A view from those happy Blairite running dogs and LEPU in the time
we have between bombing Iraq and largin it at the AAG with dubuya.
There are many, many, many examples of academics working within
radical groups - surely? Just look at the currently vibrant level
of debate and discussion on social movements in the wake of Seattle,
Prague and the rest. Look at the growing interest in Labour and
Community studies. Look at work by Callinicos, Bordieu,
Foucault, George - the list is endless.
The stereotype of the leftie polytechnic lecturer more concerned
with struggle than teaching that so enraged conservatives (see 'The
History Man') has taken a kicking, but there are some of us still
trying to make university research a force for social change, no
matter how limited our efforts can be.
Surely the real debate - for those who do take the dictum that the
point however is to change it - is what SORT of interaction academics
are having with what sort of radical groups, how do they help, how do
they hinder, how can we open up stuffy heirachical institutions to
those who are struggling for change. Perhaps there is a little of a
concern from more 'pure' researchers than I that it can be hard to
see how some of it does contribute to praxis.
For example - I'm never clear just exactly WHAT sorts of struggles
Paul is involved in, and what problems he has had from academe in
failing to support his actions and campaigns.
Pete 'imperialist hyena' North
> I think that if Paul Treanor was to provide examples of academics
> who do influence debates within radical groups and deprived
> communities that this would help us all understand the model of
> critcal interaction that he alludes to.
>
> Without doubt a major problem for critical/radical academics is
> their incapacity to influence the process that create injustice and
> social/political/sexual marginalisation. A well thought out debate on
> how we society could be inluenced more by academics would be
> most helpful.
>
_________________________________________
Peter North
Local Economy Policy Unit
South Bank University, London
Tel: 020 7815-7706
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.sbu.ac.uk/~lepu/
|