Michael Thompson
Time's Square: Deriving Cultural Theory from Rubbish
Theory
Abstract
Starting
with the hypothesis that duration (the standard idea of time
that we associate with the steady tick-tock of a clock) can
only exist if it is framed by something that is not duration -
eternity or oblivion - it is possible to make
sense of the fusing of time and space that is going on, both
in acephalous societies in West Africa and in the more
familiar dynamic categorisations of modern Western societies:
secondhand, rubbish and antique, for instance. The same
hypothesis also sheds some helpful light on problems over
space and time in contemporary physics. Forgetting, we now see,
is a pre-requisite for remembering, and worthlessness a
pre-requisite for value: insights that suggest we take a
closer look at what is involved in the deceptively simple
three-category dynamical system in which objects, once
produced, have only two possible destinations - the museum or
the rubbish dump.
Such
a dynamical system, it turns out, can give rise to shifts
within the social totality across two fundamental dimensions -
status and power – thereby generating many of the "grand
types" that have been discerned by social scientists:
class and caste, for instance. But, if it is to do this, there
must be at least four contending ways of organising and
justifying within that totality. Cultural theory (the four
ways of organising and justifying) is thus revealed to be
inherent in the seemingly much simpler rubbish theory the
three-category dynamical system): a surprising outcome that
has some intriguing implications.
Manfred E. A.
Schmutzer
Cultural Theory through the Looking Glass: Allocation
Practices and Hegemonic Cultures
Abstract
The
core of the argument lies in offering a system-theoretical
grid which pinpoints attention of researchers on certain
properties of social structures. This should enable them to
make qualifying judgements more easily when confronted with
emipirical cases. These structures derived from mathematical
considerations will on the other hand correspond no more to
empirical data than the presupposed structures of ideal
crystals do with the mayority of found ones or planetary
orbits match ellipsises. Still do such guiding rods improve
proper classifications.
The
difficulties which may result from lack of proper instruments
for qualifications is in the sequel illustrated by discussing
the concept of hierarchy as proposed by M. Douglas.
Finally
suggestions are made for making the rather static concepts of
CT more dynamic by suggesting particular energy flows
resulting from different resources of energy and from their
specific distributions in dependence of the distinct
solidarities. Only in passing
- as published elsewhere (Funken, Löw eds., 2003) -
are time and space patterns discussed as important resources
and likewise leading principles for organising thought styles.
Maggie Scott and Susan
Carr
Cultural Theory and Plural Rationalities: Perspectives on
GM among UK Scientists
Abstract
Policy
makers and regulators use scientists’ advice as a basis for
making decisions about GM technology, but tend to discount
diversity among the views of scientists.
This paper reports on an empirical study of 13 UK
scientists who have become engaged publicly on different sides
in the GM debate. Cultural
theory was chosen as a framework to analyse the data, because
it is based on an assumption that complex societies contain
plural rationalities.
This
study drew on previous empirical research but developed and
extended the cultural theory approach.
In-depth qualitative analysis of interview transcripts,
taking contextual factors into account, and triangulating with
other sources of data, showed patterns of positive and
negative comments that correspond to cultural biases.
These patterns were graphically displayed as
semi-quantitative bar charts which allowed a detailed visual
analysis and indicated four distinct perspectives which
correspond to hierarchist, egalitarian, individualist and
autonomous cultural biases, within the context of the GM
debate.
Perri
6
Institutional Viability: a Neo-Durkheimian Theory
Abstract
This
article presents a statement of a theory of the conditions
under which are institutions, policies and arrangements viable
or sustainable, rooted in the neo-Durkheimian tradition. The
argument is that institutions have the greatest chance of
viability when they exhibit sufficient internal variety of the
basic institutional forms, and when the conflicts between
these forms can be contained by one or more types of
settlements. Institutional forms are subject to both positive
feedback or self-reinforcement, which the Durkheimian
tradition argues can lead to disorganisation, and to negative
feedback dynamics which can lead either to gridlock and
conflict or, if suitably contained, to settlement. The article
offers a classification of the available types of settlement
between institutional imperatives and a discussion of their
strengths and weaknesses.
