The threat of arrest and detainment is a major deterrent to political action in modern societies. The political moment is the moment in which this threat of arrest is displaced. In that moment, affective disidentification with the law crystallizes from vague notions of reform or transgression[1] and people mobilize as a law unto themselves.
There is good reason for arrest and detention to be such a deterrent. First, the judicial/correctional system marks/criminalizes bodies in various ways. Second, the judicial correctional system’s objective conditions are magnified/amplified/mythologized/mystified in social discourses/practices of terror.
We must begin with gangs. We can call them American soviets[2]–i.e. the spontaneous form of organization adopted by working class communities. Gangs are one example of organizations that have developed strategies for negating arrest and incarceration as a deterrent to action They do this by having a network on both sides of the wall. In many cases, gangs begin by establishing hegemony within correctional facilities, and then their hegemony begins to spread to the outside world as converts are released.
Knowing that they are affiliated with an organization that can guarantee them security behind bars, these people are less inclined to fear incarceration: moreover, knowing that the organization values certain acts very highly, as indications of loyalty, intensity, courage and so on, adherents can anticipate gains in status based on performing illegal acts. Thus, many are lead to a progressive disidentification with the law, both affective and cognitive.
Mark Twain’s famous novel, Huckleberry Finn offers us a very clear example of the arrival of a ‘political moment’ figured forth in the life of an individual. Huck disidentifies with “god’s law” and in a sense his action becomes a law unto itself.
Likewise, the recent events in Athens, Greece give us a more straightforwardly political example.
From the other angle, namely the reactionary angle, we can see the emergence of the new right wing after the demise of post-war American liberalism as an example of a political moment.[3]
Overall, the political moment arises from an affective displacement. As Spinoza held, an affect can only be displaced by another stronger affect.[4]
[1] Cf. Pecheux/Theories of Discourse Disidentification vs. rebel vs. conformist
[2] Mike Davis preface to A World of Gangs xvi and preceding
[3] Suburban Warriors Also Thomas frank and Naomi Klein
[4] Ethica IV (Of Human Bondage, or the Strength of the Emotions)
Prop. 7. An emotion cannot be checked or destroyed except by a contrary emotion which is stronger than the emotion which is to be checked.
Well burrowed, old mole! 