Anarchist Studies |
Herbert Marcuse's challenge to 'orthodox' Marxist theory echoes the libertarian thinking of Michael Bakunin. Both theorists posit the revolutionary potential of an 'underclass'. Late capitalism, in de-radicalising and co-opting the industrial proletariat, has simultaneously recreated this underclass. The existence and revolutionary potential of this underclass in a modern context is discussed, with particular reference to the need for a directing consciousness, and to the instinctive 'will to revolt'. It is concluded that despite the difficulties raised by the issue of consciousness, this group might, as Bakunin argued, embody a revolutionary potential which challenges the 'one dimensional' nature of modern society and late capitalism.
Feyerabend's philosophy of science is placed in the context of Richard Dawkins' memetic theory of culture, and used to show that memetic diversity is not only desirable as a framework for tolerance and equality, but also essential to survival of culture as a whole and science in particular. Dawkins' meme theory is shown to function in an anarchist manner, contrary to those who would argue that it is representative of the New Right. It also provides a framework for an alternative metanarrative, against Francis Fukuyama's 'end of history'. The appendix comments briefly on Feyerabend's politics.
Within Spanish anarchist and anarcho-syndicalist organisations of the 1930s, there were protracted debates on the nature of sexuality, sexual morality and sexology. This article presents translated extracts and summaries of the one of the most eloquent contributors to these debates, Felix Marti Ibanez
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