Organic Solidarity: A Myth?

I read about Emile Durkheim's concept of organic solidarity in a sociology subject I took last semester. It postulates that societies with a high division of labour and specialisation will develop a sense of solidarity based on mutual dependence. Looking at the world today and, for that matter, of yesteryear, I doubt that organic solidarity is a valid concept.

Beck's Risk Society on a Global Scale

The challenge of voting in today's world

This informal article is inspired by numerous ideas I have acquired through my Jr. College and 1^st Year University education. It applies epistemology, anthropology, sociology, and globalisation studies to understand and address two contemporary problems.

In his book Risk Society, Ulrich Beck notes that modernisation has produced many hazards and risks characteristic of the 20^th and 21^st Century. Two major problems are especially pertinent today:

1. Climate Change and 

2. Economic Collapse

These two problems are truly global in scale. Their impact is or will be felt across the world regardless of borders and their solutions necessarily involve concerted, multilateral action. The unilateral actions of single nations or political blocs cannot conclusively solve these problems. However, concerned voters find it difficult to make informed decisions about these issues due to its specialist nature. Only select government agencies, NGOs, industry experts and academic communities possess the technical knowledge to thoroughly assess and address these problems. Voters’ relative ignorance compromises their ability to cast sound votes and make informed choices through the democratic process and, even if they do, such unilateral action does not solve the problem because concerted multilateral action is lacking. In light of these issues, it seems that national democratic processes cannot cope with the demands of global problems.

'Colour Coding' is Skin Deep

A University of Melbourne Final Essay Assignment

Under the Freshman Sociology subject "Understanding Society"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

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By Benjamin L.C.Y., written during Semester 1, 2011


BEST FIRST YEAR ESSAY


 Melbourne University Arts Students' Society (M-ASS)


Annual Essay Competition 2011


in conjunction with National Australia Bank (NAB)

Tutor's Comments - Dr. Jackson, I.:

Ben, this essay presents an integrated and nuanced overview of the situation with a strong technique and structure. All the technical aspects are good. If anything, the essay could be strengthened by more explicit use of theory in analysis of the role that stereotyping plays, eg. as explored by Goffman, Mead, Cooley and others, and by investigation of the nature and basis of race and ethnicity as constructions. As it is, it is an elegantly written essay that describes [the] key aspects associated with the topic but it doesn't have much 'bite'; perhaps explicit indication of scenario outcomes via statistics of incarcerations [eg. 'Stolen Generations' in Australia], inter-racial marriages etc., thus to ensure it reads clearly as an academic essay rather than an op-piece. Nevertheless, this essay indicates your deep understanding of issues related to the topic nd its overall location within the academic discipline.

Racial Stereotyping - "Colour Coding"

It's automatic.

Or so says Jones & Fazio (2010) in "Person Categorization and Automatic Stereotyping Effects on Weapon Identification". It was published in the Personality and Psychology Bulletin, 36(8), pg 1073-1085. The corresponding author is attached to the psychology department of the Ohio State University.

Stereotypes are cognitive representations of categories of people and their associated attributes. In the absence of individuating information, they allow us to 'predict' others' actions (ibid). I'm not sure if stereotyping really corresponds to action prediction, but I do know that under certain situations, even the most liberal and cosmopolitan people will make that mistake.

Edward Said, "The Myth of the Clash of Civilizations"

Fukuyama: "The Rest learns from the West. History happily ever after."

Huntington: "No no no, Western Civilisation clashes against the Islamic & Confucian!"

Said: "Yew gents have GOT to be kidding me..."

A 4 part video series on Edward Said's lecture on Samuel Huntington's essay and book on the "Clash of Civilizations," at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1996).

Videos posted by Youtube user mjerryson, 2008.


Quotable quotes:
1. "I think it's the age of [cultural] definitions"
2. The End of History thesis was "really the End of Fukuyama"


For a counter-argument of Fukuyama's thesis, see here.




