Interrogations, Session 7, October 29 Envisioning Real Utopias Seminar Ruptural Transformations

In chapter 8, you emphasize the unfeasibility of a ruptural transformation to bring about socialism. Despite this practical unfeasibility, the concept still holds great appeal for many activist groups seeking to effect social change. In some ways, it holds appeal as a means almost as much as it serves to move such groups towards an end. For instance, for young people who feel powerless to challenge neoliberal expansion, armed social movements, gangs, etc are increasingly appealing in themselves. This vengeful drive may be distasteful, but I think it has to be reckoned with. Take Southern Mexico, for example, where increasing government brutality and popular disaffection with a nonviolent approach are leading increasing numbers of young people to join armed movements. I think we have to speak to the attraction and continuing presence of ruptural transformation as a driving idea for social activists. The idea of “smashing the state” can mobilize and energize people behind a collective project. If a society-wide ruptural transformation is unfeasible, how, also, do we capitalize on the conceptual power of ruptural transformation? [Of course a lot of what is attractive is aggression as such rather than actually ruptural transformation. A good part of the motivation in using violence is not instrumental to some goal, but is expressive; the linkage of violence to transformative goals then has the character of a post hoc rationalization.]