A summary of the book A summary of the book

Alberto J. RevolwareAlberto J. Revolware

Negri & Hardt, Negri & Hardt, CommonwealthCommonwealth

PREFACE: THE BECOMING-PRINCEPREFACE: THE BECOMING-PRINCEOF THE MULTITUDEOF THE MULTITUDE

Our ethical and political project: how can an Our ethical and political project: how can an ethical production be established on the ethical production be established on the shifting ground shifting ground of the production of of the production of subjectivitysubjectivity, which constantly transforms , which constantly transforms fixed values and subjects? fixed values and subjects?

Our challenge will be to find ways to translate Our challenge will be to find ways to translate the productivity and possibility of the productivity and possibility of the poor the poor into into power.power.

Negri&Hardt, wonders if "one can suggest a Negri&Hardt, wonders if "one can suggest a 'Spinozian'Spinozian' reading, or rewriting, of ' reading, or rewriting, of Heidegger's Heidegger's Being and Time.Being and Time.

PART1PART1REPUBLICREPUBLIC(AND THE MULTITUDE OF THE (AND THE MULTITUDE OF THE POOR)POOR)

1.1. REPUBLIC OF 1.1. REPUBLIC OF PROPERTYPROPERTY

Nowadays, the concept of the individual is Nowadays, the concept of the individual is defined by defined by not not being being but but havinghaving, , byby property.property.

Property and the defense of Property and the defense of property property remain the foundation of every modern remain the foundation of every modern political constitution: political constitution: american (9), french (11), american (9), french (11), HaitianHaitian

Social democrats thus never radically Social democrats thus never radically question the republic of property: question the republic of property: Habermas, Habermas, Rawls; Giddens, Beck; Stiglitz, Friedman (18-19)Rawls; Giddens, Beck; Stiglitz, Friedman (18-19)

1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES

Private property in its capitalist form thus Private property in its capitalist form thus produces a relation of exploitation in its produces a relation of exploitation in its fullest sense—the production of the fullest sense—the production of the

human as commodityhuman as commodity—— Negri&Hardt, try to summarize the entry Negri&Hardt, try to summarize the entry

of the of the phenomenology of bodies phenomenology of bodies into into Marxist theory: Marxist theory: Frankfurt School, Frankfurt School, Socialisme ou Socialisme ou BarbarieBarbarie, situationist, events of 1968 (23ss)., situationist, events of 1968 (23ss).

1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES

How phenomenology of body arises: How phenomenology of body arises: voluntarism voluntarism & vitalism, Bergson, Gentile as a dialectic & vitalism, Bergson, Gentile as a dialectic

without negativitywithout negativity Dilthey & von Wartenburg, event, transcendence and Dilthey & von Wartenburg, event, transcendence and

historicism historicism (28).(28). Martin Heidegger, an apology for Martin Heidegger, an apology for fascism fascism (29)(29)

1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES

The phenomenology of bodies in Foucault reaches its The phenomenology of bodies in Foucault reaches its

highest point in his analysis of highest point in his analysis of biopoliticsbiopolitics, his research , his research agenda:agenda:1.1.bodies bodies are the constitutive components of the biopolitical are the constitutive components of the biopolitical fabric of being. fabric of being. 2.2.On the biopolitical terrain where powers are continually On the biopolitical terrain where powers are continually made and unmade, bodies made and unmade, bodies resistresist. History is determined by . History is determined by the biopolitical antagonisms and resistances to biopower. the biopolitical antagonisms and resistances to biopower.

3.3.corporeal resistance produces corporeal resistance produces subjectivitysubjectivity, not in an , not in an isolated or independent way but in the complex dynamic isolated or independent way but in the complex dynamic with the resistances of other bodies.with the resistances of other bodies.

1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES1.2. PRODUCTIVE BODIES

Labor, freed from private property, simultaneously Labor, freed from private property, simultaneously engages all our senses and capacities, in short, all engages all our senses and capacities, in short, all

our our ""humanhuman relations to the world—seeing relations to the world—seeing hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, thinking, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, thinking, contemplating, sensing, wanting, acting, loving." contemplating, sensing, wanting, acting, loving." (Marx) When labor and production are conceived (Marx) When labor and production are conceived in this in this expanded expanded form, crossing all the domains of form, crossing all the domains of life, bodies can never be eclipsed and life, bodies can never be eclipsed and subordinated to any transcendent measure or subordinated to any transcendent measure or power.power.

1.3. THE MULTITUDE OF 1.3. THE MULTITUDE OF THE POORTHE POOR

During the whole history, the specter of a multitude During the whole history, the specter of a multitude of the poor circulates around the globe and of the poor circulates around the globe and threatens the threatens the rule of property rule of property everywhere it takes everywhere it takes root: root:

Francis of Francis of AssisiAssisi.“Iure naturali sunt omnia omnibus" (by natural law .“Iure naturali sunt omnia omnibus" (by natural law all belongs to everyone). all belongs to everyone).

Pamphlets of political struggles in seventeenth-century Pamphlets of political struggles in seventeenth-century EnglandEngland Thomas Thomas Münzer Münzer and the Anabaptists against the German princesand the Anabaptists against the German princes 1647 Putney Debates between the 1647 Putney Debates between the Levellers Levellers and factions of the New and factions of the New

Model Army, Model Army, the 1781 the 1781 TupacTupac Katari attack on Spanish rule in La Paz to the 1857 Katari attack on Spanish rule in La Paz to the 1857 Indian rebellion against the rule of the British East India Company. Indian rebellion against the rule of the British East India Company.

Robert Robert BoyleBoyle, multiplicity and mixture as primary in nature., multiplicity and mixture as primary in nature.

DE CORPORE 1: DE CORPORE 1: BIOPOLITICS AS EVENTBIOPOLITICS AS EVENT

Being is made in Being is made in

the the eventevent, the , the biopolitical event biopolitical event thus breaks with all thus breaks with all forms of forms of metaphysical metaphysical substantialismsubstantialism or or conceptualism.conceptualism.

DE CORPORE 1: DE CORPORE 1: BIOPOLITICS AS EVENTBIOPOLITICS AS EVENT

The rute to the biopolitical event is:The rute to the biopolitical event is: Francois Ewald and Roberto Francois Ewald and Roberto EspositoEsposito, an , an actuarial actuarial administration of administration of

life.life. Giorgio Giorgio AgambenAgamben, negates any constructive capacity of biopolitical , negates any constructive capacity of biopolitical

resistance.resistance. ChomskyChomsky, Simondon, Bernard Stiegler, and Peter Sloterdijk; certain , Simondon, Bernard Stiegler, and Peter Sloterdijk; certain

autonomy in the invariable logical-linguistic structures but that lacks autonomy in the invariable logical-linguistic structures but that lacks a dynamic creative character.a dynamic creative character.

None of these interpretations captures what is most important in None of these interpretations captures what is most important in

Foucault'sFoucault's notion of biopolitics: Biopolitics as an event or, notion of biopolitics: Biopolitics as an event or, really, as a tightly woven fabric of events of freedom.really, as a tightly woven fabric of events of freedom.

Alain Badiou, event as the central question.Alain Badiou, event as the central question. Gilles Gilles DeleuzeDeleuze, precipitating events of resistance that have the , precipitating events of resistance that have the

power not only to escape control but also to create a new world.power not only to escape control but also to create a new world.

PART2PART2MODERNITYMODERNITY(AND THE LANDSCAPES OF (AND THE LANDSCAPES OF ALTERMODERNITY)ALTERMODERNITY)

2.1 2.1 ANTIMODERNITY AS ANTIMODERNITY AS RESISTANCERESISTANCE

MoreMore modernity or a more complete modernity or a more complete modernity is not an answer to our modernity is not an answer to our problems.problems.

ModernityModernity, , colonialitycoloniality, , racismracism, the three , the three together, function as a complex, with together, function as a complex, with each serving as a necessary support for each serving as a necessary support for the other.the other.

2.1 2.1 ANTIMODERNITY AS ANTIMODERNITY AS RESISTANCERESISTANCEClassic analisisClassic analisis Negri & HardtNegri & Hardt

IdeologyIdeology(External)(External)

BiopowerBiopower(Internal)(Internal)

XX

Antimodern Antimodern resistanceresistance

(Internal)(Internal)

Biopolitical Biopolitical StruggleStruggle

(External)(External)

2.2 2.2 AMBIVALENCES OF AMBIVALENCES OF MODERNITYMODERNITY

Marxism Marxism was was simplified into an simplified into an evolutionary theory evolutionary theory of progress from of progress from which all elements which all elements of antimodernity are of antimodernity are excluded excluded as as backward, backward, underdeveloped.underdeveloped.

2.2 2.2 AMBIVALENCES OF AMBIVALENCES OF MODERNITYMODERNITY

Two positive tasks for an analysis of the forces of Two positive tasks for an analysis of the forces of antimodernity. antimodernity. 1.1.To pose a clear To pose a clear distinction distinction between between

• reactionary reactionary antimodern notions of power that seek to antimodern notions of power that seek to break the relationship by freeing the sovereign and break the relationship by freeing the sovereign and

• liberatory liberatory antimodernities that challenge and subvert antimodernities that challenge and subvert hierarchies by affirming the resistance and hierarchies by affirming the resistance and expanding the freedom of the subordinated. expanding the freedom of the subordinated.

2.2.To recognize how this resistance and freedom To recognize how this resistance and freedom always always exceed exceed the relationship of domination and the relationship of domination and thus cannot be recuperated in any dialectic with thus cannot be recuperated in any dialectic with modern power. modern power.

2.3 2.3 ALTERMODERNITYALTERMODERNITY

Three senses to see antimodernity as a form of resistanceThree senses to see antimodernity as a form of resistance1.1.As a struggle for freedom As a struggle for freedom within within the power relation of the power relation of modernitymodernity2.2.As not As not geographically external geographically external to but rather coextensive to but rather coextensive with modernitywith modernity3.3.As not As not temporally external temporally external to modernity in the sense that to modernity in the sense that it does not simply come after the exertion of modern it does not simply come after the exertion of modern power, as a reaction. In fact antimodernity is power, as a reaction. In fact antimodernity is priorprior in the in the sense that the power relation of modernity can be sense that the power relation of modernity can be exercised only over free subjects who express that exercised only over free subjects who express that freedom through resistance to hierarchy and domination.freedom through resistance to hierarchy and domination.

2.3 2.3 ALTERMODERNITYALTERMODERNITYTo construct a definition of altermodernity we propose three general To construct a definition of altermodernity we propose three general lines of investigationlines of investigation1.1.An alternative line within European An alternative line within European EnlightenmentEnlightenment: :

Machiavelli, Spinoza, and Marx.Machiavelli, Spinoza, and Marx. Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche, occupy ambiguous positions Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche, occupy ambiguous positions

with respect to this line. with respect to this line. search for absolute democracy against sovereign absolutism.search for absolute democracy against sovereign absolutism.

2.2.Workers' movements Workers' movements throughout the worldthroughout the world3.3.the forces of antimodernity that the forces of antimodernity that resistresist coloniality, imperialism, and coloniality, imperialism, and the innumerable permutations of racialized rule.the innumerable permutations of racialized rule.Our hypothesis is that the forces of antimodernity in each of these Our hypothesis is that the forces of antimodernity in each of these three domains, continually defeated and contained i n the past, can three domains, continually defeated and contained i n the past, can be reproposed today as altermodernity when they link with the lines of be reproposed today as altermodernity when they link with the lines of resistance in the other domains.resistance in the other domains.

