 9 ! PRES5CE ( A POLITICAL ONTOLOGY 9 :I* ! P[] TO DE/ROY1 TO CAUSE O!RS PA9 OR TO ?REAT5 TO BREAK1 DAMAGE1 OR MANGLE !IR BODIES 7OR JU/ LOCK !M 9 A T9Y ROOM = ! RE/ ( !IR LIVES7 IS TREAT$ AS ! SOCIAL EQUIVAL5T ( ! V]Y 5]GY ?AT DRIVES ! COSMOS4 ,CONTEMPLATE1 = 9/ANCE1 ! METAPHORS & DISPLACEM5TS ?AT MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CON/RUCT ! FOLL[+ TWO S5T5CES3 

,SCI5TI/S 9VE/IGATE ! NATURE ( PHYSICAL LAWS SO AS TO UND]/& ! =CES ?AT GOV]N ! UNIV]SE4 

,POLICE >E EXP]TS 9 ! SCI5TIFIC APPLICATION ( PHYSICAL =CE 9 ORD] TO 5=CE ! LAWS ?AT GOV]N SOCIETY4 

,?IS IS TO MY M9D ! ESS5CE ( ,RI<T-W+ ?\<T3 A POLITICAL ONTOLOGY ?AT ?R\< SU* SUBTLE MEANS1 ALL[S VIOL5CE TO DEF9E ! V]Y P>AMET]S ( SOCIAL EXI/5CE & COMMON S5SE4 

,! ,LEFT1 ON ! O!R H&1 HAS ALWAYS BE5 F\ND$ ON A DIFF]5T SET ( ASSUMPTIONS AB\T :AT IS ULTIMATELY REAL1 AB\T ! V]Y GR\NDS ( POLITICAL BE+4 ,OBVI\SLY ,LEFTI/S DON'T D5Y ! REALITY ( VIOL5CE4 ,MANY ,LEFTI/ !ORI/S HAVE ?\<T AB\T IT QUITE A LOT4 ,BUT !Y DON'T T5D TO GIVE IT ! SAME F\NDATIONAL /ATUS4 ,9/EAD1 ,I W\LD >GUE ?AT ,LEFTI/ ?\<T IS F\ND$ ON :AT ,I WILL CALL A 0POLITICAL ONTOLOGY ( ! IMAG9ATION0 -- ?\< ,I C\LD AS EASILY HAVE CALL$ IT AN ONTOLOGY ( CREATIVITY OR MAK+ OR 9V5TION4 ,N[ADAYS1 MO/ ( US T5D TO ID5TIFY IT ) ! LEGACY ( ,M>X1 ) HIS EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL REVOLUTION & =CES ( MAT]IAL PRODUCTION4 ,BUT REALLY ,M>X'S T]MS EM]G$ FROM MU* WID] >GUM5TS AB\T VALUE1 LABOR1 & CREATIVITY CURR5T 9 RADICAL CIRCLES ( HIS DAY1 :E!R 9 ! WORK]'S MOVEM5T1 OR = ?AT MATT] V>I\S /RA9S ( ,ROMANTICISM4 ,M>X HIMSELF1 = ALL HIS CONTEMPT = ! UTOPIAN SOCIALI/S ( HIS DAY1 NEV] CEAS$ TO 9SI/ ?AT :AT MAKES HUMAN BE+S DIFF]5T FROM ANIMALS IS ?AT >*ITECTS1 UNLIKE BEES1 FIR/ RAISE !IR /RUCTURES 9 ! IMAG9ATION4 ,IT WAS ! UNIQUE PROP]TY ( HUMANS1 = ,M>X1 ?AT !Y FIR/ 5VISION ?+S1 !N BR+ !M 9TO BE+4 ,IT WAS ?IS PROCESS HE REF]R$ TO AS 0PRODUCTION04 ,>\ND ! SAME TIME1 UTOPIAN SOCIALI/S LIKE ,/4 ,SIMON W]E >GU+ ?AT >TI/S NE$$ TO BECOME ! AVANT G>DE OR 0VANGU>D01 AS HE PUT IT1 ( A NEW SOCIAL ORD]1 PROVID+ ! GR& VISIONS ?AT 9DU/RY N[ HAD ! P[] TO BR+ 9TO BE+4 ,:AT AT ! TIME MI<T HAVE SEEM$ ! FANTASY ( AN ECC5TRIC PAMPHLETE] SOON BECAME ! *>T] = A SPORADIC1 UNC]TA91 BUT APP>5TLY P]MAN5T ALLIANCE ?AT 5DURES TO ?IS DAY4 ,IF >TI/IC AVANT G>DES & SOCIAL REVOLUTION>IES HAVE FELT A PECULI> AFF9ITY = ONE ANO!R EV] S9CE1 BORR[+ EA* O!R'S LANGUAGES & IDEAS1 IT APPE>S TO HAVE BE5 9S(> AS BO? HAVE REMA9$ COMMITT$ TO ! IDEA ?AT ! ULTIMATE1 HIDD5 TRU? ( ! WORLD IS ?AT IT IS SOME?+ ?AT WE MAKE1 &1 C\LD JU/ AS EASILY MAKE DIFF]5TLY4 ,9 ?IS S5SE1 A PHRASE LIKE 0ALL P[] TO ! IMAG9ATION0 EXPRESSES ! V]Y QU9TESS5CE ( ! ,LEFT4 

,TO ?IS EMPHASIS ON =CES ( CREATIVITY & PRODUCTION ( C\RSE ! ,RI<T T5DS TO REPLY ?AT REVOLUTION>IES SY/EMATICALLY NEGLECT ! SOCIAL & HI/ORICAL IMPORTANCE ( ! 0MEANS ( DE/RUCTION03 /ATES1 >MIES1 EXECUTION]S1 B>B>IAN 9VASIONS1 CRIM9ALS1 UNRULY MOBS1 & SO ON4 ,PRET5D+ SU* ?+S >E NOT !RE1 OR CAN SIMPLY BE WI%$ AWAY1 !Y >GUE1 HAS ! RESULT ( 5SUR+ ?AT LEFT-W+ REGIMES WILL 9 FACT CREATE F> MORE DEA? & DE/RUCTION ?AN ?OSE ?AT HAVE ! WISDOM TO TAKE A MORE 0REALI/IC0 APPROA*4 

,OBVI\SLY1 ?IS DI*OTOMY IS V]Y MU* A SIMPLIFICATION4 ,ONE C\LD LEVEL 5DLESS QUALIFICATIONS4 ,! B\RGEOISIE ( ,M>X'S TIME = 9/ANCE HAD AN EXTREMELY PRODUCTIVI/ PHILOSOPHY -- ONE REASON ,M>X C\LD SEE IT AS A REVOLUTION>Y =CE4 ,ELEM5TS ( ! ,RI<T DABBL$ ) ! >TI/IC IDEAL1 & #b? C5TURY ,M>XI/ REGIMES (T5 EMBRAC$ ESS5TIALLY RI<T-W+ !ORIES ( P[]1 & PAID LITTLE MORE ?AN LIP S]VICE TO ! DET]M9ANT NATURE ( PRODUCTION4 ,NONE!LESS1 ,I ?9K !SE >E USEFUL T]MS BECAUSE EV5 IF ONE TREATS 0IMAG9ATION0 & 0VIOL5CE0 NOT AS ! S+LE HIDD5 TRU? ( ! WORLD BUT AS IMMAN5T PR9CIPLES1 AS EQUAL CON/ITU5TS ( ANY SOCIAL REALITY1 !Y CAN REVEAL A GREAT DEAL ONE W\LD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE O!RWISE4 ,= ONE ?+1 EV]Y:]E1 IMAG9ATION & VIOL5CE SEEM TO 9T]ACT 9 PR$ICTABLE1 & QUITE SIGNIFICANT1 WAYS4 

,LET ME />T ) A FEW WORDS ON VIOL5CE1 PROVID+ A V]Y S*EMATIC OV]VIEW ( >GUM5TS ?AT ,I HAVE DEVELOP$ 9 SOME:AT GREAT] DETAIL ELSE:]E3 

,P>T ,I,I3 ,ON VIOL5CE & IMAG9ATIVE DISPLACEM5T 

,I'M AN AN?ROPOLOGI/ BY PR(ESSION & AN?ROPOLOGICAL DISCUSSIONS ( VIOL5CE >E ALMO/ ALWAYS PREFAC$ BY /ATEM5TS ?AT VIOL5T ACTS >E ACTS ( COMMUNICATION1 ?AT !Y >E 9H]5TLY MEAN+FUL1 & ?AT ?IS IS :AT IS TRULY IMPORTANT AB\T !M4 ,9 O!R WORDS1 VIOL5CE OP]ATES L>GELY ?R\< ! IMAG9ATION4 

