Vom Verschwinden bedroht?: Politische Theorie und Ideengeschichte in der curricularen Reformfalle

In: Osterreichische Zeitschrift fur Politikwissenschaft, Band 36, Heft 1, S. 49-56

Abstract

This essay addresses the question of political theory formation from a media-theoretical perspective, using the mailing list Nettime as an example. It argues that the question of social legitimacy of political theory should be considered in relation to the media employed in its production. Under the pressure of proving its usefulness, so it is suggested, political theory tends to seek refuge either in the metaphysical or in the empirical, curtailing its potential. The predicament both tendencies involve are described in terms of their respective "media aprioris," i.e. of the relationship between the validity of theoretical claims on the one hand, & the nature & control of media employed in their production on the other. Contrasting with both these tendencies, the theory production on Nettime is described as one that actively engages in making its media apriori explicit, criticising & developing its own media base. With reference to media history & theories of Brecht & Benjamin, the essay describes the resulting political theory as one that is a politicised theory rather than a theory of the political: such a theory, it concludes, is "impure" in so far as it is practical, amateurish, transdisciplinary, & tactical. Nettime is a street theatre performing political theory. References. Adapted from the source document.