obituary: professor paul hirst

1946 - 2003

Paul Hirst, Professor of Social Th eory at Birkbeck College, University of London, died on 16 June 2003 fo llowing a brain haemorrhage. He was fi fty-seven.

aul was one of the most impor­ insights of structuralist analysis, and P tant social and political thinkers quickly came to challenge the coher­ of his generation. But more than ence of the central categories of Marxist this, he was an energetic campaigner thought. In Pre-Capitalist Modes of for practical reform. His tireless enthu­ Production and Mode of Production and siasm and commitment animated many Social Formation (1975, 1977, both intellectual and political projects : he with Barry Hindess), he contested the was a founding signatory and Chair of idea that 'historical materialism', con­ the constitutional reform movement ceived as a science of history, could Charter 88, co-founder of the journal comprise the core of Marxist intellectu­ Economy and Society, and Chair of the al practice. He engaged further with Political Quarterly editorial board . He theories of history and historical writing initiated The London Consortium PhD in Marxism and Historical Writing Programme, bringing together Birkbeck (1985), and in On Law and Ideology with the Architectural Association, The (1979) argued that the distinction Ta te and the Institute of Contemporary between the economic base and ideo­ Arts, and was its Director. He was more logical superstructure was unsustain­ than a thinker, he was someone who able: the concept of property key to the provided the leadership, hard work, economic relations of capitalism could and determination with which political only be understood through examina­ campaigns, intellectual achievement, tion of the ideological field of law. This and institutional reforms are sustained work challenged intellectuals of the left and advanced. to re-think their understanding of the Paul was a polymath and prolific relation between law and democratic writer. He made importa nt contribu­ practice, and to develop a reasoned tions to the analysis of social theory, and analytical understanding of the law, architecture, military history, and specific role of law in the constitution philosophical debates in the social sci­ and maintenance of social order, some­ ences. Through his early work on Louis thing he himself advanced in Law, Althusser, he both extended the Socialism and Democracy (1986). While Paul quickly left Althusser institutions was remarkable. This is behind, his theoretical imagination and most clearly borne out in his long­ concern with politics flourished. In 1982 standing commitment to Birkbeck, he published Social Relations and which he joined in 1969, going on in Human Attributes (with Penny Woolley), 1972 to found the School of Politics still one of the most cogent analyses of and Sociology with Sir Bernard Crick the biological and social aspects of per­ and Sami Zubaida. But this commit­ sonhood available. He eschewed the ment is evident also in his key role at narrowness of conventional disciplinary Charter 88, and in the founding of the boundaries. Against those who would London Consortium. With regard to pursue avowedly ideological arguments, each of these institutions, Paul's and those determined to remain within a insight, breadth of imagination, energy narrowly apolitical understanding of and determination made him a life work in political studies, Paul took seri­ force. At Birkbeck, he helped shape ously the task of thinking both realisti­ and give direction to distinctive degree cally and imaginatively about contempo­ programmes that refuse the narrow­ rary problems. This is evident in his work ness of one discipline, while demand­ on democratic governance, globalisa­ ing that students engage with the most tion, and war. In Associative Democracy difficult of material. Just the most (1994), Representative Democracy and recent of these educational initiatives its Limits (1990), and After Thatcher is the innovative PhD programme of (1989), he focused on rethinking the London Consortium, founded in democracy in the face of the limits 1995 to challenge the relativism of imposed by both traditional liberal much work in cultural studies and to democratic forms and state socialism. In combine a commitment to theory with his seminal contribution Globalisation in artistic practice . Having steered this Question (1996 and 1999, with from its beginning, he was about to Grahame Thompson), he challenged the step down as academic director of a widely held belief in 'globalisation', and flourishing programme in order to in War and Power in the 21st Century devote his time to the development of (2001), he argued that technological a new MSc in International Security at and climate change may lead to serious Birkbeck. He was also about to accept armed conflict. All of these books refuse the role of Pro Vice-Master for teaching wishful thinking, give bleak analyses of at Birkbeck, a role that would have the current situation, and at the same enabled him to demonstrate still fur­ time provide resources for engaging with ther his commitment to an egalitarian the present in more effective ways. They model of excellence. demonstrate, above all, a capacity for He was the most inspiring of col­ judgement, something for which Paul leagues, offering academic leader­

appeals in the piece published here. At ship, intellectual generosity, serious­ the time of his death he had almost ness, and humour. Perhaps the most completed a monograph on space and important thing about Paul as a col­ power, bringing together social theory, league was his capacity for intellectu­ architecture, urban planning and the al comradeship; one could hurl any­ space of the new world order. It is hoped thing at him and know that he would that this work will be published. respond directly and honestly, Paul's contribution to the develop­ whether one's concern was about ment of academic and democratic political philosophy, the international

european political science: autumn 2003 61 economy, the state of the university same, he was exemplary. system, or whether to buy a flat. His The School of Politics and Sociology enormous ra nge of engagement, and is planning a number of events to hon­ sense of humour, made joy of even our Paul Hirst: an international confer­ the most difficult of circumstances. ence in 2004, the naming of the sem­ Te aching with him always meant inar room in 10 Gower Street, and a one would have great fun with ideas, memorial fund to endow an annual so that even the most abstract of top­ lecture. ics would gain from his capacity to Britain has lost one of its foremost make them engaging. He would dive intellectuals. Colleagues and friends into quite specific and often bizarre will miss him always. observations - Immanuel Kant's pool He is survived by his wife Penny playing techniques, for example, that and son Jamie. would leave everyone reeling.

His keenness to cultivate others, Samantha Ashenden and time for others, was reflected in School of Politics and Sociology his continued commitment to teaching Birkbeck College first year undergraduates, and in his willingness to read and comment on work of all of his colleagues. He had a precise and energetic intellect, but also determination to fight for the things and people to whom he was committed. He engaged fully with stu­ dents, not just those who excelled academically, but also those who worked hard and struggled. He was egalitarian by nature. Paul cared not who you were, but what you thought and what you could do. He cared, and took delight in other people, and in their achievements. Pa ul was, in the manner of some­ one with an enormous and sceptical intellect, capable of astute and pes­ simistic diagnoses of the present; but he was also always positive and prac­ tically engaged with the tasks of renewing our social and political land­ scapes, institutions, and relations, even in his recognition of the intractability of the problems to be faced. He offered extraordinary breadth and depth of engagement with the world, and he demanded this of others too. In always pursuing the work he thought most important, and by encouraging others to do the