Formation of Common Interest

Do not limit your solidarity to those just like you.

Step over the boundary of your social group. The world is much bigger and more complex than it seems from this point of view. Families, corporations, friends, lovers and even activist groups are various forms of aggregation of private interests that never become common.

FORMATION OF COMMON INTEREST IS A COMPLEX TASK

Russia has been deprived of common interest and solidarity for several decades. You can dig into the past as deep as you like.

To begin with, the growth of individual consumption and various forms of private interest in the USSR of the 1970s came into conflict with the workers' solidarity. Besides, do not forget about the aggressive formation of markets in Russia in the 1990s, the ongoing collapse of the social state in the 2000s (monetization of benefits, privatization of medicine and education) and the decreasing incomes today. All this has lead to the increased atomization of Russian society.

Survival is now completely dependent on whether you are a private interest holder and whether you have the appropriate motivation structures. According to Russian sociologist Greg Yudin, we are all "frightened atoms". And this might be the main obstacle that prevents people from acting together today.

A tradition of understanding solidarity initiated by Russian anarchist philosopher Mikhail Bakunin goes through a debate on solidarity among French political thinkers in the 20th century. It can be found, for example, in the texts of Maurice Blanchot and Jean-Luc Nancy. The idea is that true solidarity is only possible with those who we do not like.

Do not limit your solidarity to those just like you.

Step over the boundary of your social group. The world is much bigger and more complex than it seems from this point of view. Families, corporations, friends, lovers and even activist groups are various forms of aggregation of private interests that never become common.

Common arises despite private interests.

Please, let's give it a chance.