Marxism and the Concept of a Social Formation: An Immanent Critique of the Views of Jairus Banaji

Jairus Banaji associates the concept of a social formation (involving modal combination, or the articulation of modes of production) with “vulgar Marxism.” This includes both the Marxism of the Second International and the structuralist Marxism of Louis Althusser. Banaji is critical of those Marxists who employ the concept because in his view they are insufficiently sensitive to the complexities of history. His reasons for thinking this may be subjected to an immanent critique. Such a critique attempts to show that, given an argument's starting assumptions, a different (perhaps even the opposite) conclusion from that which is drawn by its author is possible. Applying this idea to the work of Banaji, it can be demonstrated that his rejection of the concept of a social formation is not required by his own theoretical assumptions and that endorsement of the concept is consistent with them.

The Archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula 2

The volume presents the proceedings of the second international workshop on the Archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula. Its subtitle, 'Connecting the evidence', portrayed our striving for investigating relationships and connections between different regions, materials and themes of research. The nine contributions straddle the entire expanse of the Peninsula and beyond, in order to counter the present divide in different academic disciplines. The chronological focus spans from the Pre Pottery Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Ages down to the Islamic Middle Ages. The analyzed themes range from funerary to cultic landscapes, oasis formation and role of metallurgy for desert dwellers in state-of-the-art interdisciplinary perspectives and field case studies.

Preface

Second International Conference for Agricultural Science (ICFAS 2021) presents “The Scientific Research is the Gate to achieve Food Security and Sustainable Development” as the main conference theme. This conference provides a forum for international researchers, academics, practitioners, policymakers and related communities to discuss, share and exchange their latest research and experience progress associated with the field of Biotechnology and modern advanced methods in addressing various environmental problems related to all lands, air, animals, desertification and the green environment. In addition, this conference also aimed to address a common issue of georesources sustainability, renewable energy sources and climate change related geohazard and disasters in the development of urban areas. ICFAS 2021 provides opportunities to all participants in expanding their network collaboration at the regional and international. We invited research papers on the topic of Soil, Water Resources and Dessertification Combat Axis, Horticulture and Plant protection Axis, Field Crops Axis, Farm Machinery, Economic and Agricultural Extention Axis, Biotechnology Axis., geo-environmental engineering and any related geoscience. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation during the year, it is not easy to hold a regular conference in a specific place. There were travel restrictions and regulations from the World Health Organization and the Iraqi Government to be complied with to cut the spread of the COVID-19 virus in terms of physical distancing. In this uncertain condition, the ICFAS should not be postponed since participants have arranged to address their research findings at this conference. Thus, the committees of ICFAS 2021 have decided to switch the conference format into a virtual meeting. The ICFAS 2021 is held online from 29-30 September 2021, Muthanna, Iraq and managed by the University of Al-Muthanna and College of Agriculture. This conference has attracted more than 122 papers submitted to the open conference Submission System. After being reviewed, the scientific committee has selected around 91 papers to be presented at this conference. During the plenary session of the conference, we were pleased to welcome sex distinguished experts to share their experience and present their insightful keynote speech. Participants did their presentations live, engaged throughout plenary, panel discussion and parallel sessions. Feedbacks, comments and questions from participants in all sessions were very positive and constructive. About 91 papers received final decision to be accepted and submitted for publication into the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. We would like to acknowledge all of those who supported the ICFAS 2021. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all scientific committees who made in-depth reviews of full papers, to sponsors who give their support, and to each individual and institutional help that is very important for the success of this conference. Thank you to all the organizing committee and related parties who built this virtual conference feasible and successful. List of List of committees for Second International Conference for Agricultural Science (ICFAS 2021), Tables, Photos, Logos are available in this pdf.