The Politics of Subversion: A Manifesto for the Twenty First Century [Hardcover]

Antonio Negri (Author), James Newell (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1990 | ISBN-10: 0745606016 | ISBN-13: 978-0745606019

A major new statement by a notorious political theorist, on the experiences of "postmodern" society. He examines the new forms of exploitation, struggle and social organization which characterize the final years of the 20th century. Negri shows how new technology and the break-up of the factory as the traditional work-place have created new social subjects whose value is no longer tied to their skill. Capitalism has become totalized but, he argues, not monolithic, and the possibilities for subversion have increased. This book draws on the work of Marx, Foucault and Deleuze, and is a rethinking of traditional Marxist theory. It engages with issues such as Green politics and the future of the working class in Britain and Europe.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Italian (translation)

From the Back Cover

In this important book, Antonio Negri develops the key ideas that were to form the basis for the highly influential analyses of new forms of power and social struggle presented in Empire and Multitude. He shows how new technology and the break-up of the traditional factory have created new social subjects whose value is no longer tied to their skill. The spread of communication networks and the globalization of production mean that capitalism has become totalized – but not, Negri stresses, monolithic. On the contrary, the possibilities for subversion have correspondingly increased.

Going beyond classical Marxism, he shows how old solidarities must be reformulated and new alliances created. The struggles which marked the political end of the twentieth century are now being repeated in a new historical conjuncture, giving rise to new forms of transnational solidarity that can challenge dominant global powers.

This new paperback edition, which includes a new Preface by the author, is an excellent introduction to the work of one of the most influential political thinkers writing today and will be essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the new forms of conflict and struggle that will shape the world in the twenty-first century. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Polity Pr (January 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745606016
• ISBN-13: 978-0745606019
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,035,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Political Philosophy for the Subversive in Nature, June 25, 1999

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"artemquetzal" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Politics of Subversion: A Manifesto for the Twenty First Century (Hardcover)

Excellent Book! Negri's voice is soon to be a major one among the likes of Gramsci as an demanding challenge and standard for radical thought in the West for the future--straight from the no doubt optimistic bars of an Italian prison. Any of Negri's work are highly recommended.