Democracy's Performance

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Strong Support ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Struggle ◽  
North Americans ◽  
The World ◽  
To Come ◽  
City State ◽  
The City

McKenzie asks, “If the ancient Greeks invented democracy in the form of the city-state, and colonial North Americans reinvented it in the nation-state, what democratic forms might the world create in the age of global performance?” He explores this question in relation to the thought of Nietzsche and Marcuse—and in terms of “dissatisfied democrats”: people who strongly believe in democracy but are unhappy with its particular embodiments. Could it be that democracy is an inherently incomplete project, one that is always “to come,” always being invented, always being tested and contested, always being asked to perform? The Electronic Disturbance Theater demonstrates how the Internet can be used to facilitate social and political engagement and protest. Dubbed “virtual Zapatistas” because of its strong support for the liberation movement in Mexico and throughout Latin America, EDT's actions combine the political struggle for indigenous self-determination with a critique of neoliberalism aka globalization. In the articles and interview that follow, EDT's origins, development, and ongoing actions are examined. You are invited to participate.

THE RAIN MIRACLE OF MARCUS AURELIUS: (RE-)CONSTRUCTION OF CONSENSUS

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
IDO ISRAELOWICH
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
The Political ◽  
Roman Army ◽  
Religious Policy ◽  
Marcus Aurelius ◽  
Religious Issues ◽  
The World ◽  
To Come ◽  
The City ◽  
Great Danger

IntroductionThe reign of Marcus Aurelius, although he was acclaimed by ancient and modern commentators as an exemplary ruler, saw many calamities. Marcus was preoccupied with wars for the better part of his reign; the pestilence brought back to Rome from the east by Verus and the Roman army remained endemic in the city for many years to come, and the German wars from the late 160s well into the next decade posed great danger to Rome and caused great anxiety. In addition, a coup was executed. The usurper, Avidius Cassius, was the ruler of the Roman East for three months, enjoying support amongst the local population. After Verus’ death, the emperor embarked on war against the German tribes, but not before summoning priests and magicians from all over the world to help him, many of whom came from provinces far and wide. This attentiveness of Marcus Aurelius to religious issues (the representation of religious themes on his coins and monuments and his religious policy as a whole) introduced some changes to the Roman imperial tradition. Moreover his adaptation of policies that reflected new beliefs and the abandonment of old ones, was indicative of the political, social, and cultural developments during his reign. The desperation of the emperor is made most visible in the pages of Lucian’s Alexander.

scholarly journals What Was It? (Preliminary Reflection on Khabarovsk Rallies)

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (99) ◽  
pp. 108-136
Author(s):  
L.E. Bliakher ◽  
A.V. Kovalevsky
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Information Space ◽  
Political Agency ◽  
The Political ◽  
The World ◽  
Political Agent ◽  
To Come ◽  
The City ◽  
Good Leader

The Khabarovsk protest has been going on for months: first, it suddenly made headlines of the world media and then it was pushed to the periphery of the information space. The predictions about the protest fading away stubbornly refuse to come true. Maybe not tens of thousands as it was earlier, but thousands of city residents still take to the streets. Moreover, tension, uncertainty, and discontent persist in the air. Dozens of articles and many reports have been written about Khabarovsk, and even a full-length docu mentary has been released. Nevertheless, the question remains: why did the population of the city, who for decades preferred to distance themselves from any government’s initiatives, all of a sudden switched to a strategy of protest? What part of this situation is unique to Khabarovsk, and where do we observe more general patterns? This article is devoted to finding answers to these questions. Having examined the main facets of the events unfolding in Khabarovsk, L.Bliakher and A.Kovalevsky come to the conclusion that these events are about the most important political phenomenon — formation of the political agency of the population that for many years has been reduced to the position of an object. In the case of Khabarovsk, residents started to perceive themselves as a political agent after the 2018 protest voting. In this situation, people began to view the ex-governor of the Khabarovsk region not so much as a good — or not very good — leader, but rather as a symbol of acquiring political agency, which became a key element of regional identification, formation of the local community. That is why his arrest was perceived by the residents of the region as a personal insult. And it is their identity that they defend on the streets of Khabarovsk.

