What is the meaning of critique \;today?
\nThe present moment bears witness to a dynamic proliferation of events and \;transformations that are reshaping our socio-political horizon. In recent \;years\, the effects of the financial crisis and neoliberal governance have \;materialised in the form of the radical imposition of austerity measures. In \;response\, waves of revolt and resistance - from student occupations at UK \;Universities to the &lsquo\;Arab Spring&rsquo\;\, from organised strikes and demonstrations \;to the London riots\, from Athens to &lsquo\;Occupy&rsquo\; &ndash\; have spread throughout the \;world. For a brief moment\, these manifestations of political rebellion \;appeared to have created a historical sense of possibility which not only \;furnished emergent forms of activism with confidence but also\, as engaged \;intellectuals have been eager to assert\, seemed to have validated the \;premises of classical critical frameworks.Yet\, despite continuous resistance \;and revolt\, we have seen the installation of unelected technocrats in Greece \;and Italy\; despite a politically active and engaged student community\, we \;have seen the implementation of education cuts and an unprecedented rise in \;University tuition fees in the UK\; despite vocal opposition from across the \;social spectrum\, we have seen the NHS bill being pushed through \;parliament.Whilst the necessity of critical political engagement has by no \;means lost its urgency\, the prevailing sense of opportunity has given way to \;a fundamental scepticism regarding the scope and possibility of radical \;thought and action. When the question &lsquo\;what is to be done?&rsquo\; seems to be ever \;more difficult to answer\, we believe that this is a decisive moment to \;examine the limits and scope of critique and its relationship to practice. \;It is the aim of this conference to render productive this moment of crisis \;and disorientation to pause and reflect on the fundamental logics\, questions \;and commitments that underlie critical political thinking. In short\, the \;challenge of this conference is to rethink the politics of critique.
\nThe event is the culmination of a year long seminar series which featured lectures from \;well known participants and commentators on the role and place of critique in contemporary society. These include \;Benjamin Noys\, Saul Newman\, Mark Devenney\, Nina Power\, Diana Coole\, Alan Finlayson\, Sarah Franklin\, Costas Douzinas\, and Howard Caygill. Alongside keynote addresses\, the conference will include both panel sessions and themed workshops convened by one or a combination of academics.
\nThis event is hosted in collaboration with:
\nCAPPE (Centre for Applied Philosophy\, Politics\, and Ethics) \; \;
\nCRD (Centre for Research &\; Development)
\nPlaces are limited\, so please register as soon as possible. To register and \;find out more visit:
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