The Civilisation Fallacy
I find that Said's critique is spot-on. Within each of Huntington's civilisational groupings (e.g. Islamic/Confucian), much 'intra-civilisation' conflict occurs. For example, the South/North Korean alignment with the USA/PRC, or the PRC/Taiwan divide, or even history of Sino-Japanese relations provide ample evidence indicating that a civilisational grouping might be Huntington's invention rather than empirical fact.


Such divides are also found in the 'Islamic World'. For one, Islamic UAE seems to enjoy good economic ties with the USA in spite of anti-American rhetoric by Iran's Khomeini et. al.. Past wars between Iran and Iraq or Iraq and Kuwait demonstrates that nations with similar cultures are far from unitary civilisations. Even in their commonalities - here being Islam - sectarian divisions are rife (e.g. Sunni vs Shi'ite sects). Indeed, this particular division was one of the casus belli for the Iran-Iraq war.




Understated Commonalities
Despite all the cultural differences that prevail after centuries of global trade and politics, one thing remains unchanged: global trade. Today, every country speaks the language of capitalism, whether explicitly or clothed in 'socialist' rhetoric (e.g. mainland China, where capitalism wears a "red dress"). Huntington and Fukuyama speak of civilisations and West-&-Rest dichotomies but, to my knowledge, skirt around the fact that we are all connected to the global economy.


Given the common currency of capitalism, Immanuel Wallerstein's "World Systems Theory" that divides nations according to their ability to exploit others or be exploited seems to be more relevant to our age. It is obvious that some countries are wealthier than others - it is why this occurs that remains controversial. The neoliberal position blames it on excessive government intervention in perfectible market dynamics, Keynesians might blame it on insufficient regulation/stimulation, while neocolonials might focus on Dependency Theory instead. These issues appear to be more salient divisors than culture, and the quest for market stability and global equality provides a common goal that transcends cultural differences.


The only problem is... who's point of view is correct? Which nations are to blame? Should the Developed world provide aid to the Developing? Should the developing world help itself out? What is the role of economic theory and, heaven forbid, will theoretical inaccuracies produce another disastrous Washington Consensus and bankrupt the developing world?


These are the issues on the news and in parliaments everywhere, including global parliaments. We do not hear Presidents, Ayatollahs and other world leaders fighting over cultural polemic very often: economic issues are the issues that global politics concerns itself with.


Terrorism might be cited as a counter-argument, but this is perpetuated by a minority rather whole nations or civilisations. I say this because a conflict of civilisations would involve open war as a more effective means of dealing destruction rather than petty acts of guerilla terror that target nations easily recover from. Indonesian moved on from the Bali bombings, the USA from the 9-11 Episode. Aside from stricter security measures, their internal political institutions and practices remain unfazed. If a clash of civilisations were to occur, these petty acts of terror are but a stone's throw against an armoured tank (think Israeli-Palestinian Intifada). A scratch on the paint job, nothing significantly debilitating in the long run.


Clash of Civilisations? Perhaps a "Clash of Economies" is a more appropriate aphorism for the 21st Century... or perhaps it's too early to tell. After all, we're just past the 1st decade of this Millennium.

The Beginning of History?

Global Winds & Local Waves

Part 5 of 5

A University of Melbourne Edublog assignment

under the Freshman subject "Globalisation"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

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8 Oct 2010, 9:55 PM by Benjamin L** C.Y. (Last edited: 8 Oct 2010, 9:55 PM)

For my final post, I'd like to make an observation. While I lack the knowledge to argue this fully, the past century has revealed a new trend worthy of closer study.

Fukuyama's (1989) controversial article "The End of History" studies the proliferation of the "Western Idea" - defined as the fundamental principles of capitalism and democracy - across the world. He substantiates his argument by observing historical trends. This retrospective method reveals something else. History has moved on since Fukuyama's writing and I'd like to postulate a new trend: Federalism.

