Slavoj Žižek: "Why I Am Still A Communist". The 2019 Holberg Debate with Slavoj Žižek & Tyler Cowen.
Holberg Prize・100 minutes read
The Holberg debate explores pressing global issues through discussions with prominent figures like Slavoj Žižek, who critiques the combination of authoritarian state power and capitalist dynamics while proposing radical social democratic solutions. The debate delves into societal challenges such as global wealth inequality, environmental issues, and digital control, highlighting the need for radical collective decisions against capitalist development and a focus on practical, empirical problems beyond socialism towards a new form of communism.
Insights
- The Holberg debate is an annual event celebrating Ludwig Holberg, focusing on global issues with prominent speakers like Slavoj Žižek discussing communism, social democracy, and global challenges.
- Žižek critiques authoritarian state power and capitalism in China, advocates for radical social democracy, proposes a supranational Parliament to address global issues, and emphasizes the need for societal alienation for functioning.
- The treatment of refugees reflects societal views on humanity, while digital surveillance capitalism exploits individuals, creating new forms of domination through brain-machine interfaces.
- The speaker discusses the limitations of Chinese authoritarian capitalism, reflects on communist ideals, the Frankfurt School's critique, and emphasizes the need for a new form of communism to address societal problems beyond socialism.
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Recent questions
What is the Holberg debate about?
The Holberg debate is an annual event organized by the Holberg Prize, focusing on humanities, social sciences, law, and theology. It commemorates the birthday of Ludwig Holberg, a playwright and philosopher who emphasized democracy, equality, and human rights. Prominent figures are invited to discuss pressing global issues during this event.
Who is the keynote speaker at the Holberg debate?
The keynote speaker at the Holberg debate is Slavoj Žižek, a philosopher and cultural critic. He discusses topics such as communism, contemporary challenges, and the combination of authoritarian state power and capitalist dynamics in China as a model of efficient socialism. Žižek also critiques global civil unrest, populist movements, and proposes radicalized social democracy.
What does Slavoj Žižek propose for societal functioning?
Slavoj Žižek proposes progressive income taxes, basic income, and employee representation on company boards for societal functioning. He also suggests the establishment of a supranational Parliament to address global wealth inequality and environmental issues, advocating for a shift in emancipatory struggles towards enforcing the right kind of alienation.
How does Slavoj Žižek view the treatment of the poor?
Slavoj Žižek criticizes the current system for placing the burden of helping the poor on hard-working individuals rather than the abstract state. He highlights how Margaret Thatcher's ideology led to a false sense of alienation among the poor, emphasizing the need for societal support over individual responsibility.
What are some of the global threats discussed at the Holberg debate?
The Holberg debate addresses threats such as migration, ecological degradation, and digital control, emphasizing their transnational nature and the limitations of nation-states in addressing them. The discussion also touches on the treatment of refugees, the rise of right-wing populism, and the need for radical collective decisions to combat ecological catastrophe.
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