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Jews and genes

Several critics of Shlomo Sand’s book have seized on recent scientific studies that supposedly proved "that Jewish communities in places as far afield as Europe and the Caucasus are genetically linked, and that their DNA ancestry traces back to the Middle East" and thus that "demonstrate conclusively that the theories propounded by Sand and others ring visibly and unmistakably hollow". Sand himself, in the postface to the paperback edition of his book, argues that: "After exhausting all the historical arguments, several critics have seized on genetics. The same people who maintain that the Zionists never referred to a race conclude their argument by evoking a common Jewish gene. Their thinking can be summed up as follows: ‘We are not a pure race, but we are a race just the same.’ ... As of today, no study based on anonymous DNA samples has succeeded in identifying a genetic marker specific to Jews, and it is not likely that any study ever will." Is Shlomo Sand’s argument—especially where it concerns the role of conversion in the spread of Judaism—vulnerable to objections based on genetic science?

In response to The Invention of the Jewish People by Shlomo Sand

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Badiou and the state

Alain Badiou's political writings, such as his recent Communist Hypothesis, are marked by their association with his theory of the Event (characterised by some as akin to a miracle) and the notion of a politics "at a distance from the state". This has led to criticisms regarding the abstraction of Badiou's politics and the lack of organisational mediations. For example, Luke Evans in Socialist Review says: "Badiou's conflict between the "Event" and the "State" leaves no space for how the immediate struggle for reforms may change gradually over time and become a revolutionary movement as the working class begins to realise its own power. Rather Badiou's revolution is a sudden movement of force. Revolutions don't seem to be able to emerge as a result of the obvious struggles and conflicts that we all see and live through right now." In the face of pressures pushing in the direction of political "realism" and even electoralism, is Badiou's stance a necessary corrective, or rather a replay of classic debates on abstentionism, ultra-leftism and so on?

In response to The Communist Hypothesis by Alain Badiou

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Cutting Edge is an excellent book

I discovered Cutting Edge when I was writing my undergraduate thesis for the sociology department at my alma mater in the spring of this year. Since I had to research and write on topics relating to political economy for my thesis, i.e. the introduction of new and different technologies and methods of organizing work, this book became a useful reference source. Although Cutting Edge came out in 1997, it is still relevant for scholars and activists today. But even so, I think Verso can and ought to publish an updated and expanded re-issue and/or a follow-up volume (a sequel, if you will).

In response to Cutting Edge Edited by Jim Davis, Thomas Hirschl, et al.

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Is there an anarchist program?

Professor Henry Farrell reviewed Under Three Flags and James Scott's newest book which can be read at: http://www.the-american-interest.com/article-bd.cfm?piece=916. While he raises some interesting questions, he summarizes anarchism too briefly to yield his conclusion that it has taken a good turn since the late 19th century by renouncing "violence" and accepting the fact that states are here to stay. Hence, states should not be overthrown in favor of statelessness. He does note anarchism is an vibrant ideology and its activists are important for building networks, developing solidarities and raising consciousness. I don't think that most anarchists would agree with his conclusions but I would very much like to see their responses to his suggestions!

In response to Under Three Flags by Benedict Anderson

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student protests in croatia

there have been student mobilizations in croatia too for the past 2 years. little of that is known outside the country, of course. anyway, here's a statement of solidarity from croatian students with middlesex students from may 2010. just to give you some idea about the ideological thrust of it all, after two decades of first nationalist, then (neo)liberal hegemony: http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/middlesex110510.html

In response to Springtime Edited by Tania Palmieri and Clare Solomon

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