The 20th Century has seen an increase in the number of global crises and institutions created to address them. Some of these institutions are:

League of Nations            1920 – 1935

INTERPOL                       1923 – present

Bretton Woods System    1944 – 1971

IMF                                  1944 – present 

United Nations                 1945 – present

GATT                               1947 – 1995

WTO                                1995 – present

These are truly global because they (1) explicitly make themselves a body for all nations to participate (at least in theory), (2) have an explicit purpose that transcends geopolitical boundaries. Membership in these organisations implies that nations are not completely distinct sovereign states but members of a federal structure, complete with the entailing rights and responsibilities. In my opinion, this willingness to subsume themselves under a greater structure is a response to the new challenges of this age that undeniably require collective, coordinated multilateral action. Some major examples of these events are:

WWI                                       1914 – 1918

The Great Depression            1929 – 1940

WWII                                     1940 – 1945        

The Cold War                         1945 – 1991

Asian Financial Crisis            1997 - ?

Global Financial Crisis           2007 - ?

Terrorism                               Concurrent

Global Warming                     Concurrent

Flu Pandemics (e.g. H1N1)      Periodic

These are problems can easily spread across the world but are too great for single nations to resolve and necessarily require international cooperation in some form. As problems like global warming and terrorism do not appear to have ready solutions, I believe that this trend of creating and participating in federal, supranational federal organisations is likely to go on for many years to come. Perhaps this is end of histories as separate nations and the beginning of a new, federal chapter in human history.

Posted in #29 Fri 11am (Alice Hoy 323)

3 responses to: "The Beginning of History?"

Aleisha V** S******* wrote:


Fri, 8 Oct 2010, 10:22 PM



I am so thankful to discover someone with an argument against Fukuyama's theory, no one in my tute was willing to assert anything against it. Federalism is a fantastic example of an ideology with support and momentum, the UN, the EU etc. This multilateral approach through global federalism has possibility for gaining increasng support, as political issues are becoming increasingly global. However, this theory does not undermine liberal democracy, liberal democratic states are members of these global institutions without undermining their current political ideology. I would like to think that in the future we will witness a new global political theory that will allow for ideological upheaval that proliferates across the globe.


Michael C***** wrote: 


Sat, 9 Oct 2010, 1:50 PM


Great post, Ben. And also a great comment, Aleisha. 
I love a grand declaration, so on that level I admire Fukuyama’s thesis. He was framing is his argument with a Cold War audience in mind. The Cold War created an environment in which free thinking was stifled; ironic given that the West was on the side of liberalism, which seeks to defend and promote a diversity of opinion. I think there's no doubt that it has resonated and has been influential, but is increasingly being seen a weak argument. 
I like the way that you’ve provided a response to it.


Benjamin L** C.Y. wrote:


Tue, 12 Oct 2010, 9:27 PM



Thanks Aleisha, thanks Michael! :)
 I was worried it might seem too sketchy to comprehend, glad you guys like it! :)
 Maybe we will see a new ideology that can accommodate the events of our age. Huntington's "Clash of Civilisations" seems to be headed in that direction, although I find that much academic literature is still besotted with alarmist content, most notably 1st-3rd world issues and capitalism-consumer welfare.
 While we bemoan these seemingly endless problems, we must not forget that humanity has made progress in its own right. The post on "Soft Appeal" demonstrates that along with this post on Federalism - neither is perfect, but both are constructive.
 Where is the Love:"What's wrong with the media/ Negative images just to meet criteria" - The media needs to make our progress salient too.

Soft Appeal - in lieu of Soft Power

Global Winds & Local Waves

Part 4 of 5

A University of Melbourne Edublog assignment

under the Freshman subject "Globalisation"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

============ ============ ============

25 Sep 2010, 6:05 PM by Benjamin L** C.Y. (Last edited: 26 Sep 2010, 12:13 PM)

In Soft Power, Nye (1990) states that “proof of power lies not in resources but in the ability to change the behaviour of states.” He focused on the actions of national agents on the global stage their effects. We common folk may not have the hard or soft power to alter the global stage, but we do have something I call soft appeal – cultural artifacts and beliefs that shape our thoughts and feelings. It’s found its way into our MP3s, online radios, iTunes and hearts.

