Reviews
La Nouvelle lutte des classes: Les vraies causes des réfugiés et du terrorisme by Slavoj Žižek
raoul_g's review against another edition
5.0
"So, what to do with hundreds of thousands of people who, desperate to escape war and hunger, wait in north Africa or on the shores of Syria, trying to cross the Mediterranean to find refuge in Europe? Two main answers present themselves, two versions of ideological blackmail, which make us irreparably guilty. Left liberals, expressing their outrage at how Europe is allowing thousands to drown in the Mediterranean, state that Europe should show solidarity, should open its doors widely. Anti-immigrant populists, on the other hand, claim that we should protect our way of life, pull up the drawbridge and let Africans or Arabs solve their own problems. Both solutions are bad, but which is worse? To paraphrase Stalin, they are both worse."
This book of Žižek is an important contribution to the discussion surrounding tolerance, refugees and terrorism. He dismisses the 'double blackmail', namely the solutions proposed by the political extremes (right and left). His lucid criticism of them takes up the main part of the book and is backed by insights from psychoanalysis and persuasive interpretations of (recent) historical events (Rotherham, Cologne sex attacks, Paris bombings, etc.).
Everyone interested in these topics should be confronted with the insights Žižek offers here.
In the last chapter he proposes some concrete alternative solutions and, because the root cause for the problems discussed in the book is of course global capitalism, some less concrete solutions: new levels of global cooperation, radical economic change that abolishes the conditions that create refugees and global solidarity.
"Maybe such global solidarity is a utopia. But if we don’t engage in it, then we are really lost. And we will deserve to be lost."
This book of Žižek is an important contribution to the discussion surrounding tolerance, refugees and terrorism. He dismisses the 'double blackmail', namely the solutions proposed by the political extremes (right and left). His lucid criticism of them takes up the main part of the book and is backed by insights from psychoanalysis and persuasive interpretations of (recent) historical events (Rotherham, Cologne sex attacks, Paris bombings, etc.).
Everyone interested in these topics should be confronted with the insights Žižek offers here.
In the last chapter he proposes some concrete alternative solutions and, because the root cause for the problems discussed in the book is of course global capitalism, some less concrete solutions: new levels of global cooperation, radical economic change that abolishes the conditions that create refugees and global solidarity.
"Maybe such global solidarity is a utopia. But if we don’t engage in it, then we are really lost. And we will deserve to be lost."
seamus_malek's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
muh91mus's review against another edition
17.06.2023, 07:21, Karlsruhe
Fleuve - Fleuve Saint Louis
Fleuve - Fleuve Saint Louis
maxain's review against another edition
5.0
Primer libro que leo de Zizek, bastante interesante presenta el problema imprincipal de la sobre inmigracion en europa aunque toca muchos temas sobre religiones Islamicas, le daria un 4/5 pero la verdad es que no me esperaba el ultimo capitulo donde presenta lo que es para el la solucion, no solamente de la sobre inmigracion si no de otros detalles tambien ecologicos, pensaba que iba a cerrar el libro hablando solo del problema para presentar un precedente en el lector
poenaestante's review against another edition
5.0
"Maybe such global solidarity is a utopia. But if we don't engage in it, we are really lost. And we will deserve to be lost." God bless this man for keeping me on my toes as a radical Leftist. We went to see him two days after the US election and he was right on time in capturing just the sentiment we needed to hear. It's time to end the culture wars and engage in the struggle for true justice. I'm excited to live in a moment when more are receptive to this message.
"The dream of an alternative is a sign of theoretical cowardice..." What truth, what poetry!! Bravo.
"The dream of an alternative is a sign of theoretical cowardice..." What truth, what poetry!! Bravo.
noodles123's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very readable, short book by Zizek with a really interesting criticism of both left and right wing takes on the issue of refugees, immigration and culture clash. As usual, Zizek hits a number of very controversial points but they are well explored in a way I haven't seen before.
Many of the ideas will be familiar to those who have read his other books, but I found that it all related well to the central point and didn't feel repetitive.
Many of the ideas will be familiar to those who have read his other books, but I found that it all related well to the central point and didn't feel repetitive.