,ALL ( ?IS IS TRUE4 ,I W\LD H>DLY WANT TO DISC\NT ! IMPORTANCE ( FE> & T]ROR 9 HUMAN LIFE4 ,ACTS ( VIOL5CE CAN BE -- 9DE$ (T5 >E -- ACTS ( COMMUNICATION4 ,BUT ! SAME C\LD BE SAID ( ANY O!R =M ( HUMAN ACTION1 TOO4 ,IT /RIKES ME ?AT :AT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AB\T VIOL5CE IS ?AT IT IS P]HAPS ! ONLY =M ( HUMAN ACTION ?AT HOLDS \T ! POSSIBILITY ( OP]AT+ ON O!RS )\T BE+ COMMUNICATIVE4 ,OR LET ME PUT ?IS MORE PRECISELY4 ,VIOL5CE MAY WELL BE ! ONLY WAY 9 :I* IT IS POSSIBLE = ONE HUMAN BE+ TO HAVE RELATIVELY PR$ICTABLE EFFECTS ON ! ACTIONS ( ANO!R )\T UND]/&+ ANY?+ AB\T !M4 ,PRETTY MU* ANY O!R WAY ONE MI<T TRY TO 9FLU5CE ANO!R'S ACTIONS1 ONE AT LEA/ HAS TO HAVE SOME IDEA :O !Y ?9K !Y >E1 :O !Y ?9K Y\ >E1 :AT !Y MI<T WANT \T ( ! SITUATION1 & A HO/ ( SIMIL> CONSID]ATIONS4 ,HIT !M OV] ! HEAD H>D 5\<1 ALL ?IS BECOMES IRRELEVANT4 ,IT'S TRUE ?AT ! EFFECTS ONE CAN HAVE BY HITT+ !M >E QUITE LIMIT$4 ,BUT !Y >E REAL 5\<1 & ! FACT REMA9S ?AT ANY ALT]NATIVE =M ( ACTION CANNOT1 )\T SOME SORT ( APPEAL TO %>$ MEAN+S OR UND]/&+S1 HAVE ANY SORT ( EFFECT AT ALL4 ,:AT'S MORE1 EV5 ATTEMPTS TO 9FLU5CE ANO!R BY ! ?REAT ( VIOL5CE1 :I* CLE>LY DOES REQUIRE SOME LEVEL ( %>$ UND]/&+S 7AT ! V]Y LEA/1 ! O!R P>TY MU/ UND]/& !Y >E BE+ ?REAT5$1 & :AT IS BE+ DEM&$ ( !M71 REQUIRES MU* LESS ?AN ANY ALT]NATIVE4 ,MO/ HUMAN RELATIONS -- P>TICUL>LY ONGO+ ONES1 SU* AS ?OSE BETWE5 LONG/&+ FRI5DS OR LONG/&+ 5EMIES -- >E EXTREMELY COMPLICAT$1 5DLESSLY D5SE ) EXP]I5CE & MEAN+4 ,!Y REQUIRE A CONT9UAL & (T5 SUBTLE WORK ( 9T]PRETATION2 EV]YONE 9VOLV$ MU/ PUT CON/ANT 5]GY 9TO IMAG9+ ! O!R'S PO9T ( VIEW4 ,?REAT5+ O!RS ) PHYSICAL H>M ON ! O!R H& ALL[S ! POSSIBILITY ( CUTT+ ?R\< ALL ?IS4 ,IT MAKES POSSIBLE RELATIONS ( A F> MORE S*EMATIC K9D3 I4E41 'CROSS ?IS L9E & ,I WILL %OOT Y\ & O!RWISE ,I REALLY DON'T C>E :O Y\ >E OR :AT Y\ WANT'4 ,?IS IS1 = 9/ANCE1 :Y VIOL5CE IS SO (T5 ! PREF]R$ WEAPON ( ! /UPID3 ONE C\LD ALMO/ SAY1 ! TRUMP C>D ( ! /UPID1 S9CE IT IS ! =M ( /UPIDITY TO :I* IT IS MO/ DIFFICULT TO COME UP ) ANY 9TELLIG5T RESPONSE4 

,!RE IS1 H[EV]1 ONE CRUCIAL QUALIFICATION TO BE MADE4 ,! MORE EV5LY MAT*$ TWO P>TIES >E 9 !IR CAPACITY = VIOL5CE1 ! LESS ALL ?IS T5DS TO BE TRUE4 ,IF ONE IS 9VOLV$ 9 A RELATIVELY EQUAL CONTE/ ( VIOL5CE1 IT IS 9DE$ A V]Y GOOD IDEA TO UND]/& AS MU* AS POSSIBLE AB\T !M4 ,A MILIT>Y COMM&] WILL OBVI\SLY TRY TO GET 9SIDE HIS OPPON5T'S M9D4 ,IT'S REALLY ONLY :5 ONE SIDE HAS AN OV]:ELM+ ADVANTAGE 9 !IR CAPACITY TO CAUSE PHYSICAL H>M ?IS IS NO LONG] ! CASE4 ,( C\RSE1 :5 ONE SIDE HAS AN OV]:ELM+ ADVANTAGE1 !Y R>ELY HAVE TO ACTUALLY RESORT TO ACTUALLY %OOT+1 BEAT+1 OR BL[+ PEOPLE UP4 ,! ?REAT WILL USUALLY SUFFICE4 ,?IS HAS A CURI\S EFFECT4 ,IT MEANS ?AT ! MO/ *>ACT]I/IC QUALITY ( VIOL5CE -- ITS CAPACITY TO IMPOSE V]Y SIMPLE SOCIAL RELATIONS ?AT 9VOLVE LITTLE OR NO IMAG9ATIVE ID5TIFICATION -- BECOMES MO/ SALI5T 9 SITUATIONS :]E ACTUAL1 PHYSICAL VIOL5CE IS LIKELY TO BE LEA/ PRES5T4 

,WE CAN SPEAK H]E 7AS MANY DO7 ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE3 ?AT SY/EMATIC 9EQUALITIES ?AT >E ULTIMATELY BACK$ UP BY ! ?REAT ( =CE CAN BE SE5 AS A =M ( VIOL5CE 9 !MSELVES4 ,SY/EMS ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE 9V>IABLY SEEM TO PRODUCE EXTREME LOPSID$ /RUCTURES ( IMAG9ATIVE ID5TIFICATION4 ,IT'S NOT ?AT 9T]PRETIVE WORK ISN'T C>RI$ \T4 ,SOCIETY1 9 ANY RECOGNIZABLE =M1 C\LD NOT OP]ATE )\T IT4 ,RA!R1 ! OV]:ELM+ BURD5 ( ! LABOR IS RELEGAT$ TO ITS VICTIMS4 

,LET ME />T ) ! H\SEHOLD4 ,A CON/ANT /APLE ( #a#i#eS SITUATION COM$IES1 9 ,AM]ICA1 W]E JOKES AB\T ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( UND]/&+ WOM54 ,! JOKES ( C\RSE W]E ALWAYS TOLD BY M54 ,WOM5'S LOGIC WAS ALWAYS BE+ TREAT$ AS ALI5 & 9COMPREH5SIBLE4 ,ONE NEV] HAD ! IMPRESSION1 ON ! O!R H&1 ?AT WOM5 HAD MU* TR\BLE UND]/&+ ! M54 ,?AT'S BECAUSE ! WOM5 HAD NO *OICE BUT TO UND]/& M53 ?IS WAS ! HEYDAY ( ! ,AM]ICAN PATRI>*AL FAMILY1 & WOM5 ) NO ACCESS TO !IR [N 9COME OR RES\RCES HAD LITTLE *OICE BUT TO SP5D A FAIR AM\NT ( TIME & 5]GY UND]/&+ :AT ! RELEVANT M5 ?\<T WAS GO+ ON4 ,ACTUALLY1 ?IS SORT ( RHETORIC AB\T ! MY/]IES ( WOMANK9D IS A P]5NIAL FEATURE ( PATRI>*AL FAMILIES3 /RUCTURES ?AT CAN1 9DE$1 BE CONSID]$ =MS ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE 9S(> AS ! P[] ( M5 OV] WOM5 )9 !M IS1 AS G5]ATIONS ( FEM9I/S HAVE PO9T$ \T1 ULTIMATELY BACK$ UP1 IF (T5 9 9DIRECT & HIDD5 WAYS1 BY ALL SORTS ( CO]CIVE =CE4 ,BUT G5]ATIONS ( FEMALE NOVELI/S -- ,VIRG9IA ,WOOLF COMES IMM$IATELY TO M9D -- HAVE ALSO DOCUM5T$ ! O!R SIDE ( ?IS3 ! CON/ANT WORK WOM5 P]=M 9 MANAG+1 MA9TA9+1 & ADJU/+ ! EGOS ( APP>5TLY OBLIVI\S M5 -- 9VOLV+ AN 5DLESS WORK ( IMAG9ATIVE ID5TIFICATION & :AT ,I'VE CALL$ 9T]PRETIVE LABOR4 ,?IS C>RIES OV] ON EV]Y LEVEL4 ,WOM5 >E ALWAYS IMAG9+ :AT ?+S LOOK LIKE FROM A MALE PO9T ( VIEW4 ,M5 ALMO/ NEV] DO ! SAME = WOM54 ,?IS IS PRESUMABLY ! REASON :Y 9 SO MANY SOCIETIES ) A PRON\NC$ G5D]$ DIVISION ( LABOR 7?AT IS1 MO/ SOCIETIES71 WOM5 KN[ A GREAT DEAL AB\T M5 DO EV]Y DAY1 & M5 HAVE NEXT TO NO IDEA AB\T WOM5'S OCCUPATIONS4 ,FAC$ ) ! PROSPECT ( EV5 TRY+ TO IMAG9E A WOM5'S P]SPECTIVE1 MANY RECOIL 9 HORROR4 ,9 ! ,U,S1 ONE POPUL> TRICK AMONG ,HI< ,S*OOL CREATIVE WRIT+ TEA*]S IS TO ASSIGN /UD5TS TO WRITE AN ESSAY IMAG9+ ?AT !Y W]E TO SWIT* G5D]S1 & DESCRIBE :AT IT W\LD BE LIKE TO LIVE = ONE DAY AS A MEMB] ( ! OPPOSITE SEX4 ,! RESULTS >E ALMO/ ALWAYS EXACTLY ! SAME3 ALL ! GIRLS 9 CLASS WRITE LONG & DETAIL$ ESSAYS DEMON/RAT+ ?AT !Y HAVE SP5T A GREAT DEAL ( TIME ?9K+ AB\T SU* QUE/IONS2 R\<LY HALF ! BOYS REFUSE TO WRITE ! ESSAY 5TIRELY4 ,ALMO/ 9V>IABLY !Y EXPRESS PR(\ND RES5TM5T AB\T HAV+ TO IMAG9E :AT IT MI<T BE LIKE TO BE A WOMAN4 