Evidence of soft appeal is often found in popular media. We hear stories of wars, bombings and hatred on the radio, but every now and then a new song appears that catches popular attention and delivers a moral impact:

People killin', people dyin'

Children hurt and you hear them cryin'

Do you practice what you preach

And would you turn the other cheek

This Black Eyed Peas song was released in June 2003, 3 months after the US-led coalition invaded Iraq without UN clearance. Popular global protests involving millions were ineffectual. Perhaps this is why this song was so well received around the world and earned the top spot in various Charts in the Western hemisphere. Incidentally, this isn’t the first time a famous song has brought a message of love and peace…

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

Originally written by Michael Jackson (1985), it raised $60 million to fight hunger in various African countries and created what Holden (The New York Times) calls a legacy, emphasising humanitarian causes in pop music that runs into the 21^st Century.

These songs’ popularity necessarily depends on the notion of shared humanity for their moral and political impact. If our moral considerations stop at out borders, there is no ill in “People killin’, people dyin’” in Iraq or Africa or any other dire land. There won’t be a “We are the world” either. Instead, these songs appeal to us because we recognize our shared humanity and identify with each other regardless of arbitrary distinctions like nationality and race.

This line of thought has been around for centuries. Kant’s Categorical Imperative rests on a similar notion of ethical universality. Socialists will also be familiar with Eugene Pottier’s “The Internationale”, a song written in 1871 expressing international class-based solidarity. In its contemporary incarnation:

Let no one build walls to divide us

Walls of hatred nor walls of stone

The emphasis on common humanity has long existed at the intellectual and popular level, but we still face the same old problems of war (Iraq), poverty (Sub-Saharan Africa) and even religious hatred (like pastor Terry Jones). The solutions aren’t clear, but the underlying values have a distinctive ‘soft appeal’ to us. I think the Black Eyed Peas epitomized ‘soft appeal’ when they asked:

Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity

Now ask yourself 

Where is the love?

Where is the love?

Where is the love?

Can we be One World?

Perhaps...

Someday, when we are wiser...

Someday, one day, soon...

Reference

Nye, Joseph Jr. “Soft Power”, Foreign Policy, 80 (Autumn): 153-171

4 responses to: "Soft Appeal - Music for Humanity"

Amanda B**** wrote:


Sat, 25 Sep 2010, 7:46 PM



Entertaining post with which I agree. Music is a very effective form of soft power that reaches people at all corners of the world. Globalisation really facilitates this through the media spreading moral messages through such music. Concerts such as 'Live 8' and artists such as 'U2' strongly advocate spreading this too. This form of power proves to be much more effective as people see these influential artists performing concerts to 'make poverty history' and ultimately want to be a part of the cause.


Alexandra M******* wrote:


Sat, 25 Sep 2010, 7:50 PM



It's so true, the song by the B.E.Ps didn't just have a catchy tune; it's meaning wound its way into people's hearts.
I really like your use of the term "Soft Appeal". Instead of riots and rallies, music concerts have led way to some of the most meaningful, not to mention best broadcasted, gatherings of masses who want change. "Soft Appeal" has a certain ring to it, like we're whispering in the ears of politicians, urging them to make a change.


Ana G***** wrote:


Sat, 25 Sep 2010, 10:11 PM



This was pretty interesting. I'd like to point out my personal favourite and one of the first: John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance', also an amazing video, everyone in it is so involved and so genuine. My friend and I were talking about it the other day, how crazy it was living in the 60s and the 70s and how even though there were all these crazy wars, and the threat of killing the world with a few big bombs, it was one of the most hopeful times the world has ever seen. And now that we don't feel at risk any more we have become a cynical sad bunch. 


Benjamin L** C.Y. wrote:


Sun, 26 Sep 2010, 12:07 PM



Oh yea Ana, the Hippie age was absolutely revolutionary imho. I studied it before... how an entire counterculture can protest against wars through street rallies and alternative lifestyles! In fact, it made the cover issue of Time magazine at one stage! When done with a critical mass, people without executive power can make a big difference.

Jenifer N***** wrote:

Wed, 13 Oct 2010, 8:09 PM

I love the idea of how music can change views and opinions on a global scale. It's amazing how one simple form of artwork, with simple lyrics and words can have so much of an impact on the way we live our lives and the way we think of the world around us. The artists who share their work do so much more than entertain, they send out messages to a large number of people.

