Infrastructural-Innovation Realism in an Age of Collapse

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Geidel ◽  
Patricia Stuelke
Keyword(s):  
Magical Realism ◽  
New Left ◽  
The State ◽  
Underground Railroad ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Utopian Communities ◽  
Displaced People ◽  
Alternative Community

Abstract This article explores a phenomenon of low-level magical realism we call infrastructural-innovation realism. Reversing the formulation identified by Sean McCann and Michael Szalay in their 2005 essay “Do You Believe in Magic? Literary Thinking After the New Left,” in which an earlier generation of left-leaning American writers eschewed engagement with the state in favor of imagining utopian magical communities, these novels rewrite historical events, often catastrophic and violent ones, with the addition of one piece of working magical infrastructure. Here we explore the effects of these magical technological additions in three novels: Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad (2016); Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West (2017); and briefly, César Aira’s Shantytown (2000). Although these effects vary, in these novels, history continues on as violently as ever: together they betray the difficulty in late neoliberalism of even imagining that states will provide working infrastructure, particularly for oppressed and displaced people. At the same time, these novels challenge the idea that imagining utopian communities beyond the state’s orbit constitutes a retreat from politics. Rather, they showcase the difficult, painstaking work of building alternative community in the wake of the state’s many failures and imply the continued necessity of confronting and reimagining the violent state rather than appealing to it.

scholarly journals Transnational Lived Citizenship – The Case of the Eritrean Diaspora

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18
Author(s):  
Tanja R. Müller ◽  
Milena Belloni
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Diaspora Studies ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Everyday Practices ◽  
Key Questions

This special focus section analyses state–diaspora relationships with a focus on the case of Eritrea, a paradigmatic example, as we show in this introduction, to elaborate on the following key questions: What determines loyalty between diaspora and the state? How can we understand the dynamics of co-optation, loyalty, and resistance that characterise many diaspora–state relationships? What is the role of historical events and memory in building alliances as well as divides among different generations and different groups in the diaspora? How do diaspora citizens interpret and enact their citizenship in everyday practices of engagement? By engaging with both citizenship and diaspora studies, this introduction shows the significance of analysing these questions through the lens of “transnational lived citizenship.” This concept enables a look at the intersections between formal aspects of citizenship as well as the emotional and practical aspects related to feelings of belonging, transnational attitudes, and circulation of material cultures.

scholarly journals SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF ANCIENT RUSSIA

2022 ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
Алена Владимировна Искрина
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
The State ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Political Events ◽  
The Social

В статье рассматриваются особенности формирования социальной стратификации Древней Руси на раннем этапе развития, этапы появления различных страт в зависимости от социально-политических событий с X по XII вв. Предметом исследования является процесс образования социальных страт в древнерусском государстве. Цель статьи - рассмотреть социальное устройство Древней Руси, определить и описать стратификацию и взаимодействие страт между собой, историю изучения данного вопроса, политические события, влияющие на данные процессы. Основным вопросом исследования явились исторические события, оказавшие влияние на формирование социальных страт с X по XII вв., появление социальных страт в данный исторический период и формы их взаимодействия. Отвечая на данный вопрос, автор приходит к выводу, что разложение патриархально-общинного строя, формирование феодального вассалитета, принципа майората, княжеской дружины и другие внутриполитические события повлияли на формирование социальных страт государства. В связи с данными историческими событиями удается проследить этапы происхождения социальных слоев населения, их состав, социальные функции в обществе и государстве. The paper examines the features of the social stratification of the Ancient system at an early stage of development, the stages of the emergence of various strata depending on political events from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The subject of this research is the process of the formation of social strata in the ancient European state. The purpose of the publication is to consider the social structure of Ancient Rus, to determine and describe the stratification and interaction of strata with each other, to study this issue, political events that affect these processes. The main research issue was the historical events that influenced the formation of social strata from the 10th to the 12th centuries, the emergence of social strata in a given historical period and the forms of their interaction. Answering this question, the author arrives at the conclusion that the disintegration of the patriarchal-communal system, the formation of a feudal vassalage, the principle of primacy, the princely squad and other internal political events influenced the formation of social strata of the state. In connection with these historical events, it is possible to trace the stages of the origin of social strata of the population, their composition, social functions in society and the state.