DE HOMINE 1: DE HOMINE 1: BIOPOLITICAL REASONBIOPOLITICAL REASON

Three characteristics that a biopolitical reason Three characteristics that a biopolitical reason would have to fulfill: it would have to would have to fulfill: it would have to 1.1.put put rationality rationality at the service of at the service of lifelife; ; 2.2.technique technique at the service of at the service of ecological ecological needs, needs, where by ecological we mean not simply the where by ecological we mean not simply the preservation of nature but the development and preservation of nature but the development and reproduction of "social" relations, as Viveiros de reproduction of "social" relations, as Viveiros de Castro says, between humans and nonhumans; Castro says, between humans and nonhumans; 3.3.and the accumulation of and the accumulation of wealth wealth at the service at the service of the of the commoncommon..

DE HOMINE 1: DE HOMINE 1: BIOPOLITICAL REASONBIOPOLITICAL REASON

The collective practice of biopolitical reason has to take The collective practice of biopolitical reason has to take the form of the form of strategic investigationstrategic investigation. . The truth is produced The truth is produced in action made in common, without intermediaries.in action made in common, without intermediaries.Practical cases:Practical cases:1.1.industrial industrial workers‘ movementsworkers‘ movements and their scientific knowledges in and their scientific knowledges in the 1960sthe 1960s2.2.professors and students who take their work professors and students who take their work outside the outside the universitiesuniversities3.3."coresearch“ developed experimentally "coresearch“ developed experimentally in social centers and in social centers and nomad universitiesnomad universities, on Web sites and in movement journals…, on Web sites and in movement journals…

Biopolitical reason is thus defined by a kind of ontological Biopolitical reason is thus defined by a kind of ontological resonance between the resonance between the dispositifs dispositifs and the common.and the common.

PART 3PART 3CAPITALCAPITAL((AND THE STRUGGLESAND THE STRUGGLES

OVER COMMON WEALTHOVER COMMON WEALTH))

3.1 METAMORPHOSES OF 3.1 METAMORPHOSES OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMPOSITION OF CAPITALCAPITAL

The rupture of the The rupture of the organic relationship organic relationship and the growing autonomy of and the growing autonomy of labor are at the heart of the new forms of crisis of capitalist production labor are at the heart of the new forms of crisis of capitalist production and control.and control.

AuthorAuthor ConceptConcept Capital subsumes…Capital subsumes…

MarxMarx Formal Formal SubsumptionSubsumption

Preexisting labor activitiesPreexisting labor activities

MarxMarx Real Real SubsumptionSubsumption

Ad-hoc labor activitiesAd-hoc labor activities

Negri&HardtNegri&Hardt Society as a wholeSociety as a whole

Negri&HardtNegri&Hardt No more: labor power is No more: labor power is becoming more and more becoming more and more autonomousautonomous

3.1 METAMORPHOSES OF 3.1 METAMORPHOSES OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMPOSITION OF CAPITALCAPITALTrends in actual biopolitical Trends in actual biopolitical

productionproductionContradictions in the productivity of Contradictions in the productivity of biopolitical labor due to mechanisms biopolitical labor due to mechanisms of control imposed by the capitalistof control imposed by the capitalist

11 The inmaterial dimension of the The inmaterial dimension of the productproduct

strategies of control destroy the common strategies of control destroy the common and the productivity of biopolitical labor is and the productivity of biopolitical labor is reduced every time the common is reduced every time the common is destroyeddestroyed

22 The feminization of work in the The feminization of work in the terms of:terms of:

2.1- The proportion of woman in the labor 2.1- The proportion of woman in the labor marketmarket

2.2- Temporal flexibility2.2- Temporal flexibility 2.3- Increasing importance in production 2.3- Increasing importance in production

of qualities traditionally associated wtih of qualities traditionally associated wtih "woman´s work" affective, emotional, "woman´s work" affective, emotional,

relationshiprelationship

the creativity involved in biopolitical the creativity involved in biopolitical production, requires the freedom of the production, requires the freedom of the producers to organize their own timeproducers to organize their own time

33 New patterns of migrationNew patterns of migration the creativity of biopolitical labor requires the creativity of biopolitical labor requires an open and dynamic egalitarian culture an open and dynamic egalitarian culture with constant cultural flows and mixtures.with constant cultural flows and mixtures.

3.2 3.2 CLASS STRUGGLE CLASS STRUGGLE FROM CRISIS TO EXODUSFROM CRISIS TO EXODUSClass struggle does still, of course, involve resisting Class struggle does still, of course, involve resisting and attacking the bases of capitalist power,but it also and attacking the bases of capitalist power,but it also requires an requires an exodus exodus from the relationship with capital.from the relationship with capital.a process of a process of subtraction subtraction from capital and the from capital and the construction of autonomy o f the multitude; and that construction of autonomy o f the multitude; and that this project of exodus is the primary form class this project of exodus is the primary form class struggle takes today.struggle takes today.Exodus is possible only on the basis of the Exodus is possible only on the basis of the commoncommon—both access to the common and the ability to make —both access to the common and the ability to make use of it.use of it.

3.2 3.2 CLASS STRUGGLE CLASS STRUGGLE FROM CRISIS TO EXODUSFROM CRISIS TO EXODUSRevealing some of these really existing forms of Revealing some of these really existing forms of the common is a first step toward establishing the the common is a first step toward establishing the bases for an exodus of the multitude from its bases for an exodus of the multitude from its relation with capital. relation with capital.

1.1.In its In its beneficialbeneficial form as motor of generation. form as motor of generation.MetropolisMetropolis. Real estate agents, do not need any . Real estate agents, do not need any complicated theories to understand the dominant role of complicated theories to understand the dominant role of the common.the common.Finance Finance capital is in essence an elaborate machine for capital is in essence an elaborate machine for representing representing the common.the common.

