The 1970s and Us: Revolution and Liberation, From Past to Present

Co-Sponsored by the Department of English

Abstract: Revolutionary and liberation movements of the 1970s were a first great attempt to confront the structures of power that still rule over us today.  In some respects, we can recognize in those movements the seeds of practices, concepts, and political aspirations that have developed since; but in other respects, the movements of the 1970s were ahead of us and we need to catch up to them.  With examples from a variety of countries, I will argue for the relevance of those movements for political thinking and organizing today.

Bio: Michael Hardt teaches political theory in the Literature Program at Duke University. He is co-author, with Antonio Negri, of the Empire trilogy and, most recently, Assembly. He is co-director with Sandro Mezzadra of The Social Movements Lab.