The Sharing Economy as Primitive Accumulation: Locating the Political-Economic Position of the Capital-Extractive Sharing Economy
There has been much debate in the columns of newspapers as to how we should understand the sharing economy, but as yet, much of the debate is largely superficial, garnering little attention in terms of rigorous academic analysis. In this paper, I argue that the rise of the capital-extractive sharing economy model employed by companies like Uber and Airbnb cannot be understood outside of the political-economic context from which it emerges. Drawing on the work of Marxist scholars like David Harvey, I analyze such models through the lens of primitive accumulation, positioning their development as positive evidence of Harvey’s theory that capitalism seeks to colonize new spheres of social life in order to offload the tensions of its own internal conflicts; in this case, labour market insecurity. Further, I argue that the rise of the capital-extractive sharing economy should be recognized as constituting a further entrenchment of the global neoliberal project, particularly as it stands to affect union organizing, force deregulation in favour of free market fundamentals, and further deepen the labour market insecurity from which it rises in the first place.
HPS: The Journal of History and Political Science; Vol. 5 (2017): HPS: The Journal of History and Political Science Vol. 5
Luxemburg’s Dilemmas: Lessons in Marxism as Political Praxis
This article investigates the tensions in the writings of Rosa Luxemburg as juxtaposed to her historical contemporaries in light of the debate on reformist Marxism. Primarily, her exchanges with Eduard Bernstein on the question of social revolution and with Vladimir Lenin on the question of nationality are explored. In relating these debates to present day examples of social and protest movements, as well as those for national independence, the article attempts to tease out guidance for Marxist political praxis in the current day. By close reading of the Bernstein-Luxemburg debate, it can be seen that the “reform or revolution” debate is often posited in terms which are inconsistent with those the authors originally meant. The article posits that there is no inherent tension or dichotomous relationship between reforms and revolutionary practice as consistent with the way the terms are normally used today. At the same time, it raises questions about what the practical limits of Marxism as both an analytic framework and a guide to political action are, particularly on the question of nationalism.
A closer look at the ‘misuses of feminism’ for advancing imperialistic agendas: A case study of Iraq.
Liberating third world, Muslim women from the clutches of oppressive Arab men has proven to be a popular and seductive justification for the military invasion of various Middle Eastern states throughout history. Individuals that support the ‘liberation’ of women of colour through military occupations argue that women in these ‘third world states’ are oppressed and require the assistance of a western military invasion to facilitate their liberation. This stems from viewing Arab women as mainly docile and passive individuals rather than active participants of their lives and destinies engaging in their own forms of resistance. Yet, a growing number of scholars and feminists are beginning to question the possibility of liberating women through the very forces that oppress them- namely imperialism and militarism. This paper- through a case study of Iraq- is similarly critical of the possibility of liberating women through a military invasion. It attempts to answer questions such as; how are women living in ‘post-liberated’ Iraq versus under Saddam, and what do their daily struggles look like, in its endeavour to paint a picture of the status of the various groups of women in Iraqi society pre and post 2003 invasion. The paper argues Iraqi women experience their society and the Baath regime differentially based on a combination of factors such as their social class, place of residence- urban or rural, political affiliation and so on. Thus rather than viewing Iraqi women as a homogenous group of oppressed women that require western military assistance for their liberation the paper encourages individuals to pay more attention to the grassroots. Only when the oppressed and exploited participate in the process of their liberation can the endeavor be successful.
HPS: The Journal of History and Political Science; Vol. 4 (2015): HPS Journal 2015
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The False Pursuit of Womens Rights in Afghanistan: American Rhetoric and Propaganda
States of exception in the post-9/11 world
Global Powers and Iran’s Nuclear Issue: The Case For Empire Building
HPS: The Journal of History and Political Science; Vol 3 (2014): HPS Journal 2014
United We Stand, Divided We Fall: The Case for a World Environment Organization
Colonialism and Nationalism in Burma: A Contestation of an Embattled Country
Canadian Media and Refugees: The Representation of Tamil Plight
Argentina and the IMF: Over a Decade After Default