THIS article offers some really interesting counterfactuals about cultural imperialism. Seems the relationship between globalisation and western culture is not a linear as we may assume.
And on the general topic THIS excellent piece in Foreign Affairs castes some interesting light on the US's embrace of rising India and China. It's the topic of our times - how to change the global architecture to accomodate these emerging giants. Institutions created in the 1940s ossify the world view of WW2's victors (particularly its western ones). Unreformed, they just won't cut it in future. These are very interesting issues - particularly for the US. How will it cope with sharing the limelight (and giving up a degree of autonomy)? And how will it manage the relative demographic and economic decline of Europe? Worth a read.
I'm thinking of introducing a rating system for articles - given that not everyone I know has my quota of reading hours each day. I'd give the first article 3.5 stars (a worthwhile caveat to a tired debate), and the second 4.5 stars (the most accessible synthesis of the India/China challenge I've read).
28 February 2007
27 February 2007
South Africa: Complex evermore
I really wish I had written more during my time in South Africa. There's a reason so many amazing novels come out of that country - South Africa represents the frontline of humanity. It grapples with all the uncomfortable issues that the rest of us squirm to avoid: Race; class; poverty; violence; religion; language; identity; all are write large across its much traumatised landscape. It is quite simply like nowhere else on the planet.
A NY Times article - HERE - catches a glimpse of South Africa's social complexity. It looks at how Afrikaaners are dealing with their dual history of victimhood and victimisation, and the reaction of other ethnic groups to their expression of cultural pride. People need identity, and history - and its bloody hard to be weighed down by histories mistakes. I met plenty of young Afrikaaners who were so proud of their new nation, proud of their heritage and language, but well aware of how history and the world stereotypes them. I also met a fair few unreconstructed isolationists (like the Orania types in this article). Alistair Sparks (I think) noted that the ANC are fonder of the Afrikaaners than they are of British South Africans - In their view the white english-speaking liberals were all talk and no action during apartheid, and dual-passport holders. The Afrikaaners at least were committed to the land, perhaps a little too ruthlessly. That the ANC and the National Party have since merged is testament to this - strange bedfellows in a strange bed. Anyway, have a read before it disappears into the NY times vault.
A NY Times article - HERE - catches a glimpse of South Africa's social complexity. It looks at how Afrikaaners are dealing with their dual history of victimhood and victimisation, and the reaction of other ethnic groups to their expression of cultural pride. People need identity, and history - and its bloody hard to be weighed down by histories mistakes. I met plenty of young Afrikaaners who were so proud of their new nation, proud of their heritage and language, but well aware of how history and the world stereotypes them. I also met a fair few unreconstructed isolationists (like the Orania types in this article). Alistair Sparks (I think) noted that the ANC are fonder of the Afrikaaners than they are of British South Africans - In their view the white english-speaking liberals were all talk and no action during apartheid, and dual-passport holders. The Afrikaaners at least were committed to the land, perhaps a little too ruthlessly. That the ANC and the National Party have since merged is testament to this - strange bedfellows in a strange bed. Anyway, have a read before it disappears into the NY times vault.
Hi, I'm from Oceania
Today, for the first time in my life, I was tagged as a representative of 'Oceania.' How very exotic and Miss World that sounds. It made me think a little about being Oceanian (is that the correct name?). I thought of my friends who work for the EU and their unitary joy at being 'European.' I thought of the debate about 'Asian values' and about the ANC's soaring rhetoric on 'African unity', and I thought of the hymns to Bolivarian solidarity sung by Chavez and his South American pals. But who weeps tears of joy for Oceania? It sounds like a theme park - all watersides, fish tanks and polenesian goddesses. Perhaps Disney will make a movie about Oceania and we can all understand what it is we belong to. In the meantime, I'm going to try an experiment - if asked where I'm from I'll say "Oceania", bursting with pride. Lets see if anyone sniggers.
