Sunday 24 July 2022

I split my book reading into two parts. On the one hand I read a book with a good story to tell, usually a history or, much rarer for me, a novel (Why do I think a novel has less ‘reading value’ than a non fiction book? That is an interesting topic worth discussing at a future time.). On the other I read broadly about theories and concepts, usually dipping into sections of books, essays, articles etc. In my view understanding is not just about ‘knowing’ or ‘accumulating knowledge’, it is also about being able to conceptualise knowledge in order to make sense of what is going on. Reading theory is in my view a continuous, dynamic process. One has ones own preferences, points of view, biases. Nothing wrong with that, but I think that anyone who wants to think more deeply about politics needs to develop a theoretical/ conceptual understanding of some sort and continuously reflect on the validity or lack of validity of the views they hold. A theoretical and conceptual understanding of social processes is important in evaluating change. Change rather than replication is the ever present dynamic of politics, more so in eras of crises like the first half of the 21st century.

In reading Tariq Ali’s biography of Churchill (Churchill: His Life and Crimes). A splendid writer, imaginative novelist, historian, political commentator and lifelong political activist this book chronicles a life of an unashamed defender of empire and imperialism, Winston Churchill. Ali wants to tear down the cult of Churchill that has been steadily built up over the last 40 years. Interestingly, he has a certain respect of Churchill because he did not pretend to be anything more than a defender of empire, unlike defenders of modern imperialism today, who cloak their empire building in the language of human rights.

Rodrigo Nunes ‘Neither Vertical of Horizontal: A theory of Political Organisation’ and Ernest Mandel’s ‘Trotsky as Alternative’ have  been two good books that I have read to think about political organisation. Mandels book ahead a useful outline to the main concepts characterising Trotskys contribution to politics. The Nunes book has a discussion about the relationship between leadership and organisation, the perennial question of politics. How does organisation emerge? What is the role of the leader? Is ‘the leader’ necessary in politics? Does the leader shape political movements or take over political movements? Do issues arise spontaneously? If so, why? Do all leaders centralise authority? These are some of the questions I have been asking myself. I brought in another book Erica Benner’s ‘Machiavelli’s Prince: A New Reading’, which may have some useful discussions about the role of political actors.

I downloaded a collection of articles about Ukraine from Le Monde Diplomatique. This follows my reading about the war in Ukraine. I realise the broad geo strategic issues are at the front of concerns about Ukraine. I wanted to have a closer look at the internal dynamics of political elites in post soviet Ukrainian history.

I have two audiobooks going. I like to have two at a time to introduce some variety into my listening. David Hunts ‘True Grit’ the second volume of his often (darkly) humorous take on Australian history has been helping in developing my understanding of Australian history. The other book is Thomas Piketty’s ‘A Brief History of Equality’ which has bee good in getting some insight into the evolution of the concept of equality. There is also good discussion about the multidimensional concept of equality.