BAN-KAI !!!

Global Winds & Local Waves

Part 3 of 5

A University of Melbourne Edublog assignment

under the Freshman subject "Globalisation"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

============ ============ ============

10 Sep 2010, 10:07 PM by Benjamin L** C.Y. (Last edited: 10 Sep 2010, 10:39 PM)

This is an age of cultural ubiquity – where cultural are artifacts widely known around the world. McDonalds and Hollywood were novelties, but not anymore. The same goes for anime and sushi – and it seems that Apple culture is following suit with a slew of Macbooks and ‘i-series’ gadgets. The wave of global capitalism and media wash these on new shores, sometimes in humorous ways. Consider this joke:

A Singaporean, two Indonesians and a Japanese citizen were waiting for dinner. The Singaporean said: “My friend once acted as a samurai. He was supposed to draw his sword and shout ‘BAN-ZAI!’ Unfortunately, the bloke blundered. As he drew his sword, he yelled ‘BAN-KAI!’" The table were nearly slain with laughter.

By the way, I’m the Singaporean & that’s a true story. Foreign novelty has become normalized and found its way into the vernacular of other countries. Does this mean that cultural proliferation has given us new common ground? Yes it has, but it brings new risks.

Florida-based Pastor Terry Jones advocated burning Korans, Islam’s holy book, to mark the 9^th anniversary of September 11^th. His legal right to do this is protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Islam, along with many other religions and ideologies, transcends national boundaries. It’s analogous to Benedict Anderson’s “imagined communities”. An assault on such communities can have severe repercussions. Here's proof:

General Petraeus, Commander of NATO forces in Kabul:

"Images of the burning of a Quran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan - and around the world - to inflame public opinion and incite violence."

Mohammad Mukhtar, Cleric and prospective Afghan Member for Parliament:

"It is the duty of Muslims to react… When their holy book Quran gets burned in public, then there is nothing left. If this happens, I think the first and most important reaction will be that wherever Americans are seen, they will be killed. No matter where they will be in the world they will be killed."

Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State:

"It is regrettable that a pastor in Gainesville, Florida, with a church of no more than 50 people can make this outrageous and distrustful, disgraceful plan and get the world's attention, but that's the world we live in right now,"

The world’s listening and poised to act – this is the real Bankai

References

Stacy, Mitch (2010). “Fla. minister determined to hold 9/11 Quran burn”. Associated Press, 10 September. Accessed 10^th September 2010 from the Associated Press application for iPhone.

Pictures

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2010/09/08/1225915/615173-terry-jones.jpg

http://blogs.reuters.com/africanews/files/2009/06/arms1.jpg

3 responses to: "BAN-KAI !!!"

Tomas A**** wrote:

Sat, 11 Sep 2010, 12:12 AM



An interesting point on the common ground of cultures. It is a well established but rarely acknowledged liberal ideal that cultures will expand together in harmony. So your first point is enlightening. On your second point about reaction, I must say that the views of Clinton and her humanitarian commrades is rather alarmist in perspective. I think the question to ask from your blog is: What real capacity do cultures have in reaction to threats; and more specifically; how much relative capacity do extermist groups possess?.


Sophie D***** wrote:


Sat, 11 Sep 2010, 10:05 AM



There is no doubt that this is indeed an age of cultural ubiquity and hence an age where cultural boundaries hold no barriers any more. Consequently in an instant one mans extreme  opinion can do exactly that, excite extreme reactions around the globe.  Rationality is surely what we have to mindful of at all times and aware that societites and communitites across the globe do not become overwhelmed by moral panics! We can all play a part in this. 


Shen N* wrote:

Thu, 14 Oct 2010, 2:16 AM

Really like Bleach the anime, still remember when i was watching it few years back, best and most favourite Bankai.. SenbonSakura (spelled it wrong i think), well, i can see how it shows relation to globalization, its a japanese anime, but even the subititles at the bottom are english. but, thank god for that, if not i wouldnt get to watch anime now as well, unless i have a Japanese girlfriend of course. Haha. Cheers.