Daniel Tutt

Sylvain Lazarus’s groundbreaking work Anthropology of the Name offers an entirely novel mode of thinking about politics that is distinct from political science, economics, history, or philosophy. The text is forged in the long shadow of May 68 and gathers a generation of insights around political organizing in the Marxist-Leninist tradition. Lazarus upends the entire idea of politics, how ‘the people’ are to be conceived in political organizing and how history and time function in relation to politics. The book is both deeply philosophical, presenting theories of consciousness, time and the subject, and filled with case-studies that apply this thought to actual political interventions with working class groups.

Although the text is seldom discussed in socialist and leftwing circles in the United States, its insights have much to offer political organizers and thinkers interested in formulating new strategies of political organization. The ideas in this text have deeply informed the political thought and practice of Alain Badiou, a longtime comrade of Lazarus.

We will read the text with discussion leaders who will facilitate the material and process questions that come up. We will aim to read the entirety of the text starting on May 9th and ending on May 30th, although we will see how the pace goes and may adjust that goal. We will read the English translation of the text (2015, translated by Gila Walker) PDF available upon signing up. Please note that this reading group does not require prior knowledge of Lazarus or of Badiou, although that is helpful, it is not necessary.

COST:

Due to the Covid-19 crisis we are not requiring a fee to participate but we are asking for a suggested donation of $15 to attend the plenary event on Saturday May 30th (co-hosted by Incite Seminars out of Philadelphia).