Comedy and the Athenian Ideal

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Konstan
Keyword(s):  
American Democracy ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
The World ◽  
Hollywood Movies ◽  
Hellenistic World ◽  
City State ◽  
The City ◽  
New Comedy ◽  
A Performance

New Comedy was a Panhellenic phenomenon. It may be that a performance in Athens was still the acme of a comic playwright’s career, but Athens was no longer the exclusive venue of the genre. Yet Athens, or an idealized version of Athens, remained the setting or backdrop for New Comedy, whatever its provenance or intended audience. New Comedy was thus an important vehicle for the dissemination of the Athenian polis model throughout the Hellenistic world, and it was a factor in what has been termed ‘the great convergence’. The role of New Comedy in projecting an idealized image of the city-state may be compared to that of Hollywood movies in conveying a similarly romanticized, but not altogether false, conception of American democracy to populations around the world.

From Hospitality to Hostility: Ibadan and Strangers, 1830–1904

1985 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Falola
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
The Political ◽  
Colonial Rule ◽  
Open Door ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Open Door Policy ◽  
Political Crises ◽  
City State ◽  
The City

The view that Ibadan society in the nineteenth century did not discriminate against strangers, irrespective of their origins in Yorubaland, is now firmly entrenched in the literature. To be sure, Ibadan, a new nineteenth-century Yoruba city-state, founded as a consequence of the political crises of the early decades of the century, did maintain an ‘open door’ policy to strangers, many of whom went there as adventurers, craftsmen and traders, hoping to acquire wealth and fame. This article, however, controverts the view that Ibadan society gave the strangers and the indigenes equal opportunities to wealth and power. It argues that all the key political offices went only to the Oyo-Ibadan group which dominated the city-state. Strangers were also not allowed to participate fully in the leading heights of the economy, with the result that most of the wealthy citizens were also of Oyo-Yoruba origin.In the 1890s discrimination against strangers was such that a number of moves were made to expel them. However, the British, who imposed colonial rule on Ibadan in 1893, were against the expulsion of strangers.

Municipal Government in 1917: against the Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks (Based on Materials of Yaroslavl and Kostroma Governorates)

2021 ◽  
pp. 156-174
Author(s):  
Yuliya Krasovskaya ◽  
Dmitriy Khristenko
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Government ◽  
The Political ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Political Struggle ◽  
Soviet Government ◽  
City Councils ◽  
Food Shortages ◽  
Democratic Elections ◽  
The City ◽  
Revolutionary Period

The article discusses activities of municipal government in the inter-revolutionary period andtheir relationship with the Provisional Government and the Bolshevik’s Soviets on the example of Yaroslavl and Kostroma Gover-norates. As a result of democratic elections in the city councils, the majority in-cluded representatives of moderate socialist parties such as the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries. Based on the analysis of archival sources, the au-thors investigate the ways and methods of the urban socialist self-government’s activities in the context of a comprehensive crisis. In both governorates, munici-palities were unable to solve any of the pressing problems vital to the population like food shortages, public order, and the functioning of the urban economy. Their main concern was the political struggle and confrontation between repre-sentatives of various factions on issues far from the area of their direct respon-sibility. By their activity, and in other cases by inaction, they firstly acted actu-ally against the Provisional Government, and then against the Soviets. The inability to justify hopes in resolving key problems caused the loss of credibility in the eyes of the citizens and the Soviet government. As a result, the city coun-cils became unnecessary to both of them.

scholarly journals Internet Control and Auto-regulation in Singapore

2002 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence Lee
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Contested Space ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Liberal Democratic ◽  
Internet Control ◽  
The World ◽  
City State ◽  
The City ◽  
Economic Development Strategies