26 February 2007
Thesis titles: colons; attention seeking; in-jokes; and pictures
Our thesis titles are due Thursday. I've been grappling with how to combine the essential ingredients for a winning title with a relatively dry topic - investment rules. A winner needs to combine 1) colon or semi-colon, 2) gratuitous attention seeking language to differentiate from the mountain of turgid rants, 3) subtle in-jokes only decipherable by geeky insiders in your academic sub-field, and 4) appropriate pictures or cartoons. Here is my initial effort with accompanying translation.
Some retreat, no surrender; the application of ‘national interest’ assessments for FDI in the Australian resource sector.
Accompanied by this image:
Some retreat, no surrender romps home on the first three criteria and seamlessly links to the fourth (I'm sure Andy W wouldn't mind). Semi-colon - tick, attention seeking - big tick, in-joke - double tick (a political economy guru once wrote a book called 'the retreat of the state' in which she argued that global companies were diminishing state sovereignty AND she was the head of my LSE department for many years). I reserve the right to change the fourth for fear of being tagged flippant, but I think it could work well. It captures the confusion of the state (played by Elvis) in the face of foreign investment, and the ambiguity that lies within 'national interest assessments. Now for the 9990-odd other words....
Hoorah for Max
My disappointment when Maxine McKew departed the ABC has evaporated under the searingly hot news that she will run for parliament. How fabulous to have such a savvy, intelligent woman added to the mix. And in running for the PM's seat, she redefines political genius. How surreal it will be to watch Howard vs McKew in a baby-kissing competition deep within a suburban shopping centre - life imitates Lateline. Alongside Garrett, the ALP is building a formidable arsenal of notable Australians with serious brain power and community credibility. The rough sketch of an alternative government is taking shape, and it's exciting. There is a long way to the line, but somebody should modernise the 'its time' jingle - because it is.
23 February 2007
Pragmatic idealists unite
Politics is the art of the enlightened trade-off. To define it otherwise would be to paint the world in one-dimension. If my current academic preoccupation is any guide, pretty much everything is linked to pretty much everything else, and the world is rendered complex because of it. In such a world it is impossible to quarantine any issue from its broader context. In this we can find an explanation for Peter Garrett's willingness to counternance US bases in Australia, despite his previously states views. He has prioritised his environmental/social justice concerns over his views on Australia's strategic relationship with the US - pragmatic idealism manifest. I loved Tracee Hutchinson's piece on this issue - HERE - in which she associates a degree of idealism with the decision of most politicians to get involved in politics. There is definately a place in the world for non-pragmatic idealists, but outcomes-based politics demands the occasional compromise. Ce la vie.
If I ever find myself in a lift with Peter Garrett I'll tell him "Sir, you are one of the main reasons I became passionate about politics. Viva the oils." 'Diesel and Dust' did so much to get indigenous issues on our national agenda - to bring the desert into our lounge rooms. I'll never forget an oils concert at the Tennis Centre in which they sang 'beds are burning.' In the middle of the song, as the mulleted many sang 'the time has come, a facts a fact, it belongs to them, lets give it back' Peter Garrett stopped the music, turned the lights on the crowd and yelled "say it like you mean it!" Suddenly a punchy song's familiar lyrics rang out as a profound political statement. It was a stunning use of rock music as a political medium - few there would forget it. There's no contradiction between holding strong views and being involved in politics. In fact, leaving the Peter Garretts out of politics would be a waste of passion and a diminution of the legitimacy of power. So roll on idealists one and all. Pragmatism is ok so long as the flame of idealism burns on.
If I ever find myself in a lift with Peter Garrett I'll tell him "Sir, you are one of the main reasons I became passionate about politics. Viva the oils." 'Diesel and Dust' did so much to get indigenous issues on our national agenda - to bring the desert into our lounge rooms. I'll never forget an oils concert at the Tennis Centre in which they sang 'beds are burning.' In the middle of the song, as the mulleted many sang 'the time has come, a facts a fact, it belongs to them, lets give it back' Peter Garrett stopped the music, turned the lights on the crowd and yelled "say it like you mean it!" Suddenly a punchy song's familiar lyrics rang out as a profound political statement. It was a stunning use of rock music as a political medium - few there would forget it. There's no contradiction between holding strong views and being involved in politics. In fact, leaving the Peter Garretts out of politics would be a waste of passion and a diminution of the legitimacy of power. So roll on idealists one and all. Pragmatism is ok so long as the flame of idealism burns on.
