Articles

The pragmatist renunciation of sociology’s critical exclusivity is reversed in the recent thought of Luc Boltanski, as capitalist “displacements” to the world of work together with new and complex forms of domination demand the return to a critical methodology. Unlike others of his generation, however, Boltanski’s arguments for change do not extend to democracy itself, writes Boyan Znepolski.

Once wildly popular, President Obama is now under fire from all directions. Is it because his thinking is too complicated for an age of sound bites, asks George Blecher, or does he lack the kind of passion that the American electorate thrives on?

Following the political logic of pop-cultural palaeontology, Hungary’s resurgent far-Right excavates archaic cultural identities for the youth of today, writes Zsófia Bán. Mythical symbols of national strength fill the historical void felt by post-’89 generations, whom even the cathartic moment of regime change fails to unite.

Stuttgart’s residents are furious over plans to convert the city’s existing rail terminus into an underground through-station. In October, 150 000 demonstrators gathered in the city’s central park, which will disappear if building goes ahead. Supporters of the prestige project argue that the conversion of the station, together with the construction of a new high-speed stretch, is essential if Stuttgart is to become a stopping point on the new “magistrale” between Paris and Budapest. Yet critics point to exorbitant costs, misguided rail policy and misuse of public funds.

For Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, modernism was a sinister force, especially in Russia, where it foretold “the most physically destructive revolution of the twentieth century”. Richard Tempest explores Solzhenitsyn’s overt and covert (dis)engagement with Russian and European modernism, arguing that he employed modernist means to achieve anti-modernist ends.

The comic book Tintin in the Congo has been charged with racism in a Brussels court for its display of colonial attitudes from the 1930s. Morten Harper re-reads “countercultural” Norwegian comics and reveals how there, too, humour functions at the expense of minorities.

Of course we should love, honour and cherish our species, says British moral philosopher Mary Midgley. But should we have to worship it too?

Author Janice Galloway reveals her lifelong fascination with Pieter Breugel the Younger, whose love of the “ordinary”, she believes, chimes with the Scottish character.

British author Simon Mawer has used the history of Brno and the personalities connected with the city in two of his novels. His latest, The Glass Room, loosely based on the story of Mies van der Rohe’s famous Villa Tugendhat, was recently published in Czech to a very favourable reception. It would, however, be a mistake to connect Simon Mawer with only one book and one theme. