Stephen J. Collier
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691148304
- eISBN:
- 9781400840427
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691148304.001.0001
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology
The Soviet Union created a unique form of urban modernity, developing institutions of social provisioning for hundreds of millions of people in small and medium-sized industrial cities spread across ...
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The Soviet Union created a unique form of urban modernity, developing institutions of social provisioning for hundreds of millions of people in small and medium-sized industrial cities spread across a vast territory. After the collapse of socialism, these institutions were profoundly shaken—casualties, in the eyes of many observers, of market-oriented reforms associated with neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus. This book examines reform in Russia beyond the Washington Consensus. It turns attention from the noisy battles over stabilization and privatization during the 1990s to subsequent reforms that grapple with the mundane details of pipes, wires, bureaucratic routines, and budgetary formulas that made up the Soviet social state. Drawing on Michel Foucault's lectures from the late 1970s, the book uses the Russian case to examine neoliberalism as a central form of political rationality in contemporary societies. The book's basic finding—that neoliberal reforms provide a justification for redistribution and social welfare, and may work to preserve the norms and forms of social modernity—lays the groundwork for a critical revision of conventional understandings of these topics.Less
The Soviet Union created a unique form of urban modernity, developing institutions of social provisioning for hundreds of millions of people in small and medium-sized industrial cities spread across a vast territory. After the collapse of socialism, these institutions were profoundly shaken—casualties, in the eyes of many observers, of market-oriented reforms associated with neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus. This book examines reform in Russia beyond the Washington Consensus. It turns attention from the noisy battles over stabilization and privatization during the 1990s to subsequent reforms that grapple with the mundane details of pipes, wires, bureaucratic routines, and budgetary formulas that made up the Soviet social state. Drawing on Michel Foucault's lectures from the late 1970s, the book uses the Russian case to examine neoliberalism as a central form of political rationality in contemporary societies. The book's basic finding—that neoliberal reforms provide a justification for redistribution and social welfare, and may work to preserve the norms and forms of social modernity—lays the groundwork for a critical revision of conventional understandings of these topics.
Sadie Parr and Judy Nixon
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781847420282
- eISBN:
- 9781447301493
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781847420282.003.0010
- Subject:
- Social Work, Crime and Justice
As part of New Labour's drive to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), the UK government launched a ‘new approach to the most challenging families’ involving a national roll-out of 53 ‘Family ...
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As part of New Labour's drive to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), the UK government launched a ‘new approach to the most challenging families’ involving a national roll-out of 53 ‘Family Intervention Projects’ (FIPs) in January 2006. This latest ASB policy initiative, more commonly referred to by the media as ‘sin bins’, provides families who are homeless or at risk of eviction (usually from social housing) as a result of ASB with intensive support to address their often multiple and complex needs. Drawing on policy texts, newspaper reporting and rich data from a three-year qualitative study of six FIPs, this chapter explores the discursive field in which the projects are conceptualised. It examines the political rationality that underpins and shapes FIP policy and, in so doing, makes explicit the moral justifications that are employed, the way in which target families are problematised, and the presupposed distribution of tasks among governing authorities. After discussing governmentality and political rationalities, the chapter considers how FIPs are constructed in the media and by practitioners.Less
As part of New Labour's drive to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), the UK government launched a ‘new approach to the most challenging families’ involving a national roll-out of 53 ‘Family Intervention Projects’ (FIPs) in January 2006. This latest ASB policy initiative, more commonly referred to by the media as ‘sin bins’, provides families who are homeless or at risk of eviction (usually from social housing) as a result of ASB with intensive support to address their often multiple and complex needs. Drawing on policy texts, newspaper reporting and rich data from a three-year qualitative study of six FIPs, this chapter explores the discursive field in which the projects are conceptualised. It examines the political rationality that underpins and shapes FIP policy and, in so doing, makes explicit the moral justifications that are employed, the way in which target families are problematised, and the presupposed distribution of tasks among governing authorities. After discussing governmentality and political rationalities, the chapter considers how FIPs are constructed in the media and by practitioners.
Michael Meranze
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814732663
- eISBN:
- 9780814733042
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814732663.003.0003
- Subject:
- Law, Criminal Law and Criminology
This chapter examines the question of capital punishment in relation to sovereignty and biopolitics. More specifically, it discusses current “political and legal rationalities” that constitute the ...
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This chapter examines the question of capital punishment in relation to sovereignty and biopolitics. More specifically, it discusses current “political and legal rationalities” that constitute the field within which the death penalty becomes an option. It views capital punishment not as a unique and isolated practice, but as part of a more elaborate configuration of forces and factors. Drawing on the work of Michel Foucault, particularly his notion of the biopolitical, it analyzes the contemporary state of the question of death penalty. Within the context of this biopolitical, it explores the new goals and principles of government, the new ambitions and mode of regulation, which developed in the modern period. It also considers the shift in meaning of sovereignty, from the monarch's right the kill to the state's protection of life. Finally, it looks at the Supreme Court as a site of struggle between the competing claims of biopolitical and legal rationalities.Less
This chapter examines the question of capital punishment in relation to sovereignty and biopolitics. More specifically, it discusses current “political and legal rationalities” that constitute the field within which the death penalty becomes an option. It views capital punishment not as a unique and isolated practice, but as part of a more elaborate configuration of forces and factors. Drawing on the work of Michel Foucault, particularly his notion of the biopolitical, it analyzes the contemporary state of the question of death penalty. Within the context of this biopolitical, it explores the new goals and principles of government, the new ambitions and mode of regulation, which developed in the modern period. It also considers the shift in meaning of sovereignty, from the monarch's right the kill to the state's protection of life. Finally, it looks at the Supreme Court as a site of struggle between the competing claims of biopolitical and legal rationalities.
Ryan K. Balot
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- April 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199982158
- eISBN:
- 9780199355259
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199982158.003.0003
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
After offering an account of Athenian public decision making, this chapter shows that Athens’s democratic deliberation depended upon a novel ideal of civic courage. In classical Athens, political ...
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After offering an account of Athenian public decision making, this chapter shows that Athens’s democratic deliberation depended upon a novel ideal of civic courage. In classical Athens, political deliberation was based on wide-ranging free speech, or parrhōsia – the privilege of “saying everything.” Free speech made Athenian deliberation specifically democratic: all socioeconomic groups were entitled, and even encouraged, to participate in taking decisions and rendering judgment. Yet free speech also carried with it certain risks, particularly when orators spoke out against the desires and inclinations of the demos. Out of this deliberative crucible, the Athenians developed a novel conception of civic courage, that is, the courage to think and speak independently for the good of the city. Thus, the Athenians accomplished a political transformation of courage, which had previously been understood almost exclusively as a military virtue.Less
After offering an account of Athenian public decision making, this chapter shows that Athens’s democratic deliberation depended upon a novel ideal of civic courage. In classical Athens, political deliberation was based on wide-ranging free speech, or parrhōsia – the privilege of “saying everything.” Free speech made Athenian deliberation specifically democratic: all socioeconomic groups were entitled, and even encouraged, to participate in taking decisions and rendering judgment. Yet free speech also carried with it certain risks, particularly when orators spoke out against the desires and inclinations of the demos. Out of this deliberative crucible, the Athenians developed a novel conception of civic courage, that is, the courage to think and speak independently for the good of the city. Thus, the Athenians accomplished a political transformation of courage, which had previously been understood almost exclusively as a military virtue.
Pauline Card
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781861346858
- eISBN:
- 9781447302544
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781861346858.003.0003
- Subject:
- Sociology, Urban and Rural Studies
This chapter describes the different roles that have been assigned to council housing since the 20th century. It is argued that these roles are connected to the changing political rationalities, ...
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This chapter describes the different roles that have been assigned to council housing since the 20th century. It is argued that these roles are connected to the changing political rationalities, where the translation discourses define the behaviour of both council estates and individual tenants as problematic. The discussion reveals how the contemporary problem of ASB is able to represent the latest in a continual reconfiguration of the welfare state. This involves the notions of the deserving and the undeserving, and results in the increasing use of legal measures by the social landlords in order to ‘protect’ communities.Less
This chapter describes the different roles that have been assigned to council housing since the 20th century. It is argued that these roles are connected to the changing political rationalities, where the translation discourses define the behaviour of both council estates and individual tenants as problematic. The discussion reveals how the contemporary problem of ASB is able to represent the latest in a continual reconfiguration of the welfare state. This involves the notions of the deserving and the undeserving, and results in the increasing use of legal measures by the social landlords in order to ‘protect’ communities.
Benjamin L. McKean
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- October 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780190087807
- eISBN:
- 9780190087838
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190087807.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics, Political Theory
This chapter examines transnational supply chains to make visible their actual operation and show how it diverges from the neoliberal way of dividing up and legitimating the political and economic ...
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This chapter examines transnational supply chains to make visible their actual operation and show how it diverges from the neoliberal way of dividing up and legitimating the political and economic realms. In practice, supply chains diverge significantly from the neoliberal vision of spontaneous, self-organizing market activity and more closely resemble the kind of economic planning neoliberals decry. When pressed to explain these prevalent economic forms, even neoliberals concede that economic activity is not only dependent on extraeconomic coercion from the political realm, but itself shot through with claims to authority, which is demonstrated through an interpretation of Ronald Coase’s theory of the firm. Workers and consumers who are subject to supply chains can contest these claims to authority—in the first place, by insisting on their right to freedom of association with each other—and thus begin to repoliticize the economic realm that neoliberals seek to encase.Less
This chapter examines transnational supply chains to make visible their actual operation and show how it diverges from the neoliberal way of dividing up and legitimating the political and economic realms. In practice, supply chains diverge significantly from the neoliberal vision of spontaneous, self-organizing market activity and more closely resemble the kind of economic planning neoliberals decry. When pressed to explain these prevalent economic forms, even neoliberals concede that economic activity is not only dependent on extraeconomic coercion from the political realm, but itself shot through with claims to authority, which is demonstrated through an interpretation of Ronald Coase’s theory of the firm. Workers and consumers who are subject to supply chains can contest these claims to authority—in the first place, by insisting on their right to freedom of association with each other—and thus begin to repoliticize the economic realm that neoliberals seek to encase.
Bhangya Bhukya
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- February 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199468089
- eISBN:
- 9780199087440
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199468089.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, Indian History, Social History
This chapter deals with the ways in which the colonial state subordinated the sovereign rajas through treaties, agreements, and by force. After successful negotiations with the Gond Rajas, the ...
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This chapter deals with the ways in which the colonial state subordinated the sovereign rajas through treaties, agreements, and by force. After successful negotiations with the Gond Rajas, the British used several techniques to level them and bring them into colonial modernity. Although their rights were respected over their tiny territories, they were controlled and monitored by the British agent systematically. The rajas and their politics were represented as opposite to the British in every way in order to subordinate them. Indeed, the British endeavoured to bring the adivasis into colonial modernity through the rajas. The project sought to civilize and empower the rajas and hill people, but in practice, the dice was loaded against them. Interestingly the civilization project led to the emergence of a new consciousness among the rajas that challenged colonial domination in their daily affairs.Less
This chapter deals with the ways in which the colonial state subordinated the sovereign rajas through treaties, agreements, and by force. After successful negotiations with the Gond Rajas, the British used several techniques to level them and bring them into colonial modernity. Although their rights were respected over their tiny territories, they were controlled and monitored by the British agent systematically. The rajas and their politics were represented as opposite to the British in every way in order to subordinate them. Indeed, the British endeavoured to bring the adivasis into colonial modernity through the rajas. The project sought to civilize and empower the rajas and hill people, but in practice, the dice was loaded against them. Interestingly the civilization project led to the emergence of a new consciousness among the rajas that challenged colonial domination in their daily affairs.