22 February 2007
"The elephant in our rooms"
I've always been sceptical about Timothy's who don't go by Tim - there is something a little too stiff about it. Adding a Professorial title and a double-barelled surname would seem to necessitate a walking stick and monacle. But Professor Timothy Garton-Ash is ok.
His article on the future of capitalism is worth a read - if just for his line about 'manufacturing desire'. Link to it HERE
"Marx thought capitalism would have a problem finding consumers for the goods that improving techniques of production enabled it to churn out. Instead, it has become expert in a new branch of manufacturing: the manufacture of desires. The genius of contemporary capitalism is not simply that it gives consumers what they want but that it makes them want what it has to give. It's that core logic of ever-expanding desires that is unsustainable on a global scale. But are we prepared to abandon it? ."
His article on the future of capitalism is worth a read - if just for his line about 'manufacturing desire'. Link to it HERE
"Marx thought capitalism would have a problem finding consumers for the goods that improving techniques of production enabled it to churn out. Instead, it has become expert in a new branch of manufacturing: the manufacture of desires. The genius of contemporary capitalism is not simply that it gives consumers what they want but that it makes them want what it has to give. It's that core logic of ever-expanding desires that is unsustainable on a global scale. But are we prepared to abandon it? ."
21 February 2007
They train 'em young
One half of a phone conversation six rows in front of me on the 168 bus. Participant: 20-odd, dolled up, big loopy ear-rings and excellent elocution.
"Darling... so naice of you to cawll..... rearlly brilliant.... darling...... darling, families can be so tiresome..... weddings hey..... DID HE?....... oh darling......yes....yes.....yes, you're right darling.....no darling, lets make a decision on that next week....know what i mean?....yes darling, no point rushing it...... so I'll see you next weekend then?..... I suspect we'll jet down on friday darling.... yes, so tiresome.... yes, drama drama....mmmm blah blah blah..... (giggle) ....yes darling....ya....ya....ya ya....ha!.... Fantastic news darling, rearlly fantastic.... kisses darling....ta ra."
"Darling... so naice of you to cawll..... rearlly brilliant.... darling...... darling, families can be so tiresome..... weddings hey..... DID HE?....... oh darling......yes....yes.....yes, you're right darling.....no darling, lets make a decision on that next week....know what i mean?....yes darling, no point rushing it...... so I'll see you next weekend then?..... I suspect we'll jet down on friday darling.... yes, so tiresome.... yes, drama drama....mmmm blah blah blah..... (giggle) ....yes darling....ya....ya....ya ya....ha!.... Fantastic news darling, rearlly fantastic.... kisses darling....ta ra."
20 February 2007
Do we fit in yet?
I stumbled across this description of Australia in my readings on regionalism. Interesting from the perspective of how we view ourselves.
"Australia’s problem is self-evident. ‘Think of a Canada that had been towed away from where it is, and moored off Africa, and the problems of Australia’s physical location become clear’. But looking for Australia two decades later, salvage crews exploring mooring places off the coast of Africa are likely to come up empty-handed. Responding to dynamic economic growth in Asia, then Opposition Leader John Howard appealed to physical and economic geography when he stated that ‘there is no doubt that we are incredibly fortunate that our geography has cast us next to the fastest growing region in the world’. Geography-as-destiny.... ‘Without actually becoming Asian’, Gavan McCormack writes, ‘Australia is struggling to articulate a regional universalism and to become simultaneously post-European and post-Asian, transcending both its own European racial and cultural heritage and any racially or culturally specific Asia’."
