In the wake of the ‘Occupy moment’, one of the more interesting criticisms of the activism described by David Graeber as ‘new anarchist’, was that it lacked ‘institutional memory’.
I agree that some kind of "left-wing institution' as a prerequisite to avoid 'memory loss' isn't necessary.
Such 'memory' resides in all forms of collective action and struggle. In my lifetime these have ranged from housing ( rent strikes/ squats); resistance to many forms of discrimination (women's movement/ gay rights/disability); oppression of minority ethnic communities; not to mention struggle around anti-war/CND. Climate Change is currently the most high profile case.
Then there's the myriad of struggles relating to more local issues.
The vast majority of these struggles were born outside of ( or at best within the margins of) the confines of political parties - of whatever variety . So why should we expect any kind of 'institutional memory ' to be lurking there? All the more reason to be prepared to look elsewhere for answers.
I agree that some kind of "left-wing institution' as a prerequisite to avoid 'memory loss' isn't necessary.
Such 'memory' resides in all forms of collective action and struggle. In my lifetime these have ranged from housing ( rent strikes/ squats); resistance to many forms of discrimination (women's movement/ gay rights/disability); oppression of minority ethnic communities; not to mention struggle around anti-war/CND. Climate Change is currently the most high profile case.
Then there's the myriad of struggles relating to more local issues.
The vast majority of these struggles were born outside of ( or at best within the margins of) the confines of political parties - of whatever variety . So why should we expect any kind of 'institutional memory ' to be lurking there? All the more reason to be prepared to look elsewhere for answers.
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