3.2 3.2 CLASS STRUGGLE CLASS STRUGGLE FROM CRISIS TO EXODUSFROM CRISIS TO EXODUS2.In its 2.In its corrupt corrupt form, that decrease our powers..form, that decrease our powers..FamilyFamily

Imposing Imposing gender gender hierarchies and enforcing gender hierarchies and enforcing gender norms,norms,

as the sole as the sole paradigm paradigm for relationships of intimacy for relationships of intimacy and solidarity,and solidarity,

extreme forms of extreme forms of narcissism narcissism and individualismand individualism institution for the accumulation and transfer of institution for the accumulation and transfer of

private private propertypropertyCorporationCorporationNationNation

3.3 3.3 KAIROS KAIROS OF THE OF THE MULTITUDEMULTITUDE

We propose the multitude as an adequate concept for We propose the multitude as an adequate concept for organizing politically the project of exodus and liberation, organizing politically the project of exodus and liberation, but it have but it have criticscritics::

1.1.The question is whether and The question is whether and how these singularities can how these singularities can act act together together politically: Machery, politically: Machery, Laclau, Laclau,

2.2.see no reason to assume that see no reason to assume that the political decisions and action the political decisions and action of the multitude will be oriented of the multitude will be oriented toward toward liberationliberation: Paolo Virno, : Paolo Virno, Balibar, Zizek, BadiouBalibar, Zizek, Badiou

3.3 3.3 KAIROS KAIROS OF THE OF THE MULTITUDEMULTITUDEWe have to shift our perspective from We have to shift our perspective from being being the the multitude to multitude to making making the multitude, and to recognize the the multitude, and to recognize the multitude as a constant process of metamorphosis multitude as a constant process of metamorphosis grounded in the common:grounded in the common:

1.1.just as a wide social multiplicity produces immaterial just as a wide social multiplicity produces immaterial products and economic value, so too is such a multitude products and economic value, so too is such a multitude able to produce political able to produce political decisionsdecisions..

2.2.There is indeed something There is indeed something mysterious mysterious about the act of about the act of creationcreation, but it is a miracle that wells up from within the , but it is a miracle that wells up from within the multitude every day. The multitude must select the multitude every day. The multitude must select the beneficial and flee the detrimental forms of the common.beneficial and flee the detrimental forms of the common.

DE SINGULARITATE 1: DE SINGULARITATE 1: OF OF LOVE POSSESSEDLOVE POSSESSEDLove Love is a process of the production of the is a process of the production of the common and the production of subjectivity.common and the production of subjectivity.BeingBeing, is not some immutable background , is not some immutable background against which life takes place but is rather a living against which life takes place but is rather a living relation relation in which we constantly have the power to in which we constantly have the power to intervene. Love is an ontological intervene. Love is an ontological event event in that it in that it marks a rupture with what exists and the marks a rupture with what exists and the creation creation of the new.of the new.

DE SINGULARITATE 1: DE SINGULARITATE 1: OF OF LOVE POSSESSEDLOVE POSSESSEDMandeville's Mandeville's beesbees

free agents free agents trading labortrading labor

and goodsand goods

capitalist capitalist dreamdream

Dutiful worker Dutiful worker beesbees

joined with their joined with their flowers in flowers in mutual aidmutual aid

socialist socialist UtopiaUtopia

Guattari´s waspGuattari´s wasp That has sex That has sex with orchidswith orchids

biopoliticalbiopolitical

economyeconomy

INTERMEZZO:INTERMEZZO: A FORCE TO A FORCE TO COMBAT EVILCOMBAT EVILOur proposition for political anthropology is to Our proposition for political anthropology is to conceive of conceive of evil evil as a derivative and distortion of as a derivative and distortion of love and the common. Evil is the love and the common. Evil is the corruption corruption of of love that creates an love that creates an obstacle obstacle to love, or to say theto love, or to say the

same thing with a different focus, evil is the same thing with a different focus, evil is the corruption of the common that corruption of the common that blocks blocks its its production and productivity.production and productivity.

INTERMEZZO:INTERMEZZO: A FORCE TO A FORCE TO COMBAT EVILCOMBAT EVIL

Desire Desire sets in motion sets in motion the construction of the the construction of the common; and finally common; and finally love love consolidates the consolidates the common institutions common institutions that form society. that form society. Human nature is not Human nature is not negated but negated but transformed in this transformed in this sequence.sequence.

INTERMEZZO:INTERMEZZO: A FORCE TO A FORCE TO COMBAT EVILCOMBAT EVILCriteria for distinguishing love's force. Criteria for distinguishing love's force.

1.1.Interaction of Interaction of singularities singularities in processes of in processes of social solidarity and political equality.social solidarity and political equality.

2.2.Oriented toward the Oriented toward the freedom freedom of those of those singularities.singularities.

3.3.Organizational forms: always Organizational forms: always openopen, constitutive, , constitutive, and horizontal,and horizontal,

4.4.Fourth, the relation between love and force is Fourth, the relation between love and force is legitimated in the legitimated in the consensusconsensus

PART 4PART 4EMPIRE RETURNSEMPIRE RETURNS

4.1 4.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF A FAILED COUP D'ETATFAILED COUP D'ETAT

Every Every coupcoup needs needs a trigger, a a trigger, a catastrophic catastrophic event event that legitimates that legitimates taking the reins of taking the reins of power. September power. September 11, 2001, the 11, 2001, the rhetoric of a "war on rhetoric of a "war on terror" justified a terror" justified a state of emergency.state of emergency.

4.1 4.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF A FAILED COUP D'ETATFAILED COUP D'ETATA primary element of the unilateral project in Iraq A primary element of the unilateral project in Iraq was the military strategy often referred to as the was the military strategy often referred to as the ""revolutionary in military affairsrevolutionary in military affairs" ( RMA ) or " ( RMA ) or "defense transformation.“based on two primary "defense transformation.“based on two primary strategic innovations: strategic innovations: 1.1.reducing troop levels through the coordinated use of reducing troop levels through the coordinated use of information and weapons technologies in combat; information and weapons technologies in combat;

2.2.and reorganizing military formations to make them and reorganizing military formations to make them lighter, more mobile, and more flexible.lighter, more mobile, and more flexible.

