The Decline of the Left in the 20th Century

Toward a Theory of Historical Regression

On April 18, 2009, the Platypus Affiliated Society conducted the following panel discussion at the Left Forum Conference at Pace University in New York City. The panel was organized around four significant moments in the progressive diremption of theory and practice over the course of the 20th century: 2001 (Spencer A. Leonard), 1968 (Atiya Khan), 1933 (Richard Rubin), and 1917 (Chris Cutrone). The following is an edited transcript of the introduction to the panel by Benjamin Blumberg, the panelists’ prepared statements, and the Q&A session that followed. The Platypus Review encourages interested readers to view the complete video recording of the event.

Introduction

2001

1968

1933

1917

Questions and Answers

There Are 4 Responses So Far. »

  1. [...] Left in general had undergone an extreme regression in the course of the 20th century (Platypus’ “Decline of the Left” thesis), and that this should be the Left’s foremost concern.  To this, Reid responded: I have [...]

  2. [...] Left in general had undergone an extreme regression in the course of the 20th century (Platypus’ “Decline of the Left” thesis), and that this should be the Left’s foremost concern.  To this, Reid responded: I have [...]

  3. [...] As far as the major moments of regression that have taken place since then, I feel that the Platypus Affiliated Society has done an excellent job in examining the most crucial dates in their retrospective on “The Decline of the Left in the 20th Century.” [...]

  4. [...] death from the yawning maws of moderate success on all levels but the cultural since the 1960s. The Left is dead, long live the left, my PAS comrades say. They have a pretty convincing analysis to back this up, which finally brings [...]

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