As an internationalist, it is with a sense of envy and confusion that I look upon those who are so proud of their country. It must be quite comforting to know that the nation is an unwavering part of your identity. But then again how limiting it is to not go beyond borders, as some forms of culture and finance have done so successfully.
This is why I do not take much interest in military affairs as it compounds the power of the nation state despite those alliances and regimes people attach a lot of importance to - e.g. the UN or NATO. But take the nation-state out of war for a second, the picture looks to me a little more interesting.
Cyber security
Protecting information and computer systems around the world has become paramount to national security across the world. Since the first proper 'cyber-war' in Estonia in 1997, attacks on government data systems have become more commonplace and threatening in the future. This may not be war as such, but it is one of the striking examples of how warfare is changing.
Drones/robots
Robots will be increasingly sophisticated in the space of our own lifetimes. Although drones are slightly different, it raises many ethical questions about the 'dehumanization' of war. Can an army officer remotely controlling a drone be directly responsible for those innocently killed by a drone they were controlling? To them, they are looking at a screen and pressing the red button to fire their weapons. Not dissimilar to a computer game I suspect. Perhaps there is too much psychological damage from infantry using bayonets in close-combat - such drones would save them from the emotional scars of physically having to kill another.
Private contractors
Possibly one of the most controversial areas of warfare is the hiring of private contractors for different kinds of military and security operations. I wonder if Reagan and Thatcher envisaged this development when they talked of de-regulation... But nevertheless, the traditional sphere of national governments have been replaced in some quarters by private security firms. By winning lucrative government contracts, private security firms have grown considerably in the last decade. Whether their operations have been properly regulated or controlled is another matter altogether. One can only take a quick glance at the Blackwater security firm changing its name to Xe; a great piece of re-branding to wash over scandals.
The developments above mainly concern developed states and do not apply much to war-torn states with less sophisticated means of military conflict. Child soldiers and guerilla warfare are the name of the game in some regions.
But even with this discrepancy between the means available to developed and broken states, it is hard to 'win' a war. It was perhaps bizarre for some to conclude when discussing the Pacific War that Japan were actually the real winners due to its economic transformation after the war. Equally, the real winners of current conflicts may change just as history is re-written in different ways.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Imagination and Frameworks
Blue sky thinking or something a little more practical? People across the world have different processes and motivations in their lives, but many try to contribute towards making the world a better and more interesting place to live. Better and more interesting do not always coincide or overlap quietly, but it is clear that both imagination and frameworks are essential in this fragile relationship between creativity and practice.
Imagination
There are countless examples, but here I choose to focus on the infinity of the universe. Despite the Cold War background of the Space Race, for many people it opened up a huge realm of possibility about our planet and the rest of space. With 21st century technology, commercial trips offered by Virgin Galactic will soon make it possible for ordinary souls (with a bit of money) to enter space. Private enterprise is on the cusp of entering space. The longstanding TV series, Thunderbirds, was inspired by the possibility of man in space.
Space has further advanced the study of science, especially in the area of physics. The CERN Hadron Collider for example, has made the ongoing search for the Higg's Boson become a holy grail regularly discussed outside merely scientific circles.
But it seems most of our interests lie close to concerns a little closer to earth. Despite the physicality of sculpture, this mode of art has strived to reconceptualise our notions of art, and by extension the notion of ourselves. Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure" is an outstanding example of the power of sculpture in re-imagining ourselves.
The flowing figure tells us of the human being's fluidity. Although not directly linked to Sartre, its post-WWII background is evident in its assertion of the individual. Looking at the sculpture, you can interpret the smooth lines and curious arcs as you want. Thus you can also decide what you are yourself, without anyone telling you otherwise. It was also Moore's attempt to return to art's "pre-cultural", "pre-rational" origins. To imagine this in sculpture is exceptional.
Frameworks
Development - there are an abundance of theories which population development studies, with many focusing on economics. Development economics is not within my understanding, but on the basic level of reconstructing countries from the debris of war and conflict, there are a few essentials.
One fundamental issue which is regularly misunderstood is institutions. Without the right institutions, a modern state cannot function. All these quite boring things such as the civil service, 'bureaucracy', army, national banks, courts and tax authorities - must be competent and accountable. Then can follow schools, hospitals and other aspects of welfare. Becoming 'institutionalised' has now become the way to say that you are 'no longer cool', but in the aspect of developing a modern state, it is both the 'hard' and 'soft' institutions which must be established in a developing country.
It is particularly interesting the re-building of some parts of Afghanistan that policing and rule of law have been emphasised in priority of development aid. No water pumps or generators just yet; "stabilization" seems to be the buzzword.
Despite the occasional tedium of the law, any legal system should protect basic rights of individuals - something that a number of emerging economies are dragging their feet on. This will gradually become a pressing issue for many countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa - how to establish rule of law.
And finally, everyone's best enemy - free market capitalism. It is perhaps quite telling that only 30% in France agree that the free-market system is the best. Perhaps a German-based stakeholder model is better, or an economy with heavy state involvement. While I am not in the Chicago School of thought, I maintain that markets which are transparent and relatively free are important. The brutal number-crunching that accompanies the least-worst option that the West have chosen should not be accompanied by exploitation or abuse of the system - as is regrettably common in the modern age.
This is why a lot of work has been done following the ideas of Ronald Coase. Institutions, regulations and legal systems can make a fundamental difference in the way in which a free market model can work. This is none more so demonstrated when an absence of law means cynicism of capitalism ensues. The most prominent recent example is the debacle which has become BP's supposed tie-up with Russian oil giant Rosneft, and its continuing litigation with its joint venture partners in TNK-BP. Corruption and closed-door deals should not have a place in any kind of economics.