scholarly journals TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE PREDICTORS OF VICTIM BEHAVIOR OF YOUNGER SCHOOL CHILDREN

2021 ◽  
pp. 176-184
Author(s):  
Ольга Федоровна Афанасьева
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
The State ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
Readiness To Learn ◽  
Complex Preparation ◽  
The Relationship

Рассматриваются аспекты виктимного поведения младших школьников, связанные с готовностью ребенка к обучению в школе, процессом его адаптации и проявлениями состояния тревожности. Обозначены психологические основания комплексной подготовки к школе и последствия низкого уровня готовности. Описываются результаты исследования, направленного на определение взаимосвязи недостаточной готовности к школе и уровня тревожности, которые могут стать причиной проявления отклоняющегося поведения, в частности виктимности. The aspects of victim behavior of primary schoolchildren are considered, which are connected with the child's readiness to learn at school, the process of his adaptation and manifestations of the state of anxiety. The psychological foundations of complex preparation for school and the consequences of a low level of readiness are outlined. The article describes the results of a study aimed at determining the relationship between insufficient readiness for school and the level of anxiety, which can cause the manifestation of deviant behavior, in particular, victimization.

scholarly journals Design as a Factor in the Development of a Country's Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Gasimova Elfana Nasimi ◽  
Salehzadeh Gulchohra Saleh ◽  
Sugra Ingilab Humbatova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Economic Condition ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
The State ◽  
Single System ◽  
Low Level ◽  
A Priority ◽  
The Impact

Economic development is a priority in the management of any state. The article attempts to consider the impact of design on the economic condition of the country. Additionally, the connection of the country's economy, the development of design and its support from the state is analyzed. Design as a factor in the development of the country's economy is a single system, which implies a whole thread of events. In modern society, in the conditions of the paramount importance of technology in the life of every person, more than ever, it becomes important to have things convenient and practical in use. Today, the design is a strategic tool, the correct use of which leads to success in business. The relevance of the study is caused by a very low level of research on the development aspect of the country's economy - design.

Functional state of immune and endocrinic systems in children of first three months of life with active cytomegalovirus infection

1999 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-207
Author(s):  
A. M. Ozhegov ◽  
N. I. Penkina ◽  
L. S. Myakisheva ◽  
S. V. Maltsev
Keyword(s):  
Functional State ◽  
Cytomegalovirus Infection ◽  
Lymphocyte Subpopulations ◽  
The State ◽  
Cellular Reaction ◽  
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection ◽  
Congenital Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Low Level

The state of immune and endocrinic systems and their relation in children of first three months of life with active cytomegalovirus infection is studied. Significant immunity disorders as cellular reaction dysbalance and humoral link activation are revealed in children with active congenital cytomegalovirus infection. The association of lymphocyte subpopulations with the disease gravity and terms of infecting a child is established. The low level of thyroidin hormone T3 that is the disease gravity criterion is revealed in 1/3 of children.

Cairo: Urban Space, Surveillance and the State

2019 ◽  
pp. 31-72
Author(s):  
Yasmine Ramadan
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Magical Realism ◽  
The State ◽  
The Fantastic ◽  
The Cross ◽  
And Control ◽  
The City ◽  
Literary Techniques

