On the Abolition of All Political Parties (NYRB Classics)

An NYRB Classics Original Simone Weil—philosopher, activist, mystic—is one of the most uncompromising of modern spiritual masters. In “On the Abolition of All Political Parties” she challenges the foundation of the modern liberal political order, making an argument that has particular resonance today, when the apathy and anger of the people and the self-serving partisanship of the political class present a threat to democracies all over the world. Dissecting the dynamic of power and propaganda caused by party spirit, the increasing disregard for truth in favor of opinion, and the consequent corruption of education, journalism, and art, Weil forcefully makes the case that a true politics can only begin where party spirit ends. This volume also includes an admiring portrait of Weil by the great poet Czeslaw Milosz and an essay about Weil’s friendship with Albert Camus by the translator Simon Leys. Simone Wei--philosopher, Activist, Mysti--is One Of The Most Uncompromising Of Modern Spiritual Masters. In On The Abolition Of All Political Parties She Challenges The Foundation Of The Modern Liberal Political Order, Making An Argument That Has Particular Resonance Today, When The Apathy And Anger Of The People And The Self-serving Partisanship Of The Political Class Present A Threat To Democracies All Over The World. Dissecting The Dynamic Of Power And Propaganda Caused By Party Spirit, The Increasing Disregard For Truth In Favor Of Opinion, And The Consequent Corruption Of Education, Journalism, And Art, Weil Forcefully Makes The Case That A True Politics Can Only Begin Where Party Spirit Ends. --publisher On The Abolition Of All Political Parties -- The Importance Of Simone Weil / Czeslaw Milosz -- In The Light Of Simone Weil : Milosz And The Friendship Of Camus / Simon Leys. Simone Weil ; Translated From The French By Simon Leys ; And With An Essay By Czesław Miłosz. Translation Of: Note Sur La Suppression Générale Des Partis Politiques. Originally Published: Collingwood, Vic. : Black Inc., C2013. Includes Bibliographical References. Translated From French. An NYRB Classics Original A brilliant woman who was a study in fiercely maintained contradictions, a star student who went to work on a factory line, a Jewish convert to Catholicism who insisted on refusing baptism, Simone Weil is one of the most intransigent and taxing of spiritual masters, always willing to push her thinking'and us'one step beyond the apparently reasonable in pursuit of the one truth, the one good. She asks hard questions and avoids easy answers. In this essay'now in English for the first time'she challenges the foundation of the modern liberal political order, making an argument that will have particular resonance in present-day America. Examining the dynamic of power and propaganda caused by party spirit, the increasing disregard for truth in favor of opinion, and the consequent corruption of education, journalism, and art, Weil proposes that politics can only begin where the party spirit comes to an end. This volume also reprints an admiring portrait of Weil by the Nobel laureate Czeslaw Milosz and an essay about Weil's friendship with Albert Camus by the translator Simon Leys "Simone Weil--philosopher, activist, mystic--is one of the most uncompromising of modern spiritual masters. In On the Abolition of All Political Parties she challenges the foundation of the modern liberal political order, making an argument that has particular resonance today, when the apathy and anger of the people and the self-serving partisanship of the political class present a threat to democracies all over the world. Dissecting the dynamic of power and propaganda caused by party spirit, the increasing disregard for truth in favor of opinion, and the consequent corruption of education, journalism, and art, Weil forcefully makes the case that a true politics can only begin where party spirit ends. This volume also includes an admiring portrait of Weil by the great poet Czeslaw Milosz and an essay about Weil's friendship with Albert Camus by the translator Simon Leys."--From publisher Simone Weil--philosopher, activist, mystic--is one of the most uncompromising of modern spiritual masters. In "On the Abolition of All Political Parties" she challenges the foundation of the modern liberal political order, making an argument that has particular resonance today, when the apathy and anger of the people and the self-serving partisanship of the political class present a threat to democracies all over the world. Dissecting the dynamic of power and propaganda caused by party spirit, the increasing disregard for truth in favor of opinion, and the consequent corruption of education, journalism, and art, Weil forcefully makes the case that a true politics can only begin where party spirit ends. This volume also includes an admiring portrait of Weil by the great poet Czeslaw Milosz and an essay about Weil's friendship with Albert Camus by the translator Simon Leys. -- Back cover