Capitalist inequality, absence of two class model of capitalism, lack of centrality of production, lack of structural and national control over labor, ideas and capital, rise of the irrational, lack of consensus, increased participation of the marginal in development discourse and environmental risks are the predicaments of development. What then is the solution?
Beck’s solution is (Beck, 1992, 234):
My answer is, through the extension and legal protection of certain possibilities for sub-politics to exert influence. Essential background condition for this certainly include strong and independent courts, as well as strong and independent media, with everything that presumes. Those are, one might say, two of the mail pillars in the system of sub-political controls. But as the past reaches us, they are not sufficient in themselves. A supplementary step is required. The possibilities of self-control that are held up by all possessors of monopolies must be supplemented by opportunities by self-criticism. That is to say, things that until now have only been able to make their way with great difficulty against the dominance of professions or operational management must be institutionally protected: alternative evaluations, alternative professional practice, discussions within organizations or professions of the consequences of their own developments, and repressed criticism. In this case Popper is really correct; criticism does mean progress. |
To me Beck is talking about two things. First, he conveys that self, local and global are three different realities which are intricately mixed. Secondly, he wants to revive the critical spirit of the values solidified inside the local and professional practices. The impact of the critical spirit is, however, contingent on the interplay of forces of power and politics. In this context, the next four lectures will be devoted to politics. Since our unit of analysis is India, we will include the history and characteristics of political parties and the role of other actors in maintaining what Beck calls the critical spirit. The human destiny is not seen as fixed anymore. It determines and is determined by the values and political expression of values by political and other actors in society and outside.
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