,IT %\LD BE EASY 5\< TO MULTIPLY P>ALLEL EXAMPLES4 ,:5 SOME?+ GOES WRONG 9 A RE/AURANT KIT*51 & ! BOSS APPE>S TO SIZE ?+S UP1 HE IS UNLIKELY TO PAY MU* ATT5TION TO A COLLECTION ( WORK]S ALL SCRAMBL+ TO EXPLA9 !IR V]SION ( ! /ORY4 ,LIKELY AS NOT HE'LL TELL !M ALL TO %UT UP & JU/ >BITR>ILY DECIDE :AT HE ?9KS IS LIKELY TO HAVE HAPP5$3 0Y\'RE ! NEW GUY1 Y\ MU/ HAVE MESS$ UP -- IF Y\ DO IT AGA91 Y\'RE FIR$40 ,IT'S ?OSE :O DO NOT HAVE ! P[] TO FIRE >BITR>ILY :O HAVE TO DO ! WORK ( FIGUR+ \T :AT ACTUALLY HAPP5$4 ,:AT OCCURS ON ! MO/ PETTY OR 9TIMATE LEVEL ALSO OCCURS ON ! LEVEL ( SOCIETY AS A :OLE4 ,CURI\SLY 5\< IT WAS ,ADAM ,SMI?1 9 HIS ,!ORY ( ,MORAL ,S5TIM5TS 7WRITT5 9 #a#g#f#a71 :O FIR/ MADE NOTICE ( :AT'S N[ADAYS LABEL$ 0COMPASSION FATIGUE04 ,HUMAN BE+S1 HE OBS]V$1 APPE> TO HAVE A NATURAL T5D5CY NOT ONLY TO IMAG9ATIVELY ID5TIFY ) !IR FELL[S1 BUT ALSO1 AS A RESULT1 TO ACTUALLY FEEL ONE ANO!R'S JOYS & PA9S4 ,! POOR1 H[EV]1 >E JU/ TOO CONSI/5TLY MIS]ABLE1 & AS A RESULT1 OBS]V]S1 = !IR [N SELF-PROTECTION1 T5D TO SIMPLY BLOT !M \T4 ,! RESULT IS ?AT :ILE ?OSE ON ! BOTTOM SP5D A GREAT DEAL ( TIME IMAG9+ ! P]SPECTIVES (1 & ACTUALLY C>+ AB\T1 ?OSE ON ! TOP1 BUT IT ALMO/ NEV] HAPP5S ! O!R WAY >\ND4 ,?AT IS MY REAL PO9T4 ,:ATEV] ! ME*ANISMS1 SOME?+ LIKE ?IS ALWAYS SEEMS TO OCCUR3 :E!R ONE IS DEAL+ ) MA/]S & S]VANTS1 M5 & WOM51 BOSSES & WORK]S1 RI* & POOR4 ,/RUCTURAL 9EQUALITY -- /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE -- 9V>IABLY CREATES ! SAME LOPSID$ /RUCTURES ( ! IMAG9ATION4 ,& S9CE1 AS ,SMI? CORRECTLY OBS]V$1 IMAG9ATION T5DS TO BR+ ) IT SYMPA?Y1 ! VICTIMS ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE T5D TO C>E AB\T ITS B5EFICI>IES1 OR AT LEA/1 TO C>E F> MORE AB\T !M ?AN ?OSE B5EFICI>IES C>E AB\T !M4 ,9 FACT1 ?IS MI<T WELL BE 7ASIDE FROM ! VIOL5CE ITSELF7 ! S+LE MO/ P[]FUL =CE PRES]V+ SU* RELATIONS4 

,IT IS EASY TO SEE BUREAUCRATIC PROC$URES AS AN EXT5SION ( ?IS PH5OM5ON4 ,ONE MI<T SAY !Y >E NOT SO MU* !MSELVES =MS ( /UPIDITY & IGNORANCE AS MODES ( ORGANIZ+ SITUATIONS ALREADY M>K$ BY /UPIDITY & IGNORANCE [+ ! EXI/5CE ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE4 ,TRUE1 BUREAUCRATIC PROC$URE OP]ATES AS IF IT W]E A =M ( /UPIDITY1 9 ?AT IT 9V>IABLY MEANS IGNOR+ ALL ! SUBTLETIES ( REAL HUMAN EXI/5CE & R$UC+ EV]Y?+ TO SIMPLE PRE-E/ABLI%$ ME*ANICAL OR /ATI/ICAL =MULAS4 ,:E!R IT'S A MATT] ( =MS1 RULES1 /ATI/ICS1 OR QUE/IONNAIRES1 BUREAUCRACY IS ALWAYS AB\T SIMPLIFICATION4 ,ULTIMATELY ! EFFECT IS NOT SO DIFF]5T ?AN ! BOSS :O WALKS 9 TO MAKE AN >BITR>Y SNAP DECISION AS TO :AT W5T WRONG3 IT'S A MATT] ( APPLY+ V]Y SIMPLE S*EMATA TO COMPLEX1 AMBIGU\S SITUATIONS4 ,! SAME GOES1 9 FACT1 = POLICE1 :O >E AFT] ALL SIMPLY L[-LEVEL ADM9I/RATORS ) GUNS4 ,POLICE SOCIOLOGI/S HAVE LONG S9CE DEMON/RAT$ ?AT ONLY A T9Y FRACTION ( POLICE WORK HAS ANY?+ TO DO ) CRIME4 ,POLICE >E1 RA!R1 ! IMM$IATE REPRES5TATIVES ( ! /ATE'S MONOPOLY ( VIOL5CE1 ?OSE :O /EP 9 TO ACTIVELY SIMPLIFY SITUATIONS 7= EXAMPLE1 W]E SOMEONE TO ACTIVELY *ALL5GE SOME BUREAUCRATIC DEF9ITION74 ,SIMULTANE\SLY1 POLICE !Y HAVE BECOME1 9 CONTEMPOR>Y 9DU/RIAL DEMOCRACIES1 ,AM]ICA 9 P>TICUL>1 ! ALMO/ OBSESSIVE OBJECTS ( POPUL> IMAG9ATIVE ID5TIFICATION4 ,9 FACT1 ! PUBLIC IS CON/ANTLY 9VIT$1 9 A ?\S& ,T,V %[S & MOVIES1 TO SEE ! WORLD FROM A POLICE (FIC]'S P]SPECTIVE1 EV5 IF IT IS ALWAYS ! P]SPECTIVE ( IMAG9>Y POLICE (FIC]S1 ! K9D :O ACTUALLY DO SP5D !IR TIME FI<T+ CRIME RA!R ?AN CONC]N+ !MSELVES ) BROK5 TAIL LI<TS OR OP5 CONTA9] LAWS4 

,EXCURSUS ON TRANSC5D5T V]SUS IMMAN5T IMAG9ATION 

,TO IMAG9ATIVELY ID5TIFY ) AN IMAG9>Y POLICEMAN IS ( C\RSE NOT ! SAME AS TO IMAG9ATIVELY ID5TIFY ) A REAL ONE 7MO/ ,AM]ICANS 9 FACT AVOID A REAL POLICEMAN LIKE ! PLAGUE74 ,?IS IS A CRITICAL DI/9CTION1 H[EV] MU* AN 9CREAS+LY DIGITALIZ$ WORLD MAKES IT EASY TO CONFUSE ! TWO4 

,IT IS H]E HELPFUL TO CONSID] ! HI/ORY ( ! WORD 0IMAG9ATION04 ,! COMMON ,ANCI5T & ,M$IEVAL CONCEPTION1 :AT WE CALL 0! IMAG9ATION0 WAS CONSID]$ ! ZONE ( PASSAGE BETWE5 REALITY & REASON4 ,P]CEPTIONS FROM ! MAT]IAL WORLD HAD TO PASS ?R\< ! IMAG9ATION1 BECOM+ EMOTIONALLY *>G$ 9 ! PROCESS & MIX+ ) ALL SORTS ( PHANTASMS1 BE=E ! RATIONAL M9D C\LD GRASP !IR SIGNIFICANCE4 ,9T5TIONS & DESIRES MOV$ 9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION4 ,IT'S ONLY AFT] ,DESC>TES1 REALLY1 ?AT ! WORD 0IMAG9>Y0 CAME TO MEAN1 SPECIFICALLY1 ANY?+ ?AT IS NOT REAL3 IMAG9>Y CREATURES1 IMAG9>Y PLACES 7,MIDDLE ,E>?1 ,N>NIA1 PLANETS 9 F>AWAY ,GALAXIES1 ! ,K+DOM ( ,PRE/] ,JOHN44471 IMAG9>Y FRI5DS4 ,BY ?IS DEF9ITION ( C\RSE A 0POLITICAL ONTOLOGY ( ! IMAG9ATION0 W\LD ACTUALLY A CONTRADICTION 9 T]MS4 ,! IMAG9ATION CANNOT BE ! BASIS ( REALITY4 ,IT IS BY DEF9ITION ?AT :I* WE CAN ?9K1 BUT HAS NO REALITY4 

