On the Structure of Public Conflict: ŠOU–RŠ, MOL–ROG etc.

What do the struggle for Rog and Radio Študent have in common? In both cases, like in many others, one side provides arguments, polemicises, protests and warns, while the other side, the authorities, resort to silence, denying the existence of the political conflict and rejecting public dialogue. In this context, the authorities wager primarily on the ressentiment that gloatingly accompanies the destruction of progressive social structures and on time, which makes sure the conflict falls into oblivion. The idea of the public as a product of critical public discussion, which seemed to have been finally appropriated by liberal ideology, has re-emerged as a key weapon in the hands of progressive politics. One of the key problems of the present time is that, despite public opposition, the silent authorities seem to be able to continue with the political business as usual.