#radicaldemocracy

[chillifather]

Demokratický konfederalismus Abdullaha Öcalana . #book #politics #radicaldemocracy #freedom #internationalism #theory #history #kurds #freedom4rojava #rojava #fuckfascistturkey #freekurdistan #chillifatherexlibris https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFdRRbN7tv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ilusyongdemokrasya]

[5] On the implications of red-tagging on radical democracy

Social media has become a powerful tool for conversation and in recent years, has become an extension of activism. The current health crisis has further strengthened social media’s power in connecting a socially-distant society, but has also exposed the systemic flaws from within. While it has become a platform for marginalized groups to challenge the norm, it has also transformed into a tool that undermined voices, especially radical ones. In the Philippines, state and non-state actors have launched anti-communist propaganda by red-tagging activists, peasants, and national groups on social media. The significant increase of red-tagging propaganda during the quarantine poses an inquiry into the conduct of democracy in the Philippines and how it continues to endanger lives.

Radical democracy is a radical extension of the democratic principles of equality and freedom. Laclau and Mouffe’s agonist strand challenges democracy’s neo-liberal and neo-conservative tendencies. They emphasized the need to seek consensus and empower dissent against oppressive structures. Robert Unger opposes this by arguing that society does not emerge from consensus, but from the inherent struggle and political contestation within democracy. As such, radical democracy, in the context of red-tagging, has highlighted the political contestation that arises from challenging oppressive power structures in society. But instead of  safeguarding our platforms for dissent, the internet has perpetrated the abuse of minorities and forced them into a state-led oppression.

Red-tagging or the conscious act of labelling an individual or a group of people as communist sympathizers remains dangerous to this day, especially for activists. As activism and the conduct of such in the Philippines grows stronger each day, state actors have launched a crackdown on their rights and have used government resources to launch communist propaganda. Now how does this reflect on our conduct of activism?

Without a doubt, red-tagging undermines radical voices and ultimately antagonizes the concept of radical democracy. It paved the way for government agencies and police units to mobilize and launch online campaigns that targeted youth groups, community leaders, and even the indigenous peoples for their “communist or far left ideals”. To reduce progressive and radical demands as communist propaganda in nature is to say that we, as humans, do not deserve the basic rights to live.

As such, challenging oppressive power structures and forwarding radical changes within the confines of social media and the internet is the true application of the principles of radical democracy. Red-tagging shall always be a manifestation of a fascist’s desperation, especially when activism in the 21st century has reached unprecedented heights. Indeed, the health crisis has exposed how vulnerable the internet is to elite-led manipulation and how its response is centered on red-tagging innocent individuals. Despite this, the internet remains an essential tool in amplifying the needs of the marginalized, and has given better odds in achieving actual, radical change.

Photo source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/30/19/sc-grants-rights-groups-bid-for-protection-from-red-tagging

[fontyk]

Huge lunchtime crowd at East Stage in rapt attention listening to Yanis Varoufakis’ inside story of the Greek austerity crisis and EU machinations and his role in the creation of a democratic pan-European political movement. #radicaldemocracy #adlww #adlfest (at Pioneer Womens Memorial Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9QZdr9jESr/?igshid=1tq510phieqpk

[fontyk]

Currently on East Stage @adelaidewritersweek @adelaidefestival Greece’s Yanis Varoufakis provides an amazing insight into the Greek austerity crisis with Tony Jones. #radicaldemocracy #adlww #adlfest (at Pioneer Womens Memorial Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9QYuqXDu11/?igshid=kbrf53ub2l54

[philosophyofpower]

23.06.2019

A little attempt to make my Sunday less useless. Oddly enough it worked. Consistency is, after all, an amazing tool and read even a little soothes considerably my guilt for not being productive enough.

[conunpieenamsterdam]

Molt de gust, President! #amsterdam #radicaldemocracy #balie #stadsschouwburg #catalonië #vrijheid (at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam) https://www.instagram.com/p/BocmKOGippuzNXYIkeC7syjTv67PJgf1sF2sTI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=113fbmkq21hz

[fragments-and-fractions-blog]

Woraus besteht das Kapital der Kultur [...]? Zunächst einmal setzt es sich aus Dingen, aus materiellen Gegenständen zusammen: aus Büchern, Bildern, Instrumenten usw., deren Dauer man voraussehen kann, die als Dinge zerbrechlich, empfindlich, vergänglich sind. Doch reicht dieses Material nicht aus. Denn ein Goldbarren, ein Hektar fruchtbaren Landes oder eine Maschine sind auch keine Kapitalien, wenn es den Menschen, der ihrer bedarf und sich ihrer zu bedienen weiß, nicht gibt. Beachten sie diese beiden Bedingungen. Damit aus Kulturmaterial Kapital wird, erfordert es ebenfalls die Existenz von Menschen, die es brauchen und mit ihm umgehen können - das heißt von Menschen, die wissensdurstig sind und die Kraft suchen, sich innerlich zu verändern, Kraft, ihre Sensibilität zu entwickeln; Menschen, die andrerseits die nötige Übung, die erforderliche intellektuelle Disziplin, die notwendigen Vereinbarungen und Fertigkeiten sich anzueignen und dann umzusetzen wissen, um das Arsenal von Dokumenten und Instrument zu benützen, das im Laufe der Jahrhunderte angehäuft wurde.

Paul Valéry In: Jaques Derrida (1992): Das andere Kap. Die vertagte Demokratie. Zwei Essays zu Europa. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp.

[fragments-and-fractions-blog]

Es geht immer darum, eine Idee zu finden, die größer ist als die Situation.

Hjalmar Joffre-Eichhorn (rundschreiben 03/17 medico international)