,I'LL REF] TO ?IS LATT] AS 0! TRANSC5D5T NOTION ( ! IMAG9ATION0 S9CE IT SEEMS TO TAKE AS ITS MODEL NOVELS OR O!R WORKS ( FICTION ?AT CREATE IMAG9>Y WORLDS ?AT PRESUMABLY1 REMA9 ! SAME NO MATT] H[ MANY TIMES ONE READS !M4 ,IMAG9>Y CREATURES -- ELVES OR UNICORNS OR ,T,V COPS -- >E NOT AFFECT$ BY ! REAL WORLD4 ,!Y CANNOT BE1 S9CE !Y DON'T EXI/4 ,9 CONTRA/1 ! K9D ( IMAG9ATION ,I HAVE BE5 REF]R+ TO H]E IS MU* CLOS] TO ! OLD1 IMMAN5T1 CONCEPTION4 ,CRITICALLY1 IT IS 9 NO S5SE /ATIC & FREE-FLOAT+1 BUT 5TIRELY CAU<T UP 9 PROJECTS ( ACTION ?AT AIM TO HAVE REAL EFFECTS ON ! MAT]IAL WORLD1 & AS SU*1 ALWAYS *ANG+ & ADAPT+4 ,?IS IS EQUALLY TRUE :E!R ONE IS CRAFT+ A KNIFE OR A PIECE ( JEWELRY1 OR TRY+ TO MAKE SURE ONE DOESN'T HURT A FRI5D'S FEEL+S4 

,ONE MI<T GET A S5SE ( H[ IMPORTANT ?IS DI/9CTION REALLY IS BY RETURN+ TO ! '#f#h SLOGAN AB\T GIV+ P[] TO ! IMAG9ATION4 ,IF ONE TAKES ?IS TO REF] TO ! TRANSC5D5T IMAG9ATION -- PRE=M$ UTOPIAN S*EMES1 = EXAMPLE -- DO+ SO CAN1 WE KN[1 HAVE DISA/R\S EFFECTS4 ,HI/ORICALLY1 IT HAS (T5 MEANT IMPOS+ !M BY VIOL5CE4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 9 A REVOLUTION>Y SITUATION1 ONE MI<T BY ! SAME TOK5 >GUE ?AT NOT GIV+ FULL P[] TO ! O!R1 IMMAN5T1 SORT ( IMAG9ATION W\LD BE EQUALLY DISA/R\S4 

,! RELATION ( VIOL5CE & IMAG9ATION IS MADE MU* MORE COMPLICAT$ BECAUSE :ILE 9 EV]Y CASE1 /RUCTURAL 9EQUALITIES T5D TO SPLIT SOCIETY 9TO ?OSE DO+ IMAG9ATIVE LABOR1 & ?OSE :O DO NOT1 !Y DO SO 9 V]Y DIFF]5T WAYS4 ,CAPITALISM H]E IS A DRAMATIC CASE 9 PO9T4 ,POLITICAL ECONOMY T5DS TO SEE WORK 9 CAPITALI/ SOCIETIES AS DIVID$ BETWE5 TWO SPH]ES3 WAGE LABOR1 = :I* ! P>ADIGM IS ALWAYS FACTORIES1 & DOME/IC LABOR -- H\SEWORK1 *ILDC>E -- RELEGAT$ MA9LY TO WOM54 ,! FIR/ IS SE5 PRIM>ILY AS A MATT] ( CREAT+ & MA9TA9+ PHYSICAL OBJECTS4 ,! SECOND IS PROBABLY BE/ SE5 AS A MATT] ( CREAT+ & MA9TA9+ PEOPLE & SOCIAL RELATIONS4 ,! DI/9CTION IS OBVI\SLY A BIT ( A C>ICATURE3 !RE HAS NEV] BE5 A SOCIETY1 NOT EV5 ,5GELS' ,MAN*E/] OR ,VICTOR ,HUGO'S ,P>IS1 :]E MO/ M5 W]E FACTORY WORK]S OR MO/ WOM5 WORK$ EXCLUSIVELY AS H\SEWIVES4 ,/ILL1 IT IS A USEFUL />T+ PO9T1 S9CE IT REVEALS AN 9T]E/+ DIV]G5CE4 ,9 ! SPH]E ( 9DU/RY1 IT IS G5]ALLY ?OSE ON TOP ?AT RELEGATE TO !MSELVES ! MORE IMAG9ATIVE TASKS 7I4E41 ?AT DESIGN ! PRODUCTS & ORGANIZE PRODUCTION71 :]EAS :5 9EQUALITIES EM]GE 9 ! SPH]E ( SOCIAL PRODUCTION1 IT'S ?OSE ON ! BOTTOM :O 5D UP EXPECT$ TO DO ! MAJOR IMAG9ATIVE WORK 7= EXAMPLE1 ! BULK ( :AT ,I'VE CALL$ ! 'LABOR ( 9T]PRETATION' ?AT KEEPS LIFE RUNN+74 

,NO D\BT ALL ?IS MAKES IT EASI] TO SEE ! TWO AS FUNDAM5TALLY DIFF]5T SORTS ( ACTIVITY1 MAK+ IT H>D = US TO RECOGNIZE 9T]PRETIVE LABOR1 = EXAMPLE1 OR MO/ ( :AT WE USUALLY ?9K ( AS WOM5'S WORK1 AS LABOR AT ALL4 ,TO MY M9D IT W\LD PROBABLY BE BETT] TO RECOGNIZE IT AS ! PRIM>Y =M ( LABOR4 ,9S(> AS A CLE> DI/9CTION CAN BE MADE H]E1 IT'S ! C>E1 5]GY1 & LABOR DIRECT$ AT HUMAN BE+S ?AT %\LD BE CONSID]$ FUNDAM5TAL4 ,! ?+S WE C>E MO/ AB\T -- \R LOVES1 PASSIONS1 RIVALRIES1 OBSESSIONS -- >E ALWAYS O!R PEOPLE2 & 9 MO/ SOCIETIES ?AT >E NOT CAPITALI/1 IT'S TAK5 = GRANT$ ?AT ! MANUFACTURE ( MAT]IAL GOODS IS A SUBORD9ATE MOM5T 9 A L>G] PROCESS ( FA%ION+ PEOPLE4 ,9 FACT1 ,I W\LD >GUE ?AT ONE ( ! MO/ ALI5AT+ ASPECTS ( CAPITALISM IS ! FACT ?AT IT =CES US TO PRET5D ?AT IT IS ! O!R WAY >\ND1 & ?AT SOCIETIES EXI/ PRIM>ILY TO 9CREASE !IR \TPUT ( ?+S4 

,P>T ,I,I,I3 ,ON ALI5ATION 

,9 ! TW5TIE? C5TURY1 DEA? T]RIFIES M5 LESS ?AN ! ABS5CE ( REAL LIFE4 ,ALL !SE DEAD1 ME*ANIZ$1 SPECIALIZ$ ACTIONS1 /EAL+ A LITTLE BIT ( LIFE A ?\S& TIMES A DAY UNTIL ! M9D & BODY >E EXHAU/$1 UNTIL ?AT DEA? :I* IS NOT ! 5D ( LIFE BUT ! F9AL SATURATION ) ABS5CE4 

-- ,RA\L ,VANEIGEM1 ,! ,REVOLUTION ( ,EV]YDAY ,LIFE 

,CREATIVITY & DESIRE -- :AT WE (T5 R$UCE1 9 POLITICAL ECONOMY T]MS1 TO 0PRODUCTION0 & 0CONSUMPTION0 -- >E ESS5TIALLY VEHICLES ( ! IMAG9ATION4 ,/RUCTURES ( 9EQUALITY & DOM9ATION1 /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE IF Y\ WILL1 T5D TO SKEW ! IMAG9ATION4 ,!Y MI<T CREATE SITUATIONS :]E LABOR]S >E RELEGAT$ TO M9D-NUMB+1 BOR+1 ME*ANICAL JOBS & ONLY A SMALL ELITE IS ALL[$ TO 9DULGE 9 IMAG9ATIVE LABOR1 LEAD+ TO ! FEEL+1 ON ! P>T ( ! WORK]S1 ?AT !Y >E ALI5AT$ FROM !IR [N LABOR1 ?AT !IR V]Y DE$S BELONG TO SOMEONE ELSE4 ,IT MI<T ALSO CREATE SOCIAL SITUATIONS :]E K+S1 POLITICIANS1 CELEBRITIES OR ,C,E,OS PRANCE AB\T OBLIVI\S TO ALMO/ EV]Y?+ >\ND !M :ILE !IR WIVES1 S]VANTS1 /AFF1 & H&L]S SP5D ALL !IR TIME 5GAG$ 9 ! IMAG9ATIVE WORK ( MA9TA9+ !M 9 !IR FANTASIES4 ,MO/ SITUATIONS ( 9EQUALITY1 ,I SUSPECT1 COMB9E ELEM5TS ( BO?4 

,! SUBJECTIVE EXP]I5CE ( LIV+ 9SIDE SU* LOPSID$ /RUCTURES ( IMAG9ATION IS :AT WE >E REF]R+ TO :5 WE TALK AB\T 0ALI5ATION04 

