<<The>> rise of lifestyle activism from New Left to Occupy

part of the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Th e use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Th e publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. "This book explores changes in the values and ideas of a large part of the political Left in recent decades. The author identifies that a questioning of the merits of economic growth; an ideal of environmental sustainability overriding the old radical visions of material abundance; a critique of instrumental reason; a suspiciousness towards universalist claims; and an attachment to subjective and pluralistic identities, have been dominant in the narratives of the Leftist milieu and of social movements. Yet the author suggests that such changes, known as 'lifestyle activism', could be understood in a different way, one characterised by suspiciousness towards the belief that human action guided by reason can lead society towards a future that will be better and more affluent. Using a range of case studies from the 1960's to the present day anti-austerity movement, Sotirakopoulos argues that the New Left and its ideological heirs could be understood not so much as a continuation, but as an inversion from the Old Left and, most importantly, from humanistic visions of modernity. The book will therefore be ideal reading for students and researchers of political sociology, radical politics, modern political ideologies, contentious politics and political theory and to scholars of new social movements and the New Left" (ed.) Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-16 From the Dictatorship of the Proletariat to Woodstock....Pages 17-60 The 1970s and Beyond: A Counter-Revolution of Capitalism or the New Left Fears Going Mainstream?....Pages 61-86 De-Universalizing Political Subjects: Neo-Tribes and New Forms of Action....Pages 87-103 Linking Two Eras: The Anti-globalization Movement....Pages 105-126 From Lifestyle Activism to Left-Wing Populism: The New Left in Times of Crisis....Pages 127-163 Conclusion: Conundrums and Opportunities for the Left....Pages 165-180 Back Matter....Pages 181-184 1, Introduction -- 2. From The Dictatorship Of The Proletariat To Woodstock -- 3. The 1970s And Beyond: A Counter-revolution Of Capitalism Or The New Left Fears Going Mainstream? -- 4. De-universalizing Political Subjects: Neo-tribes And New Forms Of Action -- 5. Linking Two Eras: The Anti-globalization Movement -- 6. From Lifestyle Activism To Left-wing Populism: The New Left In Times Of Crisis -- 7. Conclusion: Conundrums And Opportunities For The Left. Nikos Sotirakopoulos. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.