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One series I found particularly illuminating is this one on youtube of a russian national entering NK on false pretenses and filming his experience there.
There are many things he finds, such as an underground economy run by locals, an urban sprawl populated by professionals working for the regime, and high class accommodations for visitors and those well-to-do in NK.
Of course, what we can see are his observations and the small conversations he has with the locals. Absent any empirical data about the finances of the regime or evidence about their political structure, this series presents a compelling look at just how plain a role hierarchy plays in NK’n life.
How does the regime produce what it needs for society to reproduce itself when many of its citizens try to flee the country? What role does China play in maintaining the ‘envelope’ of NK’n hierarchy and oppression?
I find that Creorder does not provide a political mandate as much as it provides a framework for better understanding capital and the processes by which capital shapes society.
Much of Bichler and Nitzan’s work is indebted to Marx and his studies of capital, but I think the one of the impressions one is left with after reading Creorder the entrenchment of capital in everything, down to our ways of thinking. I find Creorder to be a study of how we can better understand capital and its effects on society, not necessarily a way of promoting any societal alternative or way we can lose our chains as Marx would say. However, one take away would be that understanding capital is one step towards effectively opposing it, should one wish to do so.
When I am not reading course-related readings, I am working my way through Weltschmerz: Pessimism in German Philosophy, 1860-1900 by Frederick C. Beiser (Oxford University Press). I for one am really interested in pessimist philosophy, but many of the major players in the movement are inaccessible to those who cannot read German. This book (so far!) is an excellent survey of Schopenhauer’s philosophy and the waves he made in Germany. The book discusses his critics, followers, and those who made major changes to his philosophy.
I am relieved to hear that others are or have been in the same position as me. I am apply to York’s MA program in political science and I’m looking forward to exploring CaSP and engaging in more empirical work.
I found the course very interesting, but difficult. By the end it was clear that I had a lot more to learn. But I suppose that is the effect of good courses with good professors.
My cat Daisy, who was an honourary member of Professor Nitzan’s POLS 4292 class this term, and I wish a happy new years to yourself jmc and everyone here on the CaSP forum. I hope that everyone is safe and well in spite of the economic uncertainty and the second wave hitting Canada and that everyone celebrates responsibly!
I myself feel lucky to have made it through 2020 despite working full time at multiple jobs throughout the year. It’s a reminder that a lot of people were not lucky to make it through this year. Like Picard said, it is possible to do everything right and still fail. I hope our government gets its act together to help those who can do little to help themselves and that people start taking this pandemic seriously.
All the best to you and your family!