,IT /RIKES ME ?AT IF NO?+ ELSE1 ?IS P]SPECTIVE W\LD HELP EXPLA9 ! L+]+ APPEAL ( !ORIES ( ALI5ATION 9 REVOLUTION>Y CIRCLES1 EV5 :5 ! ACADEMIC ,LEFT HAS LONG S9CE AB&ON$ !M4 ,IF ONE 5T]S AN AN>*I/ 9FO%OP1 ALMO/ ANY:]E 9 ! WORLD1 ! ,FR5* AU?ORS ONE IS LIKELY TO 5C\NT] WILL /ILL L>GELY CONSI/ ( ,SITUATIONI/S LIKE ,GUY ,DEBORD & ,RA\L ,VANEIGEM1 ! GREAT !ORI/S ( ALI5ATION 7ALONGSIDE !ORI/S ( ! IMAG9ATION LIKE ,CORNELIUS ,CA/ORIADIS74 ,= A LONG TIME ,I WAS G5U9ELY PUZZL$ AS TO H[ SO MANY SUBURBAN ,AM]ICAN TE5AG]S C\LD BE 5TRANC$1 = 9/ANCE1 BY ,RA\L ,VANEIGEM'S ,! ,REVOLUTION ( ,EV]YDAY ,LIFE -- A BOOK1 AFT] ALL1 WRITT5 9 ,P>IS ALMO/ =TY YE>S AGO4 ,9 ! 5D ,I DECID$ IT MU/ BE BECAUSE ,VANEIGEM'S BOOK WAS1 9 ITS [N WAY1 ! HI<E/ !ORETICAL EXPRESSION ( ! FEEL+S ( RAGE1 BOR$OM1 & REVULSION ?AT ALMO/ ANY ADOLESC5T AT SOME PO9T FEELS :5 CONFRONT$ ) ! MIDDLE CLASS EXI/5CE4 ,! S5SE ( A LIFE BROK5 9TO FRAGM5TS1 ) NO ULTIMATE MEAN+ OR 9TEGRITY2 ( A CYNICAL M>KET SY/EM SELL+ ITS VICTIMS COMMODITIES & SPECTACLES ?AT !MSELVES REPRES5T T9Y FALSE IMAGES ( ! V]Y S5SE ( TOTALITY & PLEASURE & COMMUNITY ! M>KET HAS 9 FACT DE/ROY$2 ! T5D5CY TO TURN EV]Y RELATION 9TO A =M ( EX*ANGE1 TO SACRIFICE LIFE = 0SURVIVAL01 PLEASURE = R5UNCIATION1 CREATIVITY = HOLL[ HOMOG5\S UNITS ( P[] OR 0DEAD TIME0 -- ON SOME LEVEL ALL ?IS CLE>LY /ILL R+S TRUE4 

,! QUE/ION ?\< IS :Y4 ,CONTEMPOR>Y SOCIAL !ORY (F]S LITTLE EXPLANATION4 ,PO//RUCTURALISM1 :I* EM]G$ 9 ! IMM$IATE AFT]MA? ( '#f#h1 WAS L>GELY BORN ( ! REJECTION ( ?IS SORT ( ANALYSIS4 ,IT IS N[ SIMPLE COMMON S5SE AMONG SOCIAL !ORI/S ?AT ONE CANNOT DEF9E A SOCIETY AS 0UNNATURAL0 UNLESS ONE ASSUMES ?AT !RE IS SOME NATURAL WAY = SOCIETY TO BE1 09HUMAN0 UNLESS !RE IS SOME AU!NTIC HUMAN ESS5CE1 ?AT ONE CANNOT SAY ?AT ! SELF IS 0FRAGM5T$0 UNLESS IT W\LD BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A UNIFI$ SELF1 & SO ON4 ,S9CE !SE POSITIONS >E UNT5ABLE -- S9CE !RE IS NO NATURAL CONDITION = SOCIETY1 NO AU!NTIC HUMAN ESS5CE1 NO UNIT>Y SELF -- !ORIES ( ALI5ATION HAVE NO BASIS4 ,TAK5 PURELY AS >GUM5TS1 !SE SEEM DIFFICULT TO REFUTE4 ,BUT H[ !N DO WE ACC\NT = ! EXP]I5CE8 

,IF ONE REALLY ?9KS AB\T IT1 ?\<1 ! >GUM5T IS MU* LESS P[]FUL ?AN IT SEEMS4 ,AFT] ALL1 :AT >E ACADEMIC !ORI/S SAY+8 ,!Y >E SAY+ ?AT ! IDEA ( A UNIT>Y SUBJECT1 A :OLE SOCIETY1 A NATURAL ORD]1 >E UNREAL4 ,?AT ALL !SE ?+S >E SIMPLY FIGM5TS ( \R IMAG9ATION4 ,TRUE 5\<4 ,BUT !N3 :AT ELSE C\LD !Y BE8 ,& :Y IS ?AT A PROBLEM8 ,IF IMAG9ATION IS 9DE$ A CON/ITU5T ELEM5T 9 ! PROCESS ( H[ WE PRODUCE \R SOCIAL & MAT]IAL REALITIES1 !RE IS EV]Y REASON TO BELIEVE ?AT IT PROCE$S ?R\< PRODUC+ IMAGES ( TOTALITY4 ,?AT'S SIMPLY H[ ! IMAG9ATION WORKS4 ,ONE MU/ BE ABLE TO IMAG9E ONESELF & O!RS AS 9TEGRAT$ SUBJECTS 9 ORD] TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE BE+S ?AT >E 9 FACT 5DLESSLY MULTIPLE1 IMAG9E SOME SORT ( COH]5T1 B\ND$ 0SOCIETY0 9 ORD] TO PRODUCE ?AT *AOTIC OP5-5D$ NETWORK ( SOCIAL RELATIONS ?AT ACTUALLY EXI/S1 & SO =?4 ,NORMALLY1 PEOPLE SEEM ABLE TO LIVE ) ! DISP>ITY4 ,! QUE/ION1 IT SEEMS TO ME1 IS :Y 9 C]TA9 TIMES & PLACES1 ! RECOGNITION ( IT 9/EAD T5DS TO SP>K RAGE & DESPAIR1 FEEL+S ?AT ! SOCIAL WORLD IS A HOLL[ TRAVE/Y OR MALICI\S JOKE4 ,?IS1 ,I W\LD >GUE1 IS ! RESULT ( ?AT W>P+ & %ATT]+ ( ! IMAG9ATION ?AT IS ! 9EVITABLE EFFECT ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE4 

,P>T ,I,V3 ,ON ,REVOLUTION 

,! ,SITUATIONI/S1 LIKE MANY '#fS RADICALS1 WI%$ TO /RIKE BACK ?R\< A /RATEGY ( DIRECT ACTION3 CREAT+ 0SITUATIONS0 BY CREATIVE ACTS ( SUBV]SION ?AT UND]M9$ ! LOGIC ( ! ,SPECTACLE & ALL[$ ACTORS TO AT LEA/ MOM5T>ILY RECAPTURE !IR IMAG9ATIVE P[]S4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 !Y ALSO FELT ALL ?IS WAS 9EVITABLY LEAD+ UP TO A GREAT 9SURRECTION>Y MOM5T -- 0!0 REVOLUTION1 PROP]LY SPEAK+4 ,IF ! EV5TS ( ,MAY '#f#h %[$ ANY?+1 IT WAS ?AT IF ONE DOES NOT AIM TO SEIZE /ATE P[]1 !RE CAN BE NO SU* FUNDAM5TAL1 ONE-TIME BREAK4 ,! MA9 DIFF]5CE BETWE5 ! ,SITUATIONI/S & !IR MO/ AVID CURR5T READ]S IS ?AT ! MILL5>IAN ELEM5T HAS ALMO/ COMPLETELY FALL5 AWAY4 ,NO ONE ?9KS ! SKIES >E AB\T TO OP5 ANY TIME SOON4 ,!RE IS A CONSOLATION ?\<3 ?AT AS A RESULT1 AS CLOSE AS ONE CAN COME TO EXP]I5C+ G5U9E REVOLUTION>Y FRE$OM1 ONE CAN BEG9 TO EXP]I5CE IT IMM$IATELY4 ,CONSID] ! FOLL[+ /ATEM5T FROM ! ,CRIME?9C COLLECTIVE1 PROBABLY ! MO/ 9SPIR+ Y\NG AN>*I/ PROPAG&I/S OP]AT+ 9 ! ,SITUATIONI/ TRADITION TODAY3 

0,WE MU/ MAKE \R FRE$OM BY CUTT+ HOLES 9 ! FABRIC ( ?IS REALITY1 BY =G+ NEW REALITIES :I* WILL1 9 TURN1 FA%ION US4 ,PUTT+ Y\RSELF 9 NEW SITUATIONS CON/ANTLY IS ! ONLY WAY TO 5SURE ?AT Y\ MAKE Y\R DECISIONS UN5CUMB]$ BY ! 9]TIA ( HABIT1 CU/OM1 LAW1 OR PREJUDICE -- & IT IS UP TO Y\ TO CREATE !SE SITUATIONS 

,FRE$OM ONLY EXI/S 9 ! MOM5T ( REVOLUTION4 ,& ?OSE MOM5TS >E NOT AS R>E AS Y\ ?9K4 ,*ANGE1 REVOLUTION>Y *ANGE1 IS GO+ ON CON/ANTLY & EV]Y:]E -- & EV]YONE PLAYS A P>T 9 IT1 CONSCI\SLY OR NOT40 