This paper sets out to consider the use of new media technologies in the city-state of Singapore, widely acknowledged as one of the most technologically-advanced and networked societies in the world. Singapore is well-known as a politically censorious and highly-regulated society, which has been subjected to frequent and fierce insults and criticisms by those hailing from liberal democratic traditions. Indeed, much has been said about how the Singapore polity resonates with a climate of fear, which gives rise to the prevalent practice of self-censorship. This paper examines how certain groups in Singapore attempt to employ the Internet to find their voice and seek their desired social, cultural and political ends, and how the regulatory devices adopted by the highly pervasive People Action's Party (PAP) government respond to and set limits to these online ventures whilst concomitantly pursuing national technological cum economic development strategies. It concludes that the Internet in Singapore is a highly contested space where the art of governmentality, in the forms of information controls and 'automatic' modes of regulation, is tried, tested, and subsequently perfected.

scholarly journals WADAH KOMUNITAS DAN REKREASI SEBAGAI RUANG KE - 3 DENGAN URBAN AKUPUNTUR METODE MENGHIDUPKAN DAN MENGEMBALIKAN CITRA PASAR BARU

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1427
Author(s):  
Stephen Stephen ◽  
Franky Liauw
Keyword(s):  
Shopping Center ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Urban Spatial Structure ◽  
Social Culture ◽  
Shopping Area ◽  
The World ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

At present the activity of buying and selling/trading has been developing rapidly for decades. The growth of new malls spread throughout Jakarta. Making Jakarta the city with the largest and most shopping center in the world, with more than 173 malls. Coupled with the help of technology, an online shop platform has emerged that makes it easy for visitors to shop without having to come to the store. With the help of electronic media tools such as tablets or Smartphones. Nowadays, malls are not only a place to shop but also a place for recreation, socializing, or just for a walk alone. The progress of technology and human culture is changing. It's one of the factors that influence the impact of the decline in visitors at the old shopping center, every year such as a Pasar Baru shopping center. Re-Imagine Pasar Baru is a project that aims as a motor/propeller for Pasar Baru Community. Inviting the local people and Shop Owners to take part in making a change. Through a new program that strengthens unity and diversity to bring the conciseness cooperation (Gotong-royong) attitude that has been lost with the development of the times. Creating a place where people can socialize and interact, get closer, get to know each other, and also as a means of recreation for residents, visitors, shop owners, and also this project hopes to bring the Pasar Baru shopping area to life. Through the Urban Acupuncture method by analyzing the needs, potentials, deficiencies, demographics, ecology, etc. that characterize the Pasar Baru area. Where it can present a new program, and produce small-scale changes, but social catalytic intervention into the urban spatial structure. In physical and social-culture in Pasar Baru. Keywords: Community; Gotong Royong; Pasar Baru; Recreation; Urban Acupuncture  AbstrakSaat ini aktivitas Jual-beli/perdagangan sudah berkembang pesat selama beberapa dekade. Tumbuhnya mall-mall baru tersebar di seluruh Jakarta. Menjadikan Jakarta sebagai kota dengan pusat perbelanjaan terbanyak dan terbesar di dunia, dengan lebih dari 173 mall. Ditambah dengan bantuan teknologi, platform online shop memudahkan pengunjung untuk berbelanja tanpa perlu datang ke toko. Dengan bantuan alat media elektronik seperti tablet atau Smartphones. Saat ini, mall bukan hanya menjadi tempat untuk berbelanja melainkan menjadi tempat rekreasi, bersosialisasi, atau hanya sekedar untuk jalan-jalan semata. Kemajuan teknologi serta budaya manusia yang berubah, merupakan salah satu faktor yang berpengaruh terhadap dampak penurunan pengunjung di pusat perbelanjaan lama setiap tahunnya, seperti pusat perbelanjaan Pasar Baru. Re-Imagine Pasar Baru Merupakan proyek yang bertujuan sebagai motor / pengerak daerah Pasar Baru. Mengajak masyarakat dan para pedagang untuk ikut andil dalam melakukan suatu perubahan. Lewat program yang mempererat kesatuan dan persatuan guna memunculkan sikap gotong royong yang sudah hilang seiring berkembangnya zaman. Menciptakan tempat dimana warga dapat bersosialisasi dan berinteraksi, mendekatkan, saling mengenal satu sama lain dan juga sebagai sarana rekreasi warga lokal, dan proyek ini berharap dapat menghidupkan kawasan perbelanjaan Pasar Baru. Lewat metode Urban Acupunture yaitu dengan menganalisis kebutuhan, potensi, kekurangan, demografi, ekologi yang menjadi ciri khas dari kawasan Pasar Baru. Dimana dapat menghadirkan suatu program baru, dan menghasilkan perubahan skala kecil, tetapi intervensi katalitik sosial ke dalam tatanan ruang kota. Bukan hanya sekedar bentuk fisik, tetapi juga berdampak pada sosial dan budaya Kawasan Pasar Baru sendiri. 

Managing Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka through Constitutional Arrangements

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Ilam Khan
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Ethnic Conflict ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Struggle ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Political Liberalization ◽  
History Of

Marginalization causes conflicts; they may be political, social, or economic. A careful contemplation over the history of Sri Lanka reveals that the sentiments of being marginalized have been present — in one (ethnic) group or the other — in the island right from its independence. When the majority ethnic group, i.e., the Sinhala, was in a position of power, it manipulated the constitution of the country to safeguard its own interests. This widened the rift among different ethnic and religious groups, especially between the Sinhala and the Tamil. This structural marginalization resulted in a civil war, starting in 1983, that lasted for 26 years. However, the ethnic conflict did not resolve even after the end of the civil war and continues to exist in the form of a political struggle between the Tamil and Sinhala. The Tamil demand for federation, autonomy, inclusion, and self-determination can only be achieved through constitutional means. Therefore, this research evaluates the post-Civil Warconstitutional development and amendment processes that were, at a point in time, more pluralistic and liberal, and contributing well to managing the ethnic conflict in the country. It was expected that the ethnic conflict would be permanently resolved through the constitutional arrangements, which Sri Lanka was already heading. However, the majority (Sinhala) reversed the progress through a new (20th) amendment to the constitution. Against this backdrop, this article argues that all segments of the society can be accommodated in the political sphere of the state through political liberalization which is possible only through constitutional arrangements.

'We got the power!' The political potential of street choirs

Soundings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (73) ◽  
pp. 129-143
Author(s):  
Campaign Choirs Writing Collective
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Struggle ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
The World ◽  
Oral History Interviews

Song has the power to express a social truth and is consistently employed in actions across the world in solidarity with political struggle. This article discusses the campaigning work of the Campaign Choirs Network, a UK network of radical political choirs, whose story is founded on diverse solidarities and a commitment to singing as a means of emotional engagement and pedagogy. The network has conducted a participatory action research programme, including oral history interviews with 42 members of 11 street choirs, exploring members' life-course activism and their utopian imaginaries. As one aspect of their research, the authors sought to more fully understand the emotions that song and singing release, and the connections that can then be made between people – in order to find out more about the nature of the power of song and the political possibilities of such connections. Drawing extensively on the interviews, this article discusses the political and pedagogic possibilities of the emotions released through singing.

Cities of Refuge, Rebel Cities, and the City to Come

2019 ◽  
pp. 253-271
Author(s):  
Giovanna Borradori
Keyword(s):  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Symbolic Capital ◽  
Political Agency ◽  
The Political ◽  
Shared Experience ◽  
The Core ◽  
Political Transformations ◽  
Urban Contexts ◽  
To Come ◽  
The City

As the processes of globalization transform cities into nodes of accumulation of financial and symbolic capital, it is fair to assume that urban contexts have never been more vulnerable to the systemic imperatives of the market. It is thus surprising that cities continue to be the site where the deepest social and political transformations come to the surface. What, then, preserves the city as a space of dissent? The claim of this chapter is that a critical reflection on the political agency of Northern and Southern cities has to start from asking what it means today to occupy the pavement of their streets. The argument explored here is that, in this age of molecular neoliberal encroachment and restructuring, it is a certain experience of dispossession, rather than the quest for identification and recognition, that makes the city the core of a shared experience of refuge and resistance.

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