Resolving the Contradictions of Academic Unionism

Abstract

Economic crises are never just economic—they call into question the legitimacy of all major social institutions and the governing value system that unifies them into a hegemonic way of life. That is why crises are always moments of possibility for systemic change—the contradiction between the ruling value system and people’s life-requirements is exposed, opening a shared space for critical, democratic reflection on alternatives to a failing status quo. If democratic mobilization is to be defeated and the crisis resolved on the ruling class’s terms, new ways of running existing institutions must be devised.