Accelerationism – KSINSIGHTS AUG 2024
Published on 12 Aug 2024
The recent spate of riots and violence in the UK attributed to far-right groups represents a troubling escalation in domestic unrest. These incidents have been characterized by a disturbing intensity and have targeted vulnerable communities, particularly migrants and Muslims, following false attributions and xenophobic provocations.
Overview of Recent Events
1.Riots in Southport and Beyond: The trigger for a series of violent episodes was the stabbing deaths of three children in Southport, which were wrongly blamed on Muslims and migrants, fueling far-right anger. This misinformation spurred riots across various cities, including Rotherham, Sunderland, and Leeds.
2.Targeted Attacks: Hotels housing asylum seekers and other migrant facilities have been specific targets. Rioters have smashed windows, set fires, and clashed violently with police forces, indicating a level of premeditation and coordination among far-right groups.
3.Response from Law Enforcement: The police and government have been forced to respond with increased presence and emergency measures. High-profile incidents have necessitated Cobra meetings, typically reserved for severe crises, highlighting the severity of the threat.
4.Public and Political Reaction: The violence has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil society. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials have vowed to bring rioters to justice and have emphasized the non-representative nature of these acts regarding the broader British public.
5.Community Impact: These events have deeply affected the UK’s Muslim communities, prompting increased security measures at mosques and a palpable rise in fear and anxiety among British Muslims. The violence has been described by community leaders as a direct result of unchecked Islamophobia.
Analysis of Motivations and Implications
The motivations behind these riots are primarily fueled by far-right ideologies that exploit economic uncertainties, cultural fears, and political grievances. The use of accelerationist rhetoric among some rioters suggests an intent not just to protest but to actively destabilize society in hopes of catalyzing a broader political and cultural shift.
This strategy of tension reflects a dangerous trend where far-right groups are not merely expressing discontent but are seeking to enact a vision of societal transformation that is exclusionary and often violently realized
This surge in violence, exemplified by riots targeting migrants and Muslims, has been particularly shocking. Notably, these acts, though often labeled simply as hate crimes, share characteristics with terrorism—especially in their ideological underpinnings and motivations, which starkly differ from those typically associated with Islamist terrorism. Such extremism has found philosophical fuel in a concept known as accelerationism, notably advocated by groups like the Order of Nine Angels, which promotes hastening societal collapse to bring about radical change.
Accelerationism is a philosophical and political concept that has intrigued and perplexed thinkers for decades. Rooted in radical critiques of modern society, it suggests that the forces driving capitalism and technological change should be accelerated to bring about new socio- economic order. This article explored the nuanced contours of accelerationism, its intellectual origins, its branches, and its co-optation by extremist ideologies.
Accelerationism?
Accelerationism posits that the prevailing systems and structures of society, particularly capitalism, should be pushed towards collapse or radical transformation by accelerating their inherent processes. Rather than reforming or gradually improving these systems, accelerationism argues for their intensification to catalyze significant change.
Historical and Philosophical Origins
Accelerationism’s roots can be traced back to Marxist theory and the cybernetic cultural wave of the late 20th century. Philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari introduced concepts like “deterritorialization” and “schizoanalysis”, which critique societal norms and propose fluidity in personal and social identity as a form of resistance against structured power. Meanwhile, Zizek’s interpretation often reflects a critical take on the global capitalist system, highlighting its contradictions and unsustainable nature. Nick Land, perhaps the most radical proponent, views capitalism as a sort of artificial intelligence that, once unleashed, will inevitably remake the world in an entirely new image, for better or worse.
Left Accelerationism
Left-wing accelerationism advocates for the exacerbation of capitalism’s dynamics to hasten its self-destruction and the rise of a post-capitalist society. This approach is underpinned by a belief that the escalation of capitalist crises will mobilize the masses to revolutionary action, leading to systemic change. Unlike other forms, it explicitly aims to repurpose technologies for emancipatory potential, aligning technological advancement with socialist objectives.
Co-option by the Right
Accelerationism has also been co-opted by the extreme right, manifesting in a dark and twisted mirror image of its leftist counterpart. Right-wing accelerationists adopt the theory as a rationale for sowing chaos to destabilize the political order, aiming to rebuild it according to reactionary principles. This pernicious form of accelerationism has, alarmingly, been linked to acts of terrorism, with perpetrators using the guise of hastening societal collapse to justify their atrocities.
“Accelerationism” as a Rationale for Terrorism
In the hands of the extreme right, accelerationism becomes a justification for violent action intended to accelerate societal breakdown.
This interpretation leverages the theory’s esoteric jargon and radical proposition to cloak hateful ideologies in a veneer of intellectualism, making it a potent tool for radicalizing individuals and justifying violent extremism.
Despite – or perhaps because of – its complexity, accelerationism has lingered at the fringes of philosophical discourse. Terms like “schizoanalysis” and “deterritorialization” illustrate its departure from mainstream thought, embracing a language that is both exotic and esoteric. Its appeal to the extreme right can be attributed to this complexity, which obscures more straightforward, often dangerous interpretations under layers of radical theory. The superficial simplicity perceived by some, laden with underlying dogwhistles, has made it an attractive ideological tool for those wishing to disrupt and dismantle current systems.
Accelerationism challenges the conventional pathways of political change, advocating for a radical acceleration of processes to achieve revolutionary ends. While intellectually stimulating, it poses significant risks when misinterpreted or maliciously applied. As it continues to evolve, both its adherents and critics must vigilantly consider the implications of its radical logic, ensuring it serves to illuminate rather than destroy.