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Critical Machine

The project Critical Machine, analytically set and research based, is conceived as a contribution for creating conditions for continuous reproduction and dissemination of left critique in Serbia, that deals with analysis of social phenomena available to the wider public. An almost complete disappearance of left-critical speech from the public sphere was one of the consequences of a complex and contradictory period of social transformation dominated by (neo)liberal concepts, so-called transition from one political system to another. The period of economic crisis led also to an increased interest in left-wing politics, theory and practice, especially through local and regional knowledge sharing between political-activist and theoretical-critical-analytical initiatives. The key question of the project is what language of critique to use and how to create a space in a broader area of public speech for the critique to be effective. 

The collapse of actually existing socialism in former Yugoslavia led to the disappearance, i.e., privatization of the infrastructure that was built by the labour movement throughout the twentieth century. Hence, left critical thought in Serbia lost the base that would allow its development, distribution and action. Meanwhile, liberal and right wing narratives fully hegemonized the key positions of production and distribution of social critique (political sphere, universities, associations, activist groups, unions, the media). The complex and contradictory period of social transformation, the so-called “transition” from one political system to another, dominated by neoliberal concepts of “modernization”, “liberalization”, “deregulation” and “privatization” is almost exclusively confined to the rhetoric of “no alternative” and unquestioning. Through these concepts and on the principle of “structural adjustment” specific neo-colonial regimes were actually established. Demands for “liberal democracy”, “civil society”, “market economy”, respect of human rights as well as the protection of “private property”, etc. were crystallized as keywords in public discourse. 

When it comes to the (radical) left theoretical and political concepts and practices, during the 1990’s they have been additionally burdened, stigmatized and rendered almost invisible by the political and economic effects of the (only) party “heir” of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia (SKJ) – the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), and later, the Yugoslav United Left (JUL). However, at the beginning of 2000’s, especially since the outbreak of the economic crisis in 2008 and in the second decade of the twothousands, there has been a growing interest in the left politics, theory and practice, generated through local and regional knowledge sharing between political-activist and theoretical-critical-analytical initiatives. This can be particularly claimed for the countries in the region (especially Slovenia and Croatia), where new initiatives in publishing and web media as well as new editorial boards in already existing media have appeared. Also, there are authors who managed to gain more attention and present an alternative articulation of the social phenomena to the wider public. Today we can say that a certain critical-analytical production exists and circulates in Serbia as well. However, the key question is how to create a space in a broader area of public speech that such critical analyses would occupy.

Contribution in providing conditions for continuous reproduction and dissemination of the new language of critique is exactly the goal of this project. This critique would deal with the analysis of social phenomena available to the wider public that is set up in an analytical methodology, research-based and with a critical acuity. At the same time, these topics and their content have to be open for further discussion, reflection and participation in articulating contemporary left politics. The need for such language (which would vary from classical forms of journalistic writing to some more academic forms) is even more evident when one takes into account the fact that the places where young people would be educated in this kind of (written) reflections are almost non-existent. However, this task is somewhat easier by the fact that in recent years more and more projects, mostly with their debating programs, succeed in sensitizing part of the public, especially precarious workers and students. However, the need for new analyses that would consistently oppose the logic of “common sense” and social “consensus” seems to be necessary.

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