The centre will not hold: changing principles of political hope
Soundings - ISSN 1362-6620
Volume 2015 Number 60
The centre will not hold: changing principles of political hope
Phil Cohen pages -
Abstract
This article argues for a new common sense, understood in Gramscism terms. It urges an ‘uncommon sense’ that is capable of rupturing the endless celebration _ but underpinning anxiety - that defines late capitalism in Britain. The currently dominant cultural mood could be characterised as an inversion of Gramsci’s famous mantra: pessimism of the intellect has been replaced by an empty intellectual optimism, while optimism of the will has been replaced by a deeply disempowering pessimism, including on the left. The condition of precarity is symptomatic of contemporary capitalism and this can only be copmbatted through a new politics of hope based on comprehending the extent of the difficulties we face, but also recognising that our current battles take place within a historical perspective of longer duration.
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To cite this article
Phil Cohen (2015) The centre will not hold: changing principles of political hope, Soundings, 2015(60), -