Political theorist Sandro Mezzadra examines the shifting landscapes of contemporary social movements in Europe. In his talk at the “Pluriverse of Peace” conference, Mezzadra reflects on recent mobilizations in Italy, ranging from political general strikes to student occupations, and traces how feminist, environmental, and anti-war struggles generate new forms of collective action and political subjectivity. Drawing on debates about emerging war regimes today, Mezzadra argues for reclaiming the concept of transition. Rather than viewing it as a technocratic roadmap, he suggests considering it as an open horizon that offers an alternative to the apocalyptic tone that shapes much of today’s activism. In his talk, Mezzadra explores this idea and revisits the question of transitioning to communism as a strategic approach to current struggles.
The talk was created for and presented at the “Pluriverse of Peace” conference on Thursday, October 16 at the ICI Berlin. It is loosely based on Sandro Mezzadra’s contribution to the “Pluriverse of Peace” text series.