Katzenstein (2000)
"Australia’s problem is self-evident. ‘Think of a Canada that had been towed away from where it is, and moored off Africa, and the problems of Australia’s physical location become clear’. But looking for Australia two decades later, salvage crews exploring mooring places off the coast of Africa are likely to come up empty-handed. Responding to dynamic economic growth in Asia, then Opposition Leader John Howard appealed to physical and economic geography when he stated that ‘there is no doubt that we are incredibly fortunate that our geography has cast us next to the fastest growing region in the world’. Geography-as-destiny.... ‘Without actually becoming Asian’, Gavan McCormack writes, ‘Australia is struggling to articulate a regional universalism and to become simultaneously post-European and post-Asian, transcending both its own European racial and cultural heritage and any racially or culturally specific Asia’."
Katzenstein (2000)
Thinkwanks
There is a fine line between think tanks and think wanks. On the one hand enlivened debate with sharp analysts, on the other dreary cliche-fests with balding plodders. Tonight I walked the line. What is it about foreign policy discussions that attracts pompous, opinionated old men who love to float their well rounded vowels across a room, at length. Is it old age that leads them to confuse questions with soap boxes. Not content to enjoy the thoughts on offer they stand, with notes, and deliver a monologue of commentary, a conceptual jungle, swarming with anecdotes, the dropping of names, and a sprinkling of ideas stolen from this week's Economist. One ventures (one does) to suggest that this is the adult equivalent of student union meetings, albeit more tightly managed. Beware think tanks that masquerade as clubs that for the retrospectively fabulous. Humanity doth not advance in such rarefied surrounds.
19 February 2007
Bureaucratic activism - Dr Elbaradei (IAEA)
IAEA Director-General, Dr Mohamed Elbaradei spoke at school today. It's sad that his criticism of the nuclear weapons state's unwillingness to disarm (as required under the 35 year old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) could be described as radical, but that's where the disarmament debate is at. Unusual (and welcome) to see an experienced international bureaucrat willing to stick his neck out to describe the shortcomings of the system, and a pleasant surprise to hear him talk passionately about development as a component of international security - "if we had more Mother Theresa's we'd have less suicide bombers." Here are some of his main points:
- The current security system is not sustainable because it is not equitable. States have legitimate security concerns that need to be met. For example Iran feels threatened by 140,000 US troops in Iraq, quasi-nuclear Israel, nuclear Russia, nuclear Pakistan and a history of regional conflict - these perceived vulnerabilities need to be offset somehow.
- Need an international security system that does not rely on nuclear weapons. So long as one state has them, proliferation will happen. Proliferation is not a technological issue, but a threat perception issue. Proliferants tend to be in unstable regions - the instability is a root cause of proliferation and must be addressed.
- Current peace and security architecture ignores the plight of those less strategically relevant (DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, etc). A new system needs to be based on human security. The individual right to security is entwined with the right to peace, dignity and freedom.
- There is a contradiction between nuclear weapons states modernising their arsenals (eg: UK Trident) while at the same time preaching to nuclear aspirants that nuclear weapons are not the path to their security. What possible use do nuclear weapons states have for 27,000 warheads "short of an alien invasion." Despite the legal obligations under the NPT, the issue needs political resolution.
- The unilateral approach to security is easier ("instant gratification"), but delivers less long-term benefits. Multilateralism is harder but the only way.
- On Iran, engagement is necessary. Sanctions are only one tool and need to be supplemented by direct engagement. "Isolation strengthens the hardliners, engagement empowers the moderates." Need also to deal with the longstanding bilateral grievances between the US and Iran.
- Elbaradei was particularly taken by Bill Clinton's view - Powerful states needs to build a world they would want to live in should they ever cease to be the big guys on the block.
- The current security system is not sustainable because it is not equitable. States have legitimate security concerns that need to be met. For example Iran feels threatened by 140,000 US troops in Iraq, quasi-nuclear Israel, nuclear Russia, nuclear Pakistan and a history of regional conflict - these perceived vulnerabilities need to be offset somehow.
