In this book Boris Kagarlitsky studies political crisis of international left showing how it is organically connected to the crisis of capitalism. Contrary to common belief, difficulties experienced by the capitalist system and dominant neoliberal ideology are not creating new opportunities for the left. Instead of moving forward in the context of this crisis the left is revealing its weaknesses and political limitations demonstrating to which extent it became itself part of the current system and its ideas are representing nothing more but a radical version of the very same dominant bourgeois ideology replacing the logic of class struggle by the concept of minority rights. The left is in crisis everywhere from Latin America to Ukraine and from Western Europe to Russia. In this context however it is even more important to examine a few existing success stories such as the election of Jeremy Corbyn to Labour leadership in Britain and growing popularity of senator Bernie Sanders in the US. These successes may be seen as signs of a new emerging trend but this assumption can only be valid if we see these developments as a beginning of a totally new radical politics overcoming the dominant logic of liberal political correctness. Only returning to the agenda of class may save the day for the left. However this will also work only if the left recognises that the class structure of capitalist society itself changed dramatically and needs to be reexamined. Repeating the slogans of the 20th century will not work. One has to understand and represent current needs and interests of the toiling masses building up a new program reflecting this reality, developing new practices of solidarity and addressing the issue of power seriously.
The book is addressed to a broad audience interested in political studies, sociology and political economy.
The book is addressed to a broad audience interested in political studies, sociology and political economy.