,:AT IS ?IS BUT AN ELEGANT /ATEM5T ( ! LOGIC ( DIRECT ACTION3 ! DEFIANT 9SI/5CE ON ACT+ AS IF ONE IS ALREADY FREE8 ,! OBVI\S QUE/ION IS H[ IT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO AN OV]ALL /RATEGY1 ONE ?AT %\LD LEAD TO A CUMULATIVE MOVEM5T T[>DS A WORLD )\T /ATES & CAPITALISM4 ,H]E1 NO ONE IS COMPLETELY SURE4 ,MO/ ASSUME ! PROCESS C\LD ONLY BE ONE ( 5DLESS IMPROVIZATION4 ,9SURRECTION>Y MOM5TS !RE WILL C]TA9LY BE4 ,LIKELY AS NOT1 QUITE A FEW ( !M4 ,BUT !Y WILL MO/ LIKELY BE ONE ELEM5T 9 A F> MORE COMPLEX & MULTIFACET$ REVOLUTION>Y PROCESS :OSE \TL9ES C\LD H>DLY1 AT ?IS PO9T1 BE FULLY ANTICIPAT$4 

,9 RETROSPECT1 :AT SEEMS /RIK+LY NAIVE IS ! OLD ASSUMPTION ?AT A S+LE UPRIS+ OR SUCCESSFUL CIVIL W> C\LD1 AS IT W]E1 NEUTRALIZE ! 5TIRE APP>ATUS ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE1 AT LEA/ )9 A P>TICUL> NATIONAL T]RITORY3 ?AT )9 ?AT T]RITORY1 RI<T-W+ REALITIES C\LD BE SIMPLY SWEPT AWAY1 TO LEAVE ! FIELD OP5 = AN UNTRAMMEL$ \TP\R+ ( REVOLUTION>Y CREATIVITY4 ,BUT IF SO1 ! TRULY PUZZL+ ?+ IS ?AT1 AT C]TA9 MOM5TS ( HUMAN HI/ORY1 ?AT APPE>$ TO BE EXACTLY :AT WAS HAPP5+4 ,IT SEEMS TO ME ?AT IF WE >E TO HAVE ANY *ANCE ( GRASP+ ! NEW1 EM]G+ CONCEPTION ( REVOLUTION1 WE NE$ TO BEG9 BY ?9K+ AGA9 AB\T ! QUALITY ( !SE 9SURRECTION>Y MOM5TS4 

,ONE ( ! MO/ REM>KABLE ?+S AB\T SU* MOM5TS IS H[ !Y CAN SEEM TO BUR/ \T ( NO:]E -- & !N1 (T51 DISSOLVE AWAY AS QUICKLY4 ,H[ IS IT ?AT ! SAME 0PUBLIC0 ?AT TWO MON?S BE=E SAY1 ! ,P>IS ,COMMUNE1 OR ,SPANI% ,CIVIL ,W>1 HAD VOT$ 9 A FAIRLY MOD]ATE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC REGIME WILL SUDD5LY F9D ITSELF WILL+ TO RISK !IR LIVES = ! SAME ULTRA-RADICALS :O RECEIV$ A FRACTION ( ! ACTUAL VOTE8 ,OR1 TO RETURN TO ,MAY '#f#h1 H[ IS IT ?AT ! SAME PUBLIC ?AT SEEM$ TO SUPPORT OR AT LEA/ FEEL /RONGLY SYMPA!TIC T[>D ! /UD5T_/WORK] UPRIS+ C\LD ALMO/ IMM$IATELY AFT]W>DS RETURN TO ! POLLS & ELECT A RI<T-W+ GOV]NM5T8 ,! MO/ COMMON HI/ORICAL EXPLANATIONS -- ?AT ! REVOLUTION>IES DIDN'T REALLY REPRES5T ! PUBLIC OR ITS 9T]E/S1 BUT ?AT ELEM5TS ( ! PUBLIC P]HAPS BECAME CAU<T UP 9 SOME SORT ( IRRATIONAL EFF]VESC5CE -- SEEM OBVI\SLY 9ADEQUATE4 ,FIR/ ( ALL1 !Y ASSUME ?AT '! PUBLIC' IS AN 5TITY ) OP9IONS1 9T]E/S1 & ALLEGIANCES ?AT CAN BE TREAT$ AS RELATIVELY CONSI/5T OV] TIME4 ,9 FACT :AT WE CALL 0! PUBLIC0 IS CREAT$1 PRODUC$1 ?R\< SPECIFIC 9/ITUTIONS ?AT ALL[ SPECIFIC =MS ( ACTION -- TAK+ POLLS1 WAT*+ TELEVISION1 VOT+1 SIGN+ PETITIONS OR WRIT+ LETT]S TO ELECT$ (FICIALS OR ATT5D+ PUBLIC HE>+S -- & NOT O!RS4 ,!SE FRAMES ( ACTION IMPLY C]TA9 WAYS ( TALK+1 ?9K+1 >GU+1 DELIB]AT+4 ,! SAME 0PUBLIC0 ?AT MAY WIDELY 9DULGE 9 ! USE ( RECREATIONAL *EMICALS MAY ALSO CONSI/5TLY VOTE TO MAKE SU* 9DULG5CES ILLEGAL2 ! SAME COLLECTION ( CITIZ5S >E LIKELY TO COME TO COMPLETELY DIFF]5T DECISIONS ON QUE/IONS AFFECT+ !IR COMMUNITIES IF ORGANIZ$ 9TO A P>LIAM5T>Y SY/EM1 A SY/EM ( COMPUT]IZ$ PLEBISCITES1 OR A NE/$ S]IES ( PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES4 ,9 FACT ! 5TIRE AN>*I/ PROJECT ( RE9V5T+ DIRECT DEMOCRACY IS PREMIS$ ON ASSUM+ ?IS IS ! CASE4 

,TO ILLU/RATE :AT ,I MEAN1 CONSID] ?AT 9 ,AM]ICA1 ! SAME COLLECTION ( PEOPLE REF]R$ TO 9 ONE CONTEXT AS 0! PUBLIC0 CAN 9 ANO!R BE REF]R$ TO AS 0! WORK=CE40 ,!Y BECOME A 0WORK=CE01 ( C\RSE1 :5 !Y >E 5GAG$ 9 DIFF]5T SORTS ( ACTIVITY4 ,! 0PUBLIC0 DOES NOT WORK -- AT LEA/1 A S5T5CE LIKE 0MO/ ( ! ,AM]ICAN PUBLIC WORKS 9 ! S]VICE 9DU/RY0 W\LD NEV] APPE> 9 A MAGAZ9E OR PAP] -- IF A J\RNALI/ W]E TO ATTEMPT TO WRITE SU* A S5T5CE1 !IR $ITOR W\LD C]TA9LY *ANGE IT4 ,IT IS ESPECIALLY ODD S9CE ! PUBLIC DOES APP>5TLY HAVE TO GO TO WORK3 ?IS IS :Y1 AS LEFTI/ CRITICS (T5 COMPLA91 ! M$IA WILL ALWAYS TALK AB\T H[1 SAY1 A TRANSPORT /RIKE IS LIKELY TO 9CONV5I5CE ! PUBLIC1 9 !IR CAPACITY ( COMMUT]S1 BUT IT WILL NEV] OCCUR TO !M ?AT ?OSE /RIK+ >E !MSELVES P>T ( ! PUBLIC1 OR ?AT :E!R IF !Y SUCCE$ 9 RAIS+ WAGE LEVELS ?IS WILL BE A PUBLIC B5EFIT4 ,& C]TA9LY ! 0PUBLIC0 DOES NOT GO \T 9TO ! /REETS4 ,ITS ROLE IS AS AUDI5CE TO PUBLIC SPECTACLES1 & CONSUM]S ( PUBLIC S]VICES4 ,:5 BUY+ OR US+ GOODS & S]VICES PRIVATELY SUPPLI$1 ! SAME COLLECTION ( 9DIVIDUALS BECOME SOME?+ ELSE 70CONSUM]S071 JU/ AS 9 O!R CONTEXTS ( ACTION !Y >E RELABEL$ A 0NATION01 0ELECTORATE01 OR 0POPULATION04 

,ALL !SE 5TITIES >E ! PRODUCT ( 9/ITUTIONS & 9/ITUTIONAL PRACTICES ?AT1 9 TURN1 DEF9E C]TA9 HORIZONS ( POSSIBILITY4 ,H5CE :5 VOT+ 9 P>LIAM5T>Y ELECTIONS ONE MI<T FEEL OBLIG$ TO MAKE A 0REALI/IC0 *OICE2 9 AN 9SURRECTION>Y SITUATION1 ON ! O!R H&1 SUDD5LY ANY?+ SEEMS POSSIBLE4 

,A GREAT DEAL ( REC5T REVOLUTION>Y ?\<T ESS5TIALLY ASKS3 :AT1 !N1 DOES ?IS COLLECTION ( PEOPLE BECOME DUR+ SU* 9SURRECTION>Y MOM5TS8 ,= ! LA/ FEW C5TURIES ! CONV5TIONAL ANSW] HAS BE5 0! PEOPLE01 & ALL MOD]N LEGAL REGIMES ULTIMATELY TRACE !IR LEGITIMACY TO MOM5TS ( 0CON/ITU5T P[]01 :5 ! PEOPLE RISE UP1 USUALLY 9 >MS1 TO CREATE A NEW CON/ITUTIONAL ORD]4 ,! 9SURRECTION>Y P>ADIGM1 9 FACT1 IS EMB$D$ 9 ! V]Y IDEA ( ! MOD]N /ATE4 ,A NUMB] ( ,EUROPEAN !ORI/S1 UND]/&+ ?AT ! GR\ND HAS %IFT$1 HAVE PROPOS$ A NEW T]M1 0! MULTITUDE01 AN 5TITY ?AT CANNOT BY DEF9ITION BECOME ! BASIS = A NEW NATIONAL OR BUREAUCRATIC /ATE4 ,= ME ! PROJECT IS DEEPLY AMBIVAL5T4 

