14.05.2024

José Maurício Domingues: Oligarchy, Democracy and Plebeianism
3. Mai 2022, 18:00 – 20:00 Uhr (c.t.)
Raum WSP1 – R.505 (Wilhelm-Seelig-Platz 1)

Moderation: Paula Diehl

Vortrag in englischer Sprache

Abstract: Oligarchy was a classical theme in ancient and Renaissance discussions as one of the three forms of ‘rule’ or ‘government’. For a long time, it has been abandoned as a relevant category, but has re-surfaced more recently in a number of approaches. This paper will argue, however, that, despite the prominence of concentrated economic power, we have to see oligarchy in terms of political power as such. Having established this perspective vis-à-vis the current literature, the paper then further elaborates on the differentiation of the political dimension, introduces a typology of forms of rule in modernity (under liberalism) and post-modernity (authoritarian collectivism), with their dynamic elements and, finally, briefly takes up the problem of political plebeianism and the changes we witness in the contemporary world. This also implies that a radically democratic left, which can leave behind the failed attempts of the twentieth century, must re-think the basic elements of its traditional organizational strategy. A conclusion sums up the argument and assess its political importance.

José Maurício Domingues is Professor of Sociology at Rio de Janeiro State University. In 2018, he received the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Anneliese Maier Research Award valued at € 250,000, for his project „Political Modernity,” which provides the framework for his lecture.