Vilifying Communism and Accommodating Imperialism: The Sham and Shame of Slavoj Žižek’s 'Honest Pessimism'

Abstract

Events of the past year, from Egypt to the Occupy movements, are opening new vistas and throwing up big issues for debate. Can you break out of the framework of capitalism? Is there a relevant Marxist vision and strategy that speaks to the enormity of the problems humanity confronts and that yields liberatory solutions? In short, is a radically different, and better, world possible?This is the backdrop for my polemic against the political philosophy of Slavoj Zizek. This is a debate that takes in the lessons of the revolutions of the 20th century, the significance of Bob Avakian's new synthesis of communism, and the nature of the world capitalist system. I am arguing that Zizek's stance, despite his radical reputation, is actually harmful to the cause of revolution.