,9 ! T]MS ,I'VE BE5 DEVELOP+1 :AT 0! PUBLIC01 0! WORK=CE01 0CONSUM]S01 0POPULATION0 ALL HAVE 9 COMMON IS ?AT !Y >E BR\<T 9TO BE+ BY 9/ITUTIONALIZ$ FRAMES ( ACTION ?AT >E 9H]5TLY BUREAUCRATIC1 & !RE=E1 PR(\NDLY ALI5AT+4 ,VOT+ BOO?S1 TELEVISION SCRE5S1 (FICE CUBICLES1 HOSPITALS1 ! RITUAL ?AT SURR\NDS !M -- ONE MI<T SAY !SE >E ! V]Y MA*9]Y ( ALI5ATION4 ,!Y >E ! 9/RUM5TS ?R\< :I* ! HUMAN IMAG9ATION IS SMA%$ & %ATT]$4 ,9SURRECTION>Y MOM5TS >E MOM5TS :5 ?IS BUREAUCRATIC APP>ATUS IS NEUTRALIZ$4 ,DO+ SO ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE ! EFFECT ( ?R[+ HORIZONS ( POSSIBILITY WIDE OP54 ,?IS ONLY TO BE EXPECT$ IF ONE ( ! MA9 ?+S ?AT APP>ATUS NORMALLY DOES IS TO 5=CE EXTREMELY LIMIT$ ONES4 7,?IS IS PROBABLY :Y1 AS ,REBECCA ,SOLNIT HAS OBS]V$1 PEOPLE (T5 EXP]I5CE SOME?+ V]Y SIMIL> DUR+ NATURAL DISA/]S47 ,?IS W\LD EXPLA9 :Y REVOLUTION>Y MOM5TS ALWAYS SEEM TO BE FOLL[$ BY AN \TP\R+ ( SOCIAL1 >TI/IC1 & 9TELLECTUAL CREATIVITY4 ,NORMALLY UNEQUAL /RUCTURES ( IMAG9ATIVE ID5TIFICATION >E DISRUPT$2 EV]YONE IS EXP]IM5T+ ) TRY+ TO SEE ! WORLD FROM UNFAMILI> PO9TS ( VIEW4 ,NORMALLY UNEQUAL /RUCTURES ( CREATIVITY >E DISRUPT$2 EV]YONE FEELS NOT ONLY ! RI<T1 BUT USUALLY ! IMM$IATE PRACTICAL NE$ TO RECREATE & REIMAG9E EV]Y?+ >\ND !M4 

,H5CE ! AMBIVAL5CE ( ! PROCESS ( R5AM+4 ,ON ! ONE H&1 IT IS UND]/&ABLE ?AT ?OSE :O WI% TO MAKE RADICAL CLAIMS W\LD LIKE TO KN[ 9 :OSE NAME !Y >E MAK+ !M4 ,ON ! O!R1 IF :AT ,I'VE BE5 SAY+ IS TRUE1 ! :OLE PROJECT ( FIR/ 9VOK+ A REVOLUTION>Y 0MULTITUDE01 & !N TO />T LOOK+ = ! DYNAMIC =CES ?AT LIE BEH9D IT1 BEG9S TO LOOK A LOT LIKE ! FIR/ /EP ( ?AT V]Y PROCESS ( 9/ITUTIONALIZATION ?AT MU/ EV5TUALLY KILL ! V]Y ?+ IT CELEBRATES4 ,SUBJECTS 7PUBLICS1 PEOPLES1 WORK=CES4447 >E CREAT$ BY SPECIFIC 9/ITUTIONAL /RUCTURES ?AT >E ESS5TIALLY FRAMEWORKS = ACTION4 ,!Y >E :AT !Y DO4 ,:AT REVOLUTION>IES DO IS TO BREAK EXI/+ FRAMES TO CREATE NEW HORIZONS ( POSSIBILITY1 AN ACT ?AT !N ALL[S A RADICAL RE/RUCTUR+ ( ! SOCIAL IMAG9ATION ,?IS IS P]HAPS ! ONE =M ( ACTION ?AT CANNOT1 BY DEF9ITION1 BE 9/ITUTIONALIZ$4 ,?IS IS :Y A NUMB] ( REVOLUTION>Y ?9K]S1 FROM ,RAFFAELE ,LAUDANI 9 ,ITALY TO ! ,COLECTIVO ,SITUACIONES 9 ,>G5T9A1 HAVE BEGUN TO SUGGE/ IT MI<T BE BETT] H] TO SPEAK NOT ( 0CON/ITU5T0 BUT 0DE/ITU5T P[]04 

,REVOLUTION 9 ,REV]SE 

,!RE IS A /RANGE P>ADOX 9 ,M>X'S APPROA* TO REVOLUTION4 ,G5]ALLY SPEAK+1 :5 ,M>X SPEAKS ( MAT]IAL CREATIVITY1 HE SPEAKS ( 0PRODUCTION01 & H]E HE 9SI/S1 AS ,I'VE M5TION$1 ?AT ! DEF9+ FEATURE ( HUMANITY IS ?AT WE FIR/ IMAG9E ?+S1 & !N TRY TO BR+ !M 9TO BE+4 ,:5 HE SPEAKS ( SOCIAL CREATIVITY IT IS ALMO/ ALWAYS 9 T]MS ( REVOLUTION1 BUT H]E1 HE 9SI/S ?AT IMAG9+ SOME?+ & !N TRY+ TO BR+ IT 9TO BE+ IS PRECISELY :AT WE %\LD NEV] DO4 ,?AT W\LD BE UTOPIANISM1 & = UTOPIANISM1 HE HAD ONLY WI!R+ CONTEMPT4 

,! MO/ G5]\S 9T]PRETATION1 ,I W\LD SUGGE/1 IS ?AT ,M>X ON SOME LEVEL UND]/OOD ?AT ! PRODUCTION ( PEOPLE & SOCIAL RELATIONS WORK$ ON DIFF]5T PR9CIPLES1 BUT ALSO KNEW HE DID NOT REALLY HAVE A !ORY ( :AT ?OSE PR9CIPLES W]E4 ,PROBABLY IT WAS ONLY ) ! RISE ( FEM9I/ !ORY -- ?AT ,I WAS DRAW+ ON SO LIB]ALLY 9 MY E>LI] ANALYSIS -- ?AT IT BECAME POSSIBLE TO ?9K SY/EMATICALLY AB\T SU* ISSUES4 ,I MI<T ADD ?AT IT IS A PR(\ND REFLECTION ON ! EFFECTS ( /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE ON ! IMAG9ATION ?AT FEM9I/ !ORY ITSELF WAS SO QUICKLY SEQUE/]$ AWAY 9TO ITS [N SUBFIELD :]E IT HAS HAD ALMO/ NO IMPACT ON ! WORK ( MO/ MALE !ORI/S4 

,IT SEEMS TO ME NO CO9CID5CE1 !N1 ?AT SO MU* ( ! REAL PRACTICAL WORK ( DEVELOP+ A NEW REVOLUTION>Y P>ADIGM 9 REC5T YE>S HAS ALSO BE5 ! WORK ( FEM9ISM2 OR ANYWAY1 ?AT FEM9I/ CONC]NS HAVE BE5 ! MA9 DRIV+ =CE 9 !IR TRANS=MATION4 ,9 ,AM]ICA1 ! CURR5T AN>*I/ OBSESSION ) CONS5SUS & O!R =MS ( DIRECTLY DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TRACES BACK DIRECTLY TO ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES )9 ! FEM9I/ MOVEM5T4 ,:AT HAD BEGUN1 9 ! LATE '#fS & E>LY '#gS1 AS SMALL1 9TIMATE1 (T5 AN>*I/-9SPIR$ COLLECTIVES W]E ?R[N 9TO CRISIS :5 !Y />T$ GR[+ RAPIDLY 9 SIZE4 ,RA!R ?AN AB&ON ! SE>* = CONS5SUS 9 DECISION-MAK+1 MANY BEGAN TRY+ TO DEVELOP MORE =MAL V]SIONS ON ! SAME PR9CIPLES4 ,?IS1 9 TURN1 9SPIR$ SOME RADICAL ,QUAK]S 7:O HAD PREVI\SLY SE5 !IR [N CONS5SUS DECISION-MAK+ AS PRIM>ILY A RELIGI\S PRACTICE7 TO BEG9 CREAT+ TRA9+ COLLECTIVES4 ,BY ! TIME ( ! DIRECT ACTION CAMPAIGNS AGA9/ ! NUCLE> P[] 9DU/RY 9 ! LATE '#gS1 ! :OLE APP>ATUS ( AFF9ITY GR\PS1 SPOKESC\NCILS1 CONS5SUS & FACILITATION HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO TAKE SOME?+ LIKE ITS CONTEMPOR>Y =M4 ,! RESULT+ \TP\R+ ( NEW =MS ( CONS5SUS PROCESS CON/ITUTES ! MO/ IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE 9 DECADES4 ,IT IS L>GELY ! WORK ( FEM9I/S 5GAG$ 9 PRACTICAL ORGANIZ+ -- A MAJORITY1 PROBABLY1 TI$ TO ! AN>*I/ TRADITION4 ,?IS MAKES IT ALL ! MORE IRONIC ?AT MALE !ORI/S :O HAVE NOT !MSELVES 5GAG$ 9 ON-!-GR\ND ORGANIZ+ OR TAK5 P>T 9 AN>*I/ DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES1 BUT :O F9D !MSELVES DRAWN TO AN>*ISM AS A PR9CIPLE1 SO (T5 FEEL OBLIG$ TO 9CLUDE 9 O!RWISE SYMPA!TIC /ATEM5TS1 ?AT ( C\RSE !Y DON'T AGREE ) ?IS OBVI\SLY IMPRACTICAL1 PIE-9-!-SKY1 UNREALI/IC NOTION ( CONS5SUS4 

