Advancing Conversations: Srecko Horvat - Subversion!

by Srećko Horvat, Alfie Bown

In a world dominated by capitalism which is dangerously sliding into a new kind of fascism, Srećko Horvat's new book explores the concept of subverting the dominant paradigm in politics, technology and love. Drawing from his own experience of participating in different protest movements all around the world, working closely with WikiLeaks and being one of the protagonists of the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025, Horvat resists the prevailing melancholy of the Left by offering new political imagination beyond traditional concepts. Instead of the tension between horizontal movements or vertical political parties, "Subversion" opts for a radical dialectics of both methods as the only way out of our current deadlock. If there is a crack in everything, the way to use the light that gets in is constructive subversion.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

Srećko Horvat is a Croatian philosopher, author and political activist.

Reviews

[Jonfaith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of three interviews was almost shockingly mundane. The final interview regarding technology was by far the best. The opening section on politics was almost childish with the Croatian philosopher asserting that the war in Syria began because Syria had discovered natural resources and that Syria alone in the entire Middle East lacked significant debt--as if the IMF felt compelled to arm dissidents to Assad. I'm sorry but as an adult I have to call bullshit. Horvat also asserts that the refugee crisis, fears of terrorism (this is all 2016) and subsequent nationalist/populist reaction mark what Giorgio Agamben terms stasis or an ongoing civil war. The citizens of Syria will no doubt be relieved that they weren't the only ones involved with ongoing conflict. Students in Milan and Reading--with their Oxfam pins and Rothy's Sustainable Shoes--are on the front lines as well. I'm sorry I must have missed the reports of the barrel bombs used against the Gottingen chapter of PETA.

The second interview regards love and it offers a synopsis of a The Radicality of Love a book that has garnered him considerable attention as of late, including a glowing (fawning?) interview in last weekend's Guardian. I suppose I can say I saved myself the trouble for that expenditure. We receive two film reviews (Her and Ex Machina) thoughts on Che which leads to technology. This final section almost redeemed the entire endeavor.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully thoughtful and elegantly organized series of exchanges with one of the most committed and sophisticated thinkers of our times.

[Frank Karioris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insights in clear language that strikes upon some of the major elements/themes of our age.

[Subliminal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief overview of Srecko Horvat's core beliefs. Worth reading but no miss if you don't.