This chapter focuses on the representation of the urban space of Cairo. It examines Sonallah Ibrahim’s Tilka-l-raʾiha (The Smell of it, 1966), Gamal al-Ghitani’s Waqaʾiʿ harat al-Zaʿfarani (The Zafarani Files, 1976), Ibrahim Aslan’s Malik al-hazin (The Heron, 1981), and Radwa Ashour’s, Faraj (Blue Lorries, 2008) reading the novels in opposition to the realist narratives of earlier decades. The shift away from the realist depictions of the urban metropolis as the site of national struggle, or of the alley as the cross-section of Egyptian society, is accompanied by a new representational aesthetics. Through the presentation of the city as the space of incarceration, the reimagination of the alley as a fantastic space, and the turn towards the previously ignored neighborhood of Imbaba, these writers showcase new literary techniques; aspects of magical realism; elements of the fantastic; a turn to hyper-realism, in order to represent the transformation of the urban space of Cairo into one of surveillance and control.

In Nebraska

2008 ◽  
pp. 449-464
Author(s):  
John Roy Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Missouri River ◽  
Small Degree ◽  
The State ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Dred Scott ◽  
Fugitive Slave Law ◽  
Fugitive Slave ◽  
First Time

This chapter details how John Roy Lynch's next station after being relieved from duty in Cuba was Omaha, Nebraska. When he crossed the Missouri River at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Lynch realized that for the first time in his life he had put foot on what may be called historic soil. It was the first time he had been that far west. Lynch had frequently passed through a number of the Western states, but had never before been as far west as the state of Nebraska. As a young man, he had read about the Missouri Compromise, the Dred Scott Decision, the Wilmot Proviso, the Kansas and Nebraska Bill, and the Fugitive Slave Law, all of which contributed in no small degree to what finally culminated in the War of the Rebellion. When Lynch reached the state of Nebraska, therefore, those important historical events were brought vividly to his memory.

‘The State of Us’: Challenging State-Led Narratives through Performance during Ireland’s ‘Decade of Centenaries’

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-159
Author(s):  
Ciara L. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
State Funding ◽  
Tourist Industry ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Easter Rising ◽  
The Arts ◽  
To Come

AbstractIreland is currently at the mid-point of what has been termed The Decade of Centenaries, where citizens, artists, the Irish diaspora, and the tourist industry are encouraged to come together and reflect on the Ireland of one hundred years ago. The years 1912–1922 reflect some of the most significant moments in Ireland’s history, the centerpiece of which is considered to be the 1916 Easter Rising. State-led commemorations of these events have thus far been dominated by narratives around patriotism, nationalism, republicanism, and neoliberalism. There has been little to no state interest in interrogating any significant challenging of the historical events themselves, or indeed any significant exploration of any progress, changes, or diversification that may have emerged since these events. Much of the available state funding in the arts sector has been earmarked for artists to engage specifically with the commemorative schedule, thus restricting the theme of artistic output. This essay analyses how two participatory performances, which took place during the 2016 Dublin Theatre Festival, problematised the state-led narratives and illuminated divergent histories surrounding the 1916 Easter Rising: These Rooms by ANU Productions and CoisCéim Dance Theatre, and It’s Not Over by THEATREclub.

scholarly journals ‘Lean on me': Sifarish, mediation & the digitisation of state bureaucracies in India

Ethnography ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 146613812094075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Chambers
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Systems ◽  
The State ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Muslim Minority ◽  
Indian City

Through an ethnographic focus on Muslim neighbourhoods in a North Indian city, this article traces the effects of increasing digitisation of Public Distribution Systems (PDS) and ID provision in India by examining the implications for relations between the state, low-level political actors and local populaces. The article explores the practice of sifarish (leaning on someone to get something done) which, it is argued, cannot be seen within simplistic rubrics of ‘corruption’ but instead comprises a socially embedded ethical continuum. With one of the stated aims of digitisation being the displacing of informal mediation, the ethnographic material illuminates the efforts of low-level political actors to navigate emerging digital infrastructures. Digitisation, however, does not end mediation and carries with it ideological, political and economic interests. This, the article argues, enables state/people spaces of mediation to be commodified and marketized and further cements processes of marginalisation experienced by India’s Muslim minority.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document