,! ORGANIZATION ( MASS ACTIONS !MSELVES -- FE/IVALS ( RESI/ANCE1 AS !Y >E (T5 CALL$ -- CAN BE CONSID]$ PRAGMATIC EXP]IM5TS 9 :E!R IT IS 9DE$ POSSIBLE TO 9/ITUTIONALIZE ! EXP]I5CE ( LIB]ATION1 ! GIDDY REALIGNM5T ( IMAG9ATIVE P[]S1 EV]Y?+ ?AT IS MO/ P[]FUL 9 ! EXP]I5CE ( A SUCCESSFUL SPONTANE\S 9SURRECTION4 ,OR IF NOT TO 9/ITUTIONALIZE IT1 P]HAPS1 TO PRODUCE IT ON CALL4 ,! EFFECT = ?OSE 9VOLV$ IS AS IF EV]Y?+ W]E HAPP5+ 9 REV]SE4 ,A REVOLUTION>Y UPRIS+ BEG9S ) BATTLES 9 ! /REETS1 & IF SUCCESSFUL1 PROCE$S TO \TP\R+S ( POPUL> EFF]VESC5CE & FE/IVITY4 ,!RE FOLL[S ! SOB] BUS9ESS ( CREAT+ NEW 9/ITUTIONS1 C\NCILS1 DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES1 & ULTIMATELY ! RE9V5TION ( EV]YDAY LIFE4 ,SU* AT LEA/ IS ! IDEAL1 & C]TA9LY !RE HAVE BE5 MOM5TS 9 HUMAN HI/ORY :]E SOME?+ LIKE ?AT HAS BEGUN TO HAPP5 -- MU* ?\<1 AGA91 SU* SPONTANE\S CREATIONS ALWAYS SEEMS TO 5D BE+ SUBSUM$ )9 SOME NEW =M ( VIOL5T BUREAUCRACY4 ,H[EV]1 AS ,I'VE NOT$1 ?IS IS MORE OR LESS 9EVITABLE S9CE BUREAUCRACY1 H[EV] MU* IT S]VES AS ! IMM$IATE ORGANIZ] ( SITUATIONS ( P[] & /RUCTURAL BL9DNESS1 DOES NOT CREATE !M4 ,MA9LY1 IT SIMPLY EVOLVES TO MANAGE !M4 

,?IS IS ONE REASON DIRECT ACTION PROCE$S 9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION4 ,PROBABLY A MAJORITY ( ! P>TICIPANTS >E DRAWN FROM SUBCULTURES ?AT >E ALL AB\T RE9V5T+ EV]YDAY LIFE4 ,EV5 IF NOT1 ACTIONS BEG9 ) ! CREATION ( NEW =MS ( COLLECTIVE DECISION-MAK+3 C\NCILS1 ASSEMBLIES1 ! 5DLESS ATT5TION TO 'PROCESS' -- & USES ?OSE =MS TO PLAN ! /REET ACTIONS & POPUL> FE/IVITIES4 ,! RESULT IS1 USUALLY1 A DRAMATIC CONFRONTATION ) >M$ REPRES5TATIVES ( ! /ATE4 ,:ILE MO/ ORGANIZ]S W\LD BE DELI<T$ TO SEE ?+S ESCALATE TO A POPUL> 9SURRECTION1 & SOME?+ LIKE ?AT DOES OCCASIONALLY HAPP51 MO/ W\LD NOT EXPECT !SE TO M>K ANY K9D ( P]MAN5T BREAKS 9 REALITY4 ,!Y S]VE MORE AS SOME?+ ALMO/ ALONG ! L9ES ( MOM5T>Y ADV]TISEM5TS -- OR BETT]1 =ETA/ES1 EXP]I5CES ( VISION>Y 9SPIRATION -- = A MU* SL[]1 PA9/AK+ /RUGGLE ( CREAT+ ALT]NATIVE 9/ITUTIONS4 

,ONE ( ! MO/ IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS ( FEM9ISM1 IT SEEMS TO ME1 HAS BE5 TO CON/ANTLY REM9D EV]YONE ?AT 0SITUATIONS0 DO NOT CREATE !MSELVES4 ,!RE IS USUALLY A GREAT DEAL ( WORK 9VOLV$4 ,= MU* ( HUMAN HI/ORY1 :AT HAS BE5 TAK5 AS POLITICS HAS CONSI/$ ESS5TIALLY ( A S]IES ( DRAMATIC P]=MANCES C>RI$ \T UPON !ATRICAL /AGES4 ,ONE ( ! GREAT GIFTS ( FEM9ISM TO POLITICAL ?\<T HAS BE5 TO CONT9UALLY REM9D US ( ! PEOPLE IS 9 FACT MAK+ & PREP>+ & CLEAN+ ?OSE /AGES1 & EV5 MORE1 MA9TA9+ ! 9VISIBLE /RUCTURES ?AT MAKE !M POSSIBLE -- PEOPLE :O HAVE1 OV]:ELM+LY1 BE5 WOM54 ,! NORMAL PROCESS ( POLITICS ( C\RSE IS TO MAKE SU* PEOPLE DISAPPE>4 ,9DE$ ONE ( ! *IEF FUNCTIONS ( WOM5'S WORK IS TO MAKE ITSELF DISAPPE>4 ,ONE MI<T SAY ?AT ! POLITICAL IDEAL )9 DIRECT ACTION CIRCLES HAS BECOME TO EFFACE ! DIFF]5CE2 OR1 TO PUT IT ANO!R WAY1 ?AT ACTION IS SE5 AS G5U9ELY REVOLUTION>Y :5 ! PROCESS ( PRODUCTION ( SITUATIONS IS EXP]I5C$ AS JU/ AS LIB]AT+ AS ! SITUATIONS !MSELVES4 ,IT IS AN EXP]IM5T ONE MI<T SAY 9 ! REALIGNM5T ( IMAG9ATION1 ( CREAT+ TRULY NON-ALI5AT$ =MS ( EXP]I5CE4 

,CONCLUSION 

,OBVI\SLY IT IS ALSO ATTEMPT+ TO DO SO 9 A CONTEXT 9 :I*1 F> FROM BE+ PUT 9 TEMPOR>Y ABEYANCE1 /ATE P[] 79 MANY P>TS ( ! GLOBE AT LEA/7 SO SUFFUSES EV]Y ASPECT ( DAILY EXI/5CE ?AT ITS >M$ REPRES5TATIVES 9T]V5E TO REGULATE ! 9T]NAL ORGANIZATIONAL /RUCTURE ( GR\PS ALL[$ TO CA% *ECKS OR [N & OP]ATE MOTOR VEHICLES4 ,ONE ( ! REM>KABLE ?+S AB\T ! CURR5T1 NEOLIB]AL AGE IS ?AT BUREAUCRACY HAS COME TO BE SO ALL-5COMPASS+ -- ?IS P]IOD HAS SE51 AFT] ALL1 ! CREATION ( ! FIR/ EFFECTIVE GLOBAL ADM9I/RATIVE SY/EM 9 HUMAN HI/ORY -- ?AT WE DON'T EV5 SEE IT ANY MORE4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! PRESSURES ( OP]AT+ )9 A CONTEXT ( 5DLESS REGULATION1 REPRESSION1 SEXISM1 RACIAL & CLASS DOM9ANCE1 T5D TO 5SURE MANY :O GET DRAWN 9TO ! POLITICS ( DIRECT ACTION EXP]I5CE A CON/ANT ALT]ATION ( EXALTATION & BURN-\T1 MOM5TS :]E EV]Y?+ SEEMS POSSIBLE ALT]NAT+ ) MOM5TS :]E NO?+ DOES4 ,9 O!R P>TS ( ! WORLD1 AUTONOMY IS MU* EASI] TO A*IEVE1 BUT AT ! CO/ ( ISOLATION OR ALMO/ COMPLETE ABS5CE ( RES\RCES4 ,H[ TO CREATE ALLIANCES BETWE5 DIFF]5T ZONES ( POSSIBILITY IS A FUNDAM5TAL PROBLEM4 

,!SE H[EV] >E QUE/IONS ( /RATEGY ?AT GO WELL BEYOND ! SCOPE ( ! CURR5T ESSAY4 ,MY PURPOSE H]E HAS BE5 MORE MODE/4 ,REVOLUTION>Y !ORY1 IT SEEMS TO ME1 HAS 9 MANY FRONTS ADVANC$ MU* LESS QUICKLY ?AN REVOLUTION>Y PRACTICE2 MY AIM 9 WRIT+ ?IS HAS BE5 TO SEE IF ONE C\LD WORK BACK FROM ! EXP]I5CE ( DIRECT ACTION TO BEG9 TO CREATE SOME NEW !ORETICAL TOOLS4 ,!Y >E H>DLY MEANT TO BE DEF9ITIVE4 ,!Y MAY NOT EV5 PROVE USEFUL4 ,BUT P]HAPS !Y CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A BROAD] PROJECT ( RE-IMAG9+4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #g1 #bba 3 ,REVOLUTION 9 ,REV]SE -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #d1 #bbb 3 ,REVOLUTION 9 ,REV]SE -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/