4.2 4.2 AFTER U.S. AFTER U.S. HEGEMONYHEGEMONYthe Vietnam War, marked the signal crisis of the the Vietnam War, marked the signal crisis of the imperialistimperialist era; while War of Iraq marked its terminal era; while War of Iraq marked its terminal crisis and the passage to crisis and the passage to EmpireEmpireA wide variety of authors employ "A wide variety of authors employ "governancegovernance," in ," in contrast to "contrast to "governmentgovernment," to explore the novelty of the ," to explore the novelty of the new authorities and assemblages forming within and new authorities and assemblages forming within and outside the nation-state.outside the nation-state.A new imperial formation is emerging that can function A new imperial formation is emerging that can function only through the collaboration of a variety of national, only through the collaboration of a variety of national, supranational, and non national powers. Our future supranational, and non national powers. Our future politics will have to be cast in relation to this politics will have to be cast in relation to this EmpireEmpire..

4.3 4.3 GENEALOGY OF GENEALOGY OF REBELLIONREBELLIONThe axiom of freedom: Power can be exercised The axiom of freedom: Power can be exercised only over free subjects, and thus the only over free subjects, and thus the resistance resistance of of those subjects is not really posterior to power but those subjects is not really posterior to power but an expression of their freedom, which is an expression of their freedom, which is priorprior. . Revolt as an exercise of freedom not only Revolt as an exercise of freedom not only precedes but also prefigures the forms that precedes but also prefigures the forms that power power will take in reaction.will take in reaction.

4.3 4.3 GENEALOGY OF GENEALOGY OF REBELLIONREBELLIONToday, in the context of biopolitical production, Today, in the context of biopolitical production, when the factory is no longer the primary site of when the factory is no longer the primary site of the production of capital, this imaginary the production of capital, this imaginary continues, but transformed: the proletariat is continues, but transformed: the proletariat is within within society as a whole and produces there; society as a whole and produces there; and it is and it is against against this same social totality. this same social totality. So So exodus exodus means means a kind of anthropological (and a kind of anthropological (and ontological) separation from the domination of ontological) separation from the domination of capital.capital.

4.3 4.3 GENEALOGY OF GENEALOGY OF REBELLIONREBELLIONAlso is no longer posible the Also is no longer posible the division between division between work work time time and life and life timetime. . So revolution is no longer imaginable as an So revolution is no longer imaginable as an event separated from us in the future but has to event separated from us in the future but has to live in the present.live in the present.Temporality of “Temporality of “exceptionexception” should become an ” should become an ""exceedingexceeding" present that in some sense already " present that in some sense already contains the future within it through a movement contains the future within it through a movement of exodus.of exodus.

4.3 4.3 GENEALOGY OF GENEALOGY OF REBELLIONREBELLIONProduction of capital is no longer limited to the Production of capital is no longer limited to the factory or any other separated site but rather factory or any other separated site but rather spreads throughout the entire social territory. spreads throughout the entire social territory. The The task facing capital is thus constantly to task facing capital is thus constantly to rebuild rebuild bordersborders, reterritorialize the laboring populations, , reterritorialize the laboring populations, and reconstruct the fixed dimensions of social and reconstruct the fixed dimensions of social space. Capital must pursue, in other words, ever space. Capital must pursue, in other words, ever new definitions of localized social new definitions of localized social hierarchies hierarchies to to rebuild the borders necessary for its order and rebuild the borders necessary for its order and command.command.

4.3 4.3 GENEALOGY OF GENEALOGY OF REBELLIONREBELLION

Constructing global Constructing global public space requires public space requires that the multitude, in its that the multitude, in its exodus, create the exodus, create the institutions that can institutions that can consolidate and fortify consolidate and fortify the anthropological the anthropological conditions of the conditions of the resistance of the poor.resistance of the poor.

DE CORPORE 2: DE CORPORE 2: METROPOLISMETROPOLISthe the metropolismetropolis is to the is to the multitudemultitude whatwhat

the the factoryfactory was to the industrial was to the industrial working classworking class

1.1.There is no longer a factory wall that divides living from There is no longer a factory wall that divides living from working places, and "working places, and "externalitiesexternalities" are no longer external." are no longer external.

2.2.The organization of the The organization of the joyfuljoyful encounters of the encounters of the multitude corresponds to the productive deployment of multitude corresponds to the productive deployment of workers on the factory floor, in cooperative teams,workers on the factory floor, in cooperative teams,

3.3.the metropolis, like the factory, is the site of hierarchy the metropolis, like the factory, is the site of hierarchy and exploitation, violence and and exploitation, violence and sufferingsuffering, fear and pain. , fear and pain.

DE CORPORE 2: DE CORPORE 2: METROPOLISMETROPOLISThe The metropolitanization metropolitanization of the world does not of the world does not necessarily just mean a generalization of necessarily just mean a generalization of structures of hierarchy and exploitation. It can structures of hierarchy and exploitation. It can also mean a also mean a generalization of rebellion generalization of rebellion and then, and then, possibly, the growth of networks of cooperation possibly, the growth of networks of cooperation and communication, the and communication, the increasedincreased intensity of the intensity of the common and encounters among singularities.This common and encounters among singularities.This is where the multitude is finding its home.is where the multitude is finding its home.

PART 5PART 5BEYOND CAPITAL?BEYOND CAPITAL?

5.1 5.1 TERMS OF THE TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC TRANSITIONECONOMIC TRANSITION

The crisis is caused,by the The crisis is caused,by the new new ontology ontology of biopolitical labor. The forms of biopolitical labor. The forms of intellectual, affective, and of intellectual, affective, and cognitivecognitive labor labor that are emerging in the central role in the that are emerging in the central role in the contemporary economy cannot be contemporary economy cannot be controlled by the forms of discipline and controlled by the forms of discipline and command developed in the era of the command developed in the era of the factoryfactory society. society.

