ABSTRACT

Intellectual opposition to the prevailing form of life seems to become increasingly impotent and ineffective. The aim of this opposition: man’s liberation from domination and exploitation, has failed to materialize although the historical conditions for its realization have been attained. The revolutionary forces which were to bring about freedom are being assimilated to the all-embracing system of monopolistic controls. Thus apparently left without a real denominator, and lacking a tangible designatum, the word, the image, the tone which were formerly antagonistic and transcendent to the prevailing order are now losing their alienating power. Revolutionary social and political theory remains academic, even where it stipulates the right social and political action, and this action itself is either co-ordinated with the powers that be, or crushed by them without resonance. All indictments are easily absorbed by the system which they indict. The exposure of concentration camps, of the continuing liquidation of anti-fascist forces throughout the world makes bestsellers or movie hits. Revolutionary art becomes fashionable and classical. Picasso’s Guernica is a cherished museum piece.