The Real Split in the International McHale, J. (transl.)

First published in 1972 in Paris, The Real Split in the International is regarded as one of Guy Debord's finest works. / Exploding as politically revolutionary at the heart of the Paris 1968 uprisings, the Situationist International has proved a tenaciously compelling radical movement in terms of asthetics and political theory. / This crucially important book is not only a philosophical landmark, it is also a cult classic that has has established the Situationist movement -- of which Debord was the key member -- as one of the most influential of the twentieth century. / This new translation by John McHale is the first officially authorised in English. The book has previously been available only in underground or online formats, so McHale's work promises to bring the work of the Situationists to an even wider audience. / / The Real Split in the International sees Debord not only evaluate the movement as a whole, but also signal the end of it. For him, it had become clear that the Situationist's success had produced -- within its own ranks as well as outside them -- a host of fans and 'onlookers' who amounted to little more than consumers of a radicality that had become fashionable. In this way the movement had begun to encompass the very 'society of the spectacle' that the Situationists had challenged. There was a danger that Situationist theory could turn into ideology -- Debord's reaction was to break up the movement. / Essential to an understanding of the revolutionary thought that inspired May 1968, this book is also an indispensable guide to all that is at stake in the 'society of the spectacle'.



CONTENTS / Introduction / Translator's Acknowledgements / Theses on the Situationist International and its time, by Guy Debord and Gianfranco Sanguinetti / Appendices / 1. Notes to serve towards the history of the Situationist International from 1969 to 1971 / 2. On our enemies' decay / 3. Guy Debord's report to the seventh Situationist International Conference in Paris (excerpts) / 4. Raoul Vaneigem's letter of resignation / 5. Communique from the Situationist International concerning Vaneigem / 6. Declaration of the 11th November 1970 / 7. Statutes adopted at the Venice Conference on the 30th September 1969 (excerpt) / 8. The detournements in the Theses on the Situationist International and its time / 9. Detournement as negation and prelude (Guy Debord in issue no.3 of the Situationist International journal, excerpt)