At this session of Counter-narratives we'll discuss "The Utopia of Rules: On technology, stupidity and the secret joys of bureaucracy" by David Graeber. 

The language of antibureaucratic individualism was originally adopted by right-wingers and neoliberals in order to assert the superiority of market forces over government policymaking, and to reduce government interference in the economy. History, however, reveals that political policies that favour the market have always involved even more bureaucracy. Over the last decades the alliance of finance and corporate bureaucrats spawned a new corporate culture that has invaded educational, scientific and government circles. Public and private bureaucracies have merged together in a mass of paperwork that facilitates the direct extraction of wealth.

The Right thus has a critique of bureaucracy based mainly on myths and fallacies engineered to promote its own goals. The Left, on the other hand, has not seriously even attempted to create one. The essays assembled in this book were directed at initiating an urgently needed Left critique of bureaucracy for our times. They don't represent a single argument, but rather constitute David Graeber's attempt to begin a long overdue conversation. Bureaucratic practices, habits and sensibilities rule and demean our lives; it's high time we found ways to talk about what they actually entail!

Everyone attending should read the book beforehand, but it's OK if you don't manage to finish in time. The discussion will be open and informal – without presentations or guidance, as we're all equally in the process of learning. Please contact spxx@kpnmail.nl for further info. If you plan to attend, please send e-mail at least 3 days in advance, preferably earlier – and do also remember to cancel asap if your plans change. Looking forward to seeing you there! 

For a full description of the session and the latest updates, please consult this page. The session is part of our Counter-narratives study circle on anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist thinking, which meets roughly once in six weeks. More information on the study circle, its motivation and other sessions can be found on this page.