Politics
Sadly elite politics can get in the way of these imagination and frameworks, but for the personal politics that involve us, it is what spurs our contributions to the world.
Imagination
There are countless examples, but here I choose to focus on the infinity of the universe. Despite the Cold War background of the Space Race, for many people it opened up a huge realm of possibility about our planet and the rest of space. With 21st century technology, commercial trips offered by Virgin Galactic will soon make it possible for ordinary souls (with a bit of money) to enter space. Private enterprise is on the cusp of entering space. The longstanding TV series, Thunderbirds, was inspired by the possibility of man in space.
Space has further advanced the study of science, especially in the area of physics. The CERN Hadron Collider for example, has made the ongoing search for the Higg's Boson become a holy grail regularly discussed outside merely scientific circles.
But it seems most of our interests lie close to concerns a little closer to earth. Despite the physicality of sculpture, this mode of art has strived to reconceptualise our notions of art, and by extension the notion of ourselves. Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure" is an outstanding example of the power of sculpture in re-imagining ourselves.
The flowing figure tells us of the human being's fluidity. Although not directly linked to Sartre, its post-WWII background is evident in its assertion of the individual. Looking at the sculpture, you can interpret the smooth lines and curious arcs as you want. Thus you can also decide what you are yourself, without anyone telling you otherwise. It was also Moore's attempt to return to art's "pre-cultural", "pre-rational" origins. To imagine this in sculpture is exceptional.
 |
| Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure" |
Frameworks
Development - there are an abundance of theories which population development studies, with many focusing on economics. Development economics is not within my understanding, but on the basic level of reconstructing countries from the debris of war and conflict, there are a few essentials.
One fundamental issue which is regularly misunderstood is institutions. Without the right institutions, a modern state cannot function. All these quite boring things such as the civil service, 'bureaucracy', army, national banks, courts and tax authorities - must be competent and accountable. Then can follow schools, hospitals and other aspects of welfare. Becoming 'institutionalised' has now become the way to say that you are 'no longer cool', but in the aspect of developing a modern state, it is both the 'hard' and 'soft' institutions which must be established in a developing country.
It is particularly interesting the re-building of some parts of Afghanistan that policing and rule of law have been emphasised in priority of development aid. No water pumps or generators just yet; "stabilization" seems to be the buzzword.
Despite the occasional tedium of the law, any legal system should protect basic rights of individuals - something that a number of emerging economies are dragging their feet on. This will gradually become a pressing issue for many countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa - how to establish rule of law.
And finally, everyone's best enemy - free market capitalism. It is perhaps quite telling that only 30% in France agree that the free-market system is the best. Perhaps a German-based stakeholder model is better, or an economy with heavy state involvement. While I am not in the Chicago School of thought, I maintain that markets which are transparent and relatively free are important. The brutal number-crunching that accompanies the least-worst option that the West have chosen should not be accompanied by exploitation or abuse of the system - as is regrettably common in the modern age.
This is why a lot of work has been done following the ideas of Ronald Coase. Institutions, regulations and legal systems can make a fundamental difference in the way in which a free market model can work. This is none more so demonstrated when an absence of law means cynicism of capitalism ensues. The most prominent recent example is the debacle which has become BP's supposed tie-up with Russian oil giant Rosneft, and its continuing litigation with its joint venture partners in TNK-BP. Corruption and closed-door deals should not have a place in any kind of economics.
Politics
Sadly elite politics can get in the way of these imagination and frameworks, but for the personal politics that involve us, it is what spurs our contributions to the world.
Culture v. Politics Round x
The x in the title should be an x, denoting that this is an eternal debate discussed for centuries. This is my own minute comment on this topic.
My focus here is on museums in China, which have come into existence just as fast as the country's economic boom. With the current Chinese Communist Party's uneasy relationship with history, it is with widespread interest that one sees the construction and curation of museums in China.
It is important to note that museums as a concept is a Western idea, which expressed power, civilization and education. It was open specifically for the public to learn and be in awe of the displays and artefacts on display. A powerful tool and permanent place of learning if there ever was one.
Thus it is with these considerations in mind, that we curiously look at the newly renovated National Museum of China in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Having recently re-opened, it displays the vulnerability of the ruling party about the past and how it should be narrated and presented. As a New York Times article states:
"It is also an example of how China finds it difficult to create cultural institutions that prove equal to its economic achievements."
Culture, as Habermas has traditionally put it, is all about a public sphere, which the public are essentially in control of. Although his concept has been rubbished to varying degrees, it is clear that the Chinese government has struggled to back away from Chinese culture developing its natural course.
The socialist aesthetics of the Soviet era are still prevalent in many of China's museums. The stark columns, the clean and geometric lines. And not to forget the sheer size of the museums themselves - the new National Museum is supposedly the biggest in floor area in the world.
But in terms of museums as an institution, they have always received significant public support and funding, especially in the U.K. Perhaps there is some implicit politicisation of museums in 'liberal democratic' countries too.
It is worth thinking twice when you next enter into a museum. Its architecture, atmosphere, design and perhaps its implicit politics. The study of museology - of which I knew little until a year ago - has developed in many different ways in the last 50 years, for example with the rise of 'eco-museums'. If ever there was a clash between culture and politics, the museum would definitely be a suitable venue.
See relevant link:
New York Times article on the National Museum of China
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)