The Platypus Affiliated Society, established in December 2006, organizes reading groups, public fora, research and journalism focused on the problems and tasks inherited from the "Old" (1920s–30s), "New" (1960s–70s) and post-political (1980s–90s) Left for the possibilities of emancipatory politics today.
The Latest from The Platypus Review:
- Go East, young Marxist? A review of Domenico Losurdo’s Western MarxismTHE PUBLICATION OF the late Domenico Losurdo’s last work Western Marxism has aroused a flurry of interest within particular milieus within the online and the offline Left. A reviewer of the book is tasked with examining whether such interest is warranted or not. I want to argue that one’s evaluation of whether this interest is warranted or not will depend upon what one is attempting to glean from the work. The text purports to be both a political and a theoretical engagement with the “Western Marxist” tradition.
- History of the Platypus critiqueOn April 7, 2018, as part of its 10th annual International Convention, the Platypus Affiliated Society hosted the discussion “History of the Platypus critique” at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The panel was made up of Platypus members who addressed different phases of the history of Platypus and its engagement with the Left: Ian Morrison (first phase: anti-war movement / anti-imperialism), Spencer A. Leonard (second phase: the “Marxist turn” / IBT, CPGB engagement), Tom Carey (third phase: #Occupy / Marxism and anarchism), Ed Remus (protracted fourth phase: SYRIZA, Podemos / “What is political party for the Left?”), and Omair Hussain (fourth and 1/2 phase: the “socialist turn” / Millennial Left).
- Comrade West Bank settler? A critique of Benjamin StudebakerI HAD THE PLEASURE of actually seeing Benjamin Studebaker during an online Platypus panel on the Middle East on July 20. Through our comradely deliberations I discovered we had a lot in common; we both see the kernel of truth in Bismarckianism; Marxists should have no empathy nor patience for city-states’ right to self-determination. From that angle, I can understand his opposition to both Israeli and Palestinian nationalisms, and maybe even towards most postcolonial nationalisms in the region.
- The Left in the Philippines: A century of counterrevolutionOn May 4, 2024, the Platypus Affiliated Society chapters at UC Merced and UC Santa Cruz hosted an introductory workshop on the Philippines and the Left, which included this teach-in by member Daniel Rudin. An edited, revised version follows.
Das Neueste aus Die Platypus Review:
- Demokratische Arbeitszeitrechnung im und für das 21. JahrhundertEin Interview mit der Initiative Demokratische Arbeitszeitrechnung (IDA) aus Berlin über die Geschichte der Rätebewegung, basisdemokratisches Wirtschaften und konkrete Utopien
- Die Leistungen der “Antideutschen”Es gibt nicht wenige linke Zeitgenossen, die der ab den 90er Jahren aufkommenden „antideutschen“ Strömung theoretische wie praktische Leistungen attestieren wollen. Demnach sei zwar manches verkehrt gelaufen, aber „Antideutsche“ hätten grundsätzlich zu einer Erneuerung der Linken und zu wesentlichen Korrekturen linker Fehler beigetragen. Der Autor der folgenden Reflexionen sieht dies vollkommen anders.
- Was waren die Antideutschen? (Teil 1)Am 2. August 2024 veranstaltete die Platypus Affiliated Society eine Podiumsdiskussion mit Detlef zum Winkel (Autor), Justus Wertmüller (Redaktion Bahamas), Jan Sander (Platypus Affiliated Society) und Jan Kalk (Gesellschaft für kritische Bildung) an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin zum Thema: Was waren die Antideutschen? Aufgrund der beschränkten Zeichenzahl der deutschsprachigen Platypus Review in Print wird das Transkript dort in zwei Teilen veröffentlicht. Im Folgenden wird der erste Teil mit den Eingangsstatements und der anschließenden Antwortrunde der Diskutanten zu lesen sein. Der zweite Teil des Transkript enthält die Fragerunde und erscheint in der Ausgabe 35 der deutschsprachigen Platypus Review (Januar/Februar 2025).
