Saito proves himself very knowledgeable, logical, and in possession of analytical thinking. This speech here might be a bit confusing to an average English speaker, since he inserts German sentences. Actually, I think the model he proposes might be quite well suited to and workable in Japan. In a way, it was already partially tested in the wake of the devastating East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 2011.
Interesting talk although I disagree with his point that Basic Income already exist and that it isn't different from what capitalism offers. No nation has implemented a complete basic income, i.e. unconditional and high enough to sustain a frugal but dignified life. Basic income offers one very significant thing differently and that is deep recognition of people's inherent unconditional value and worth completely decoupled from the person's worth on the market - so a deep undermining of capitalism. It also recognizes that wage work doesn't have intrinsic value. Given that, yes wage labor, market competition, etc. can keep existing to the extent people are interested in participating in it - and we can organically transition into systems that serve us better.
Yes, a deep "undermining of capitalism". Which is why capitalism will never allow such a scheme to exist. A true basic income system would only be possible under a post-capitalist, socialist form of economy and government. And don't imagine capitalism will quietly allow itself to be abolished by the mere wishes of the majority of the population.
@@GeorgeStJohnQuimby Precisely why this cannot be done through parliamentary reform. Sadly, a revolution, seems to be the only way forward, but I would like to be proven wrong.
Saito's point is that if a hypothetical left social movement was strong enough to achieve such a government program as UBI then why not simply go further and abolish capitalism? I agree that campaigning for UBI is a good way to organize without having to take on the potentially negative label of "anti-capitalist" while knowing full well that the moment we would be able to achieve such a thing, we would be able to also demand much more.
In his discussion of Marx's Critique of the Gotha Program, Saito alters Marx's assertion that productive forces must be increased IN ORDER to transcend "the narrow borders of bourgeois right" and meet our unfettered social (from each... to each...) needs. According to Saito's subsequent explanation, Marx is saying here that we must transcend bourgeois right in order to attain a socialist abundance (abundance of the common wealth"). He simply ignores the first part of Marx's expression. Changing facts to fit theory? Ecosocialism is correct, but Marx was a man of his time, and it does nothing for our understanding to blur his contradictions. He retained "promethean" views amid his laudable ecological understandings until the end.
"after the productive forces have also increased with the all-around development of the individual, and all the springs of cooperative ( common) wealth flow more abundantly-only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be crossed in its entirety and society inscribe on its banners: From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!” I see here productive forces increased, development of individual and also common wealth, (all that together - my understanding), and only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be crossed in its entirety. Can you from that above conclude "Marx is saying here that we must transcend bourgeois right in order to attain a socialist abundance (abundance of the common wealth )
Yeah I think he is misreading this quote and also ignoring the larger context of Marx's life and works. It's not like this is the only quote that contradicts his thesis. But also why is it so important to turn Marx into an eco-socialist? Just root your arguments in the present context and leave the dead German to the worms already damn.
14:16 Funny, I just came from a Guardian post I believe stating that this publication had just been translated to English! Obviously trying to give the impression that Japan is already somewhat on board with the idea of socialism. But you say it has just come out in Japanese? Was it first written in Palahvi or something? Is the Guardian lying maybe? It was posted on the Gaurdian website on 9th sep and titled: A new way of life the marxist post capitalist green manifesto captivating japan I say this as this channel/UA-cam has deleted the comment twice already due to the link.
The guardian article does state in its header: "Kohei Saito’s book Capital in the Anthropocene has become an unlikely hit among young people and *is about to be* translated into English", emphasis mine.
@@albaniaalban As it was the third time i wrote that comment I actually said English instead of Japanese. One source claims this publications has just come out in Japanese, and another says it has just/about to (makes no difference) come out in English. Which would lead you to believe it was first published in a third language. Likely it wasn't, and that one of these articles are trying to make it seem as if the publication reflects Japanese people more than it actually does. It's a 21st century western movement being made to look like a Japanese one, so they can try and re-sell it to us under a different (eastern) guise.
@@C.D.J.Burton The confusion appears to be that there are two different books mentioned: Marx in the Anthropocene (yet to be published) and Capital in the Anthropocene (published in 2020). "Marx in the Anthropocene, will be published later this year, with an English translation of his bestseller [Capital in the Anthropocene] to follow."