- Need an international security system that does not rely on nuclear weapons. So long as one state has them, proliferation will happen. Proliferation is not a technological issue, but a threat perception issue. Proliferants tend to be in unstable regions - the instability is a root cause of proliferation and must be addressed.
- Current peace and security architecture ignores the plight of those less strategically relevant (DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, etc). A new system needs to be based on human security. The individual right to security is entwined with the right to peace, dignity and freedom.
- There is a contradiction between nuclear weapons states modernising their arsenals (eg: UK Trident) while at the same time preaching to nuclear aspirants that nuclear weapons are not the path to their security. What possible use do nuclear weapons states have for 27,000 warheads "short of an alien invasion." Despite the legal obligations under the NPT, the issue needs political resolution.
- The unilateral approach to security is easier ("instant gratification"), but delivers less long-term benefits. Multilateralism is harder but the only way.
- On Iran, engagement is necessary. Sanctions are only one tool and need to be supplemented by direct engagement. "Isolation strengthens the hardliners, engagement empowers the moderates." Need also to deal with the longstanding bilateral grievances between the US and Iran.
- Elbaradei was particularly taken by Bill Clinton's view - Powerful states needs to build a world they would want to live in should they ever cease to be the big guys on the block.
Dogs that ride
Every city has its quirk. London, it seems, remains committed to its long abandoned agrarian roots; sheepdogs and cattle in pastures green. Only this could explain their penchant for encouraging dogs on public transport. What I had first thought the act of a slightly loopy minority, turns out to be wholly acceptable behaviour.On my bus this morning were two dogs, both fresh from a good mudroll on hampstead heath, sweat-matted coats glistening with stinky droplets, a mere shimmy away from being sprayed across my lower half. Last week, at the peak of the morning rush hour, a man took his alsacian for a ride on the tube. Poor thing was buried beneath the crush of entangled humanity, panting for air. While it can be argued that there is no difference between the mangy armpit of a elderly male tube-rider, and the mangy coat of his dog, I'd argue that there is no difference between a dog and a rooster, or for that matter a cow. I'm a self-professed dog-sceptic, and am often branded strange for failing to enjoy a dog's lick, but this is a case of dogs-as-pseudo-humans gone haywire. Am I alone?
18 February 2007
News from a firehose
Thomas Friedman (whose world is flat) complains that absorbing the output of the ever expanding blogosphere is 'like drinking your news from a firehose.' Great line!
17 February 2007
The webification of talking heads
Our dependence on lateline/BBCworld etc is almost over. Talking heads are coming to your laptop via the web. I was struck by this site http://bloggingheads.tv
Here for example is a link to a dialogue with Francis Fukuyama on the way forward in Iraq
Here for example is a link to a dialogue with Francis Fukuyama on the way forward in Iraq
(http://bloggingheads.tv/video.php?id=199). This type of thing is really exciting for IR geeks (like me) - access to highly influential pontificators at the flick of a switch. This format is the way of the future - the challenge is to sort the wheat from the chaff.
16 February 2007
Funk was born again in Nigeria
Anyone familiar with Femi Kuti (or his daddy Fela 'the Great') would know that funk was reborn in Nigeria. So imagine Femi, coked to his eyeballs, driving his horn section like a mustang convertible - fist-in-the-air stuff! Such was I treated to last night at the Barbican - the 'African rebels tour.' 
Also in the lineup an Algerian group called 'Akli D' (great north african music - a la 'radio tarifa'). But highlight for me was 'Ba Cissoko' - a group of Kora players from Guinea. Just amazing. Check 'em out here www.ba-cissoko.com (you can listen to album samples).
Someone warned me Africa would get under my skin..... moments like this I know they were right. Immersed in soaring rhythmes and cross-hatched melodies I remembered the many sublime moments in southern Africa, the hole it has left, and ways I could revisit it. Praise be to such transformative music.