5.1 5.1 TERMS OF THE TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC TRANSITIONECONOMIC TRANSITIONCapitalCapital is confronted with a paradoxical is confronted with a paradoxical situation: the more it is forced to pursue situation: the more it is forced to pursue valorization through knowledge production, the valorization through knowledge production, the more that knowledge escapes its control.more that knowledge escapes its control.Also there is a incompatibility of biopolitical Also there is a incompatibility of biopolitical production and production and socialismsocialism in all its forms: in all its forms: bureaucratic planning, state regulation, and so bureaucratic planning, state regulation, and so forth… as autonomy is equally required from forth… as autonomy is equally required from state control and government forms of discipline. state control and government forms of discipline. Also in Also in social democracysocial democracy as it is seen solely as as it is seen solely as a mechanism for the distribution of wealth, not its a mechanism for the distribution of wealth, not its generation.generation.

5.1 5.1 TERMS OF THE TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC TRANSITIONECONOMIC TRANSITION

what the what the privateprivate is to capitalism and is to capitalism and

what the what the publicpublic is to socialism, is to socialism,

the the commoncommon is to communism. is to communism.

5.1 5.1 TERMS OF THE TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC TRANSITIONECONOMIC TRANSITION

Negri & Hardt idea of Imperial Governance is based on Negri & Hardt idea of Imperial Governance is based on PolybiusPolybius' ' eulogy to ancient Rome, as having a mixed constitution defined by a eulogy to ancient Rome, as having a mixed constitution defined by a pyramidal structure, combining:pyramidal structure, combining:1. A single 1. A single monarchmonarch::a central military power in Washington (or Beijing); a central cultural power in a central military power in Washington (or Beijing); a central cultural power in Los Angeles (or Mumbai); a central financial power in New York (or Los Angeles (or Mumbai); a central financial power in New York (or Frankfurt); and so forth.Frankfurt); and so forth.

2. A limited 2. A limited aristocracyaristocracy: : In Russia industrial and financial oligarchs together with mafia thugs and an In Russia industrial and financial oligarchs together with mafia thugs and an array of government officials. In China instead anchored more closely to the array of government officials. In China instead anchored more closely to the state and party with tightly controlled participation of entrepreneurs and state and party with tightly controlled participation of entrepreneurs and business elites…business elites…

3. A broader (pseudo-)democratic 3. A broader (pseudo-)democratic basebase..various humanitarian NGOs and aid organizations are cast as representing various humanitarian NGOs and aid organizations are cast as representing the people (or at least their interests); and the dominant media.the people (or at least their interests); and the dominant media.

An adequate economic science of biopolitical An adequate economic science of biopolitical production has yet to be invented. Following production has yet to be invented. Following physocratic Quesnay´s physocratic Quesnay´s Tableau Economique Tableau Economique (1758), Negri & Hardt propose to draw an (1758), Negri & Hardt propose to draw an analogous table for biopolitical production with analogous table for biopolitical production with at least three columns of struggles of the at least three columns of struggles of the common common ::

againstagainst workwork in defence of in defence of freedomfreedom

againstagainst wagewage in defence of in defence of social lifesocial life

againstagainst capitalcapital in defence of in defence of democracydemocracy

5.2 5.2 WHAT REMAINS OF WHAT REMAINS OF CAPITALISMCAPITALISM

5.2 5.2 WHAT REMAINS OF WHAT REMAINS OF CAPITALISMCAPITALISMIs it possible at this point to reintegrate the working class Is it possible at this point to reintegrate the working class within capital? This is the illusion promoted by social within capital? This is the illusion promoted by social democracy,democracy,The primary capitalist strategy for The primary capitalist strategy for maintaining power maintaining power in in this divided situation,is financial control. Using the dual this divided situation,is financial control. Using the dual nature of money. nature of money.

On its politically neutral face as On its politically neutral face as abstraction of the value abstraction of the value of of commodities based on the quantity of labor.commodities based on the quantity of labor.

As a As a representation of the wealth representation of the wealth of social production.of social production.Is possible a strategy that would conserve both Is possible a strategy that would conserve both representational functions of money but wrest control of representational functions of money but wrest control of them away from capital?them away from capital?

5.3 5.3 PRE-SHOCKS ALONG PRE-SHOCKS ALONG THE FAULT LINESTHE FAULT LINESSymptoms of capital's illness:Symptoms of capital's illness:

1.1.the the decline decline of capital's entrepreneurial of capital's entrepreneurial capacitiescapacities. .

2.2.its its failure failure to engage and develop productive to engage and develop productive forces, in forces, in subjectivesubjective terms. Biopolitical goods— terms. Biopolitical goods—such as ideas, affects, codes, knowledges, such as ideas, affects, codes, knowledges, information, and images—still have to circulate to information, and images—still have to circulate to realize their value, but that circulation is now realize their value, but that circulation is now internal to the production process. internal to the production process.

5.3 5.3 PRE-SHOCKS ALONG PRE-SHOCKS ALONG THE FAULT LINESTHE FAULT LINESPossible reforms that could constitute a program Possible reforms that could constitute a program for capital.for capital.1.1.providing the providing the infrastructureinfrastructure necessary for biopolitical necessary for biopolitical productionproduction

Basic: clean drinking water, sanitary conditions, electricity, access to Basic: clean drinking water, sanitary conditions, electricity, access to affordable foodaffordable food

social and intellectual infrastructure, linguistic tools, affective tools; open social and intellectual infrastructure, linguistic tools, affective tools; open infrastructure of information and culture (physical, logical & content layer)infrastructure of information and culture (physical, logical & content layer)

2.2.freedom of movementfreedom of movement, establishing some form of open , establishing some form of open citizenship.citizenship.3.3.freedom of timefreedom of time, establishing a minimum guaranteed income, establishing a minimum guaranteed income4.4.The The freedom to construct social freedom to construct social relationships and create relationships and create autonomous social institutions. This means participatory autonomous social institutions. This means participatory democracy.democracy.

DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE THRESHOLD!THRESHOLD!

In the sequence of discussions at the end of In the sequence of discussions at the end of each part of this book, we have tracked figures each part of this book, we have tracked figures in which labour value exceeds the flows of the in which labour value exceeds the flows of the economy and power. economy and power.

the biopolitical the biopolitical event event (part 1) (part 1)

biopolitical biopolitical reason reason (part 2) (part 2)

lovelove as a constituent social drive as a constituent social drive exceeds all constituted powers exceeds all constituted powers (part 3) (part 3)

the the metropolis metropolis (part 4) (part 4)

DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE THRESHOLD!THRESHOLD!what it means for biopolitics to what it means for biopolitics to exceedexceed??

In epistemological terms, exceeding is a In epistemological terms, exceeding is a linguistic act linguistic act of rupture and innovationof rupture and innovationIn physical terms, accelerated In physical terms, accelerated inventioninvention of new of new forms of social life in common.forms of social life in common.

In ethics, an experience of In ethics, an experience of training in training in lovelove

DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE THRESHOLD!THRESHOLD!The principle of an exceeding of will over The principle of an exceeding of will over instrumental knowledge instrumental knowledge through historythrough history::ancient Greeceancient GreeceAugustine's affirmation of a free willAugustine's affirmation of a free willWhat Ernst Bloch call the "Aristotelian Left“: What Ernst Bloch call the "Aristotelian Left“: Avicenna, Averroes…Avicenna, Averroes…Duns Scotus, Nicholas of Cusa, Spinoza, Duns Scotus, Nicholas of Cusa, Spinoza, Nietzsche and DeleuzeNietzsche and Deleuze

DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE DE HOMINE 2: CROSS THE THRESHOLD!THRESHOLD!To To exceedexceed is a creative activity. A new theory of is a creative activity. A new theory of value has to be based on the powers of value has to be based on the powers of economic, political, and social innovation that economic, political, and social innovation that today are expressions of the today are expressions of the multitude's desiremultitude's desire..

This leads to a series of political positions:This leads to a series of political positions:labor-powerlabor-power against exploitation against exploitationsingularitysingularity against identity against identitythe the commoncommon against the republic of property against the republic of propertymeasuremeasure of value must be determined through of value must be determined through the democratic exercise of the production of the the democratic exercise of the production of the commoncommon

PART 6PART 6REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION

6.1 REVOLUTIONARY 6.1 REVOLUTIONARY PARALLELISMPARALLELISMRevolutionary politics has to start from identity but Revolutionary politics has to start from identity but cannot end there. cannot end there.

1. Make visible the brutally real but too often hidden mechanisms and regimes of social subordination, segmentation, and exclusion that operate along identity lines.

2. Struggle for freedom, first as emancipation, after as liberation.

emancipation freedom to be who you really are

liberation Freedom to determine what you can become

3. The self-abolition of identity. The project for the abolition o f identity thus fills the traditional role o f the abolition of property and the abolition of the state. Queer, as critique of identity.

6.1 REVOLUTIONARY 6.1 REVOLUTIONARY PARALLELISMPARALLELISM Identity politics, by its very concept, assumes a Identity politics, by its very concept, assumes a

certain certain parallelismparallelism: so structures of : so structures of subordination subordination (gender, racial, class…) (gender, racial, class…) share some share some common elements this makes possible common elements this makes possible processes of processes of translationtranslation among the analytical among the analytical and political traditions. and political traditions.

Only on the field of biopolitical struggles, Only on the field of biopolitical struggles, composed by parallelism and multiplicity, can composed by parallelism and multiplicity, can a revolutionary struggle for the common be a revolutionary struggle for the common be successfullysuccessfully pursued. pursued.

6.1 REVOLUTIONARY 6.1 REVOLUTIONARY PARALLELISMPARALLELISM

Revolution is now, finally, Revolution is now, finally, becoming the order of the becoming the order of the day.day.

modernity identity-property-sovereigntyis been replaced in by

altermodernity singularity-the common-revolution

6.2 INSURRECTIONAL 6.2 INSURRECTIONAL INTERSECTIONSINTERSECTIONS ¿Crisis of representation, "¿Crisis of representation, "democratic deficitdemocratic deficit"—"—

in the global context?in the global context? What is lacking, are the mechanisms of What is lacking, are the mechanisms of measuremeasure

that identity and that identity and representation representation require.require. The process of articulation of insurrectional The process of articulation of insurrectional

intersections is an intersections is an ontologicalontological process. That process. That also drive us to an ontological transformation of also drive us to an ontological transformation of the conditions the conditions of decision making itself.of decision making itself.

6.2 INSURRECTIONAL 6.2 INSURRECTIONAL INTERSECTIONSINTERSECTIONS Revolutionary struggle must be consolitaded

and reinforce in a new form of institution:

1. based on conflict

2. consolidate collective habits, practices, and capacities that designate a form of life

3. are open-ended in that they are continually transformed by the singularities that compose them.

This notion of institution corresponds closely to what we called earlier "training in love" in that it does not reduce the multiplicity of singularities but creates a context for them to manage their encounters promoting de joyful ones

6.3 GOVERNING THE 6.3 GOVERNING THE REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION The process of transition rather than dialectical, is The process of transition rather than dialectical, is

asymptoticasymptotic, and is not spontaneous., and is not spontaneous. How can the transition be governed? What or who How can the transition be governed? What or who

draws the draws the political diagonal political diagonal that guides the transition?that guides the transition? The way out of the impasse is to bring the The way out of the impasse is to bring the political political

diagonal diagonal back to the back to the biopolitical diagrambiopolitical diagram, , that is, to that is, to ground it in an investigation o f the capacities people ground it in an investigation o f the capacities people already exercise in their daily lives and, specifically, already exercise in their daily lives and, specifically, in the processes of biopolitical production. in the processes of biopolitical production.

6.3 GOVERNING THE 6.3 GOVERNING THE REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION

Problems to overcome about these Problems to overcome about these capacities capacities that people already exercise in their daily lives:that people already exercise in their daily lives:

1.1. first, the autonomy of biopolitical production is only first, the autonomy of biopolitical production is only

partial, since it is still directed and partial, since it is still directed and constrainedconstrained under under the command of capital; the command of capital;

2.2. and second, these economic capacities are not and second, these economic capacities are not

immediately immediately expressedexpressed as political capacities.as political capacities.

6.3 GOVERNING THE 6.3 GOVERNING THE REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION Gramsci, with his notion of “Gramsci, with his notion of “pasive revolutionpasive revolution”, is in ”, is in

many ways a prophet of the biopolitical diagram. many ways a prophet of the biopolitical diagram. He seems to intuit that the transformation of the He seems to intuit that the transformation of the

technical composition technical composition of the proletariat, will break of the proletariat, will break down the divisions between structure and down the divisions between structure and superstructuresuperstructure, bringing culture and social relations , bringing culture and social relations directly into the realm of economic value and directly into the realm of economic value and production. He even grasps that the new technical production. He even grasps that the new technical composition implies a new production of composition implies a new production of subjectivitysubjectivity..

6.3 GOVERNING THE 6.3 GOVERNING THE REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION Our inclination is to appropriate this concept of Our inclination is to appropriate this concept of

governancegovernance, subvert its imperial vocation, , subvert its imperial vocation, and reformulate it as a concept of democracy and reformulate it as a concept of democracy and and revolutionrevolution..

We find some potential in the notion of We find some potential in the notion of federalismfederalism by which some theorists understand by which some theorists understand functions of global governance.functions of global governance.

6.3 GOVERNING THE 6.3 GOVERNING THE REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION Connection with a group of German legal Connection with a group of German legal

theorists who build on Niklas Luhmann s theorists who build on Niklas Luhmann s systems theoriessystems theories: : GuntherTeubner and GuntherTeubner and Andreas Fischer-Lescano…Andreas Fischer-Lescano…

This group of German Negri & Hardt

fragmentation multiplicity of singularities

overflowing relation between labor and value

network logic in the governance of exceptional normative situations

cooperation of biopolitical production

social conflict as the basis for contingent legal frameworks

basis for the revolutionarynotion of institution

6.3 GOVERNING THE 6.3 GOVERNING THE REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION

A revolutionary process today A revolutionary process today will have to be governed by a will have to be governed by a RechtswollenRechtswollen, that is, an , that is, an institutional and constitutional institutional and constitutional willwill , which, in a parallel way, , which, in a parallel way, articulates the singularities of articulates the singularities of the multitude, along with its the multitude, along with its diverse instances of revolt diverse instances of revolt and rebellion, in a powerful and rebellion, in a powerful and lasting common process.and lasting common process.

DE SINGULARITATE 2:DE SINGULARITATE 2:INSTITUTING HAPPINESSINSTITUTING HAPPINESS HappinessHappiness should become should become once again today a once again today a

political concept. Happiness as a pleasure that lasts and political concept. Happiness as a pleasure that lasts and repeats, and of repeats, and of collective nature.collective nature.

BeingBeing is not fixed once and for all in some otherworldly is not fixed once and for all in some otherworldly realm but constantly subject to a realm but constantly subject to a process of becomingprocess of becoming. . Human nature similarly is not immutable but rather open Human nature similarly is not immutable but rather open to a process of training and education.to a process of training and education.

ChangeChange is possible at the most basic level of our world is possible at the most basic level of our world and our selves and that we can intervene in this process and our selves and that we can intervene in this process to orient it along the lines of our desires, toward to orient it along the lines of our desires, toward happiness.happiness.

DE SINGULARITATE 2:DE SINGULARITATE 2:INSTITUTING HAPPINESSINSTITUTING HAPPINESSHow can we restore or reinvent such political conceptions of happiness, joy, How can we restore or reinvent such political conceptions of happiness, joy, and love for our world?and love for our world?

1.1.Provide Provide basic means basic means of life for all, throughout the world, a of life for all, throughout the world, a global guaranteed income and truly universal global guaranteed income and truly universal health care,health care,

2.2.demand demand equality equality against hierarchy, against hierarchy, allowing everyone to allowing everyone to become capable of participating in the constitution of become capable of participating in the constitution of society, collective self-rule, and constructive interaction society, collective self-rule, and constructive interaction with others. This means: basic education, with others. This means: basic education, a global a global citizenship.citizenship.

3.3.open access open access to the common against the barriers of to the common against the barriers of private propertyprivate property

DE SINGULARITATE 2:DE SINGULARITATE 2:INSTITUTING HAPPINESSINSTITUTING HAPPINESS The process of instituting happiness will constantly The process of instituting happiness will constantly be be

accompanied by accompanied by laughterlaughter.. Ours is also a laugh of creation and Ours is also a laugh of creation and joyjoy, anchored solidly , anchored solidly

in in the present.the present. Ours is finally a laugh of destruction, the laugh of Ours is finally a laugh of destruction, the laugh of

armed angelsarmed angels which accompanies the combat which accompanies the combat against evil, nothing to do with hatred. against evil, nothing to do with hatred.

The extirpation in The extirpation in ourselves of our attachments to ourselves of our attachments to identityidentity and, in general, the conditions of our and, in general, the conditions of our enslavementenslavement will be extraordinarily painful, but still we will be extraordinarily painful, but still we laugh.laugh.

ContactContact Alberto.revolware@gmail.comAlberto.revolware@gmail.com http://www.gredos.org/common

wealth/

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