/313/ Consolation-Prize Marxism & the Bunga-Bunga State ft. Dylan Riley (Patreon)

On political capitalism and social justice.

We continue our interview with Dylan Riley, discussing the limitations of ‘social justice’. Both woke and social-democratic demands today hinge on a notion of fairness. How realistic is it to petition the state to apportion justice in this way?

Together with Robert Brenner, Dylan Riley has advanced the thesis that we are entering an age of 'political capitalism' in which the state becomes central for guaranteeing the rate of return. How convincing is this thesis – and if it's true, does it make social justice appeals more or less relevant?

The interview is followed by the After Party in which we debate these questions in more depth. 

Readings:

Microverses: Observations from a Shattered Present, Dylan Riley, Verso Books

Seven Theses on American Politics, Dylan Riley & Robert Brenner, NLR

Inflection Point (podcast), Dylan Riley & Robert Brenner, UC Berkley

Safe Substitutes for Posting: review of Microverses, Harold Florida, Damage