Saito proves himself very knowledgeable, logical, and in possession of analytical thinking. This speech here might be a bit confusing to an average English speaker, since he inserts German sentences. Actually, I think the model he proposes might be quite well suited to and workable in Japan. In a way, it was already partially tested in the wake of the devastating East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 2011.
fills me with hope, thank you for your poignant thoughts
14:26 "Basically I'm arguing for degrowth Communism"
Very polemic, cheers from Latin America!
Thank you
Great speech and interesting topic Saito Kun
Notice how he effortlessly switches between English and German, which indicates he's extremely well-read and studied Marx's writings in original.
Brilliant demonstration
Interesting talk although I disagree with his point that Basic Income already exist and that it isn't different from what capitalism offers. No nation has implemented a complete basic income, i.e. unconditional and high enough to sustain a frugal but dignified life. Basic income offers one very significant thing differently and that is deep recognition of people's inherent unconditional value and worth completely decoupled from the person's worth on the market - so a deep undermining of capitalism. It also recognizes that wage work doesn't have intrinsic value. Given that, yes wage labor, market competition, etc. can keep existing to the extent people are interested in participating in it - and we can organically transition into systems that serve us better.
Yes, a deep "undermining of capitalism". Which is why capitalism will never allow such a scheme to exist. A true basic income system would only be possible under a post-capitalist, socialist form of economy and government. And don't imagine capitalism will quietly allow itself to be abolished by the mere wishes of the majority of the population.
@@GeorgeStJohnQuimby Precisely why this cannot be done through parliamentary reform. Sadly, a revolution, seems to be the only way forward, but I would like to be proven wrong.
Saito's point is that if a hypothetical left social movement was strong enough to achieve such a government program as UBI then why not simply go further and abolish capitalism? I agree that campaigning for UBI is a good way to organize without having to take on the potentially negative label of "anti-capitalist" while knowing full well that the moment we would be able to achieve such a thing, we would be able to also demand much more.
In his discussion of Marx's Critique of the Gotha Program, Saito alters Marx's assertion that productive forces must be increased IN ORDER to transcend "the narrow borders of bourgeois right" and meet our unfettered social (from each... to each...) needs. According to Saito's subsequent explanation, Marx is saying here that we must transcend bourgeois right in order to attain a socialist abundance (abundance of the common wealth"). He simply ignores the first part of Marx's expression. Changing facts to fit theory? Ecosocialism is correct, but Marx was a man of his time, and it does nothing for our understanding to blur his contradictions. He retained "promethean" views amid his laudable ecological understandings until the end.
"after the productive forces have also increased with the all-around development of the individual, and all the springs of cooperative ( common) wealth flow more abundantly-only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be crossed in its entirety and society inscribe on its banners: From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!”
I see here productive forces increased, development of individual and also common wealth, (all that together - my understanding), and only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be crossed in its entirety.
Can you from that above conclude "Marx is saying here that we must transcend bourgeois right in order to attain a socialist abundance (abundance of the common wealth )
Yeah I think he is misreading this quote and also ignoring the larger context of Marx's life and works. It's not like this is the only quote that contradicts his thesis. But also why is it so important to turn Marx into an eco-socialist? Just root your arguments in the present context and leave the dead German to the worms already damn.
14:16 Funny, I just came from a Guardian post I believe stating that this publication had just been translated to English! Obviously trying to give the impression that Japan is already somewhat on board with the idea of socialism. But you say it has just come out in Japanese? Was it first written in Palahvi or something? Is the Guardian lying maybe?
It was posted on the Gaurdian website on 9th sep and titled: A new way of life the marxist post capitalist green manifesto captivating japan
I say this as this channel/UA-cam has deleted the comment twice already due to the link.
The guardian article does state in its header: "Kohei Saito’s book Capital in the Anthropocene has become an unlikely hit among young people and *is about to be* translated into English", emphasis mine.
@@albaniaalban As it was the third time i wrote that comment I actually said English instead of Japanese. One source claims this publications has just come out in Japanese, and another says it has just/about to (makes no difference) come out in English. Which would lead you to believe it was first published in a third language. Likely it wasn't, and that one of these articles are trying to make it seem as if the publication reflects Japanese people more than it actually does. It's a 21st century western movement being made to look like a Japanese one, so they can try and re-sell it to us under a different (eastern) guise.
@@C.D.J.Burton The confusion appears to be that there are two different books mentioned: Marx in the Anthropocene (yet to be published) and Capital in the Anthropocene (published in 2020). "Marx in the Anthropocene, will be published later this year, with an English translation of his bestseller [Capital in the Anthropocene] to follow."