The 2019 Holberg Debate: Slavoj Žižek: «Why I Am Still A Communist»
Slavoj Žižek has been called the «the most dangerous philosopher in the West» and a cultural theorist superstar, as he mixes Marxism with pop culture and psychoanalysis. Three decades after the fall of «Communism» in Eastern Europe, why does Žižek still call himself a communist?
Even though Europe’s authoritarian Socialist states have been gone for about 30 years, socialism and communism have not disappeared from the lexicon of political ideas in the West.
Here, the last decade has seen both a crisis of capitalism, high levels of polarisation and turmoil, a rediscovering of Marxism in certain circles, and a mainstream American Left that advocates «democratic socialism».
What exactly such terms mean to their advocates and critics, however, remains unclear, as the US enters one of the most contentious election years ever. And while the Nordic “social democracies” may be known for their expansive welfare states, arguing that they still represent “socialism” would likely require a stretch of both concepts and imagination.
In an age where the principles of the free marked have become the driving force of both the economy, public services, foreign policy, and education, “communism” remains a dirty word among the political establishment.
So why is Žižek still a communist?
About the event
At the 2019 Holberg Debate, we are honoured to be joined by two big thinkers: Slavoj Žižek and Tyler Cowen. Prof. Žižek will deliver his keynote address, “Why I Am Still A Communist”, before being interviewed by Prof. Cowen. In the subsequent Q & A session, we encourage everyone to contribute with questions and comments, either from the floor, or via Twitter. Twitter users may use hashtag #qholberg for questions and submit their comments either in writing or as video snippets. Questions may be submitted at any time, before or during the event. In other words: You are welcome to submit your questions today.
As a warm-up to the Holberg Debate, the Bergen Students' Society and the Holberg Prize will screen the documentary film "The Pervert's Guide to Ideology" at The Academic Quarter on 5 December. There will be an introduction by Gisle Selnes, Professor at the Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies, University of Bergen. More information to follow.
Participants
Photo:
Photo credits: Amrei-Marie (CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Slavoj Žižek
Slavoj Žižek is a Slovenian philosopher and cultural critic. He is Senior Researcher at the Department of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana, and International Director of the Birckbeck Institute for the Humanities, University of London. Žižek has published more than 50 books on topics ranging from political theory, cultural studies, Lacanian psychoanalysis, film criticism, Marxism, Hegelianism and theology. He has also participated in various film projects, including two documentary collaborations with director Sophie Fiennes: The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (2006) and The Pervert's Guide to Ideology (2012). Believing that "Political issues are too serious to be left only to politicians", Žižek aims to promote the role of the public intellectual, and share his critical gaze with the larger public.
Photo:
Tyler Cowen. Photo credits: Stephen Gosling
Tyler Cowen
Tyler Cowen is Holbert L. Harris Professor of Economics at George Mason University and Director of the Mercatus Center. In 2011, he was named in an Economist poll of experts as one of the most influential economists of the last decade, and Bloomberg Business Week has dubbed him "America's Hottest Economist." He is co-author of the blog marginalrevolution.com and host of the podcast series Conversations with Tyler.
Practical information
Doors open at 14:30. The venue holds 350 people, at which point doors will close.
Free admittance and free seating.
The event will be livestreamed.
We encourage the audience ask questions during the Q&A session. You are also welcome to tweet questions and comments, either as text or as video, before or during the event. Please use the hashtag #qholberg for questions for Žižek, and feel free to use #holbergdebate for other tweets.
The Holberg Debate
The Holberg Debate is an annual event organised by the Holberg Prize. The debate is inspired by Ludvig Holberg's Enlightenment ideas and aims to explore pressing issues of our time.
The Holberg Debate was organised for the first time in 2016 and has since been held annually, on the first Saturday in December.
The Holberg Debate Advisory Group
The Holberg Board has appointed an advisory group for the Holberg Debate. The group assists the secretariat in suggesting topics and speakers for the events, and presently consists of the following members:
Sirianne Dahlum, Senior Reseracher at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