14 February 2007
On the Obama-Osama-Ohmamamia saga.....
So the world has shrunk. The global and the local are fused. It's always been fair game for federal leaders to diss state governments, and for states to diss the feds, but intercontinental dissing has generally been off-limits (excluding of course the Castro/Chavez/Latham hothead types). Most peculiar then to see the Obama-Howard fishslapping dance. Transcribe it, frame it and put it in the Tate Modern because this my friends is the trippiest piece of performance art I've seen in a while. We've not been treated to such freeform interpretive commentary since PK's 'recalcitrant' call. My more serious sentiments are best captured by The Australian's Geoff Elliot: here.
13 February 2007
Climate change projections
Here is an interesting NY Times article on climate change projections. Worth a read (for those with time to dabble in such things). I always like a de-emotionalised perspective. Gore's film served a purpose, and I'd prefer his 'shock&schmaltz' to 'shock&awe' anyday, but the evil carbon emitters (who kindly make our lights shine at night) are not swayed by schmultz alone. Facts facts facts are the key to winning 'em over. And undistorted ones at that - no place for urban myths even when it rains on a summer day.
9 February 2007
Without direct attribution....
So, clarification of the Chatham House rule:"When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed"). Here are some of the interesting ideas generated in the Middle East meeting.
Firstly, British policy in the Middle East is viewed within the region in the context of its prior imperial activities. Coloniser Britain acted on a civilising mission, driven by British ideals and values. Contemporary efforts are likewise driven by values-based foreign policy (democracy, human rights, etc). The latter bears more than a passing resemblance to the former. Western states need to move away from the presumption that they can 'decide what to do about the middle east'. The contemporary region is less and less amenable to the imposition of external priorities. The old 'hub and spoke' world view is outdated and delusional.
Second, there exists a perception in the Middle East that 'values' of Britain and the US are infused with Christianity - and that western countries lack self-awareness of this. Even if not embodied in the structures of state, Islam is culturally important to middle-eastern countries. The rationalisation of western foreign policy in terms of 'values' can be interpreted as a threat to the place of Islam in society. Democracy is not viewed as a universal value but western, and a trojan horse for westernisation. Further, conservative (not radical) societies support some values (human rights) but not necessarily others (democracy). This value structure is deeply embedded and must be respected.
Finally, policy makers should focus their energies on embedding human rights norms in the middle east (an attainable goal) rather than seeking to impose democracy. Iraq demonstrates that elections and parliaments are not sufficient foundations for stable societies. Further, democracy can serve to legitimise and mainstream radical fringe groups.
Interesting thoughts, appearing here in slimmed down form.
Firstly, British policy in the Middle East is viewed within the region in the context of its prior imperial activities. Coloniser Britain acted on a civilising mission, driven by British ideals and values. Contemporary efforts are likewise driven by values-based foreign policy (democracy, human rights, etc). The latter bears more than a passing resemblance to the former. Western states need to move away from the presumption that they can 'decide what to do about the middle east'. The contemporary region is less and less amenable to the imposition of external priorities. The old 'hub and spoke' world view is outdated and delusional.
Second, there exists a perception in the Middle East that 'values' of Britain and the US are infused with Christianity - and that western countries lack self-awareness of this. Even if not embodied in the structures of state, Islam is culturally important to middle-eastern countries. The rationalisation of western foreign policy in terms of 'values' can be interpreted as a threat to the place of Islam in society. Democracy is not viewed as a universal value but western, and a trojan horse for westernisation. Further, conservative (not radical) societies support some values (human rights) but not necessarily others (democracy). This value structure is deeply embedded and must be respected.
Finally, policy makers should focus their energies on embedding human rights norms in the middle east (an attainable goal) rather than seeking to impose democracy. Iraq demonstrates that elections and parliaments are not sufficient foundations for stable societies. Further, democracy can serve to legitimise and mainstream radical fringe groups.
Interesting thoughts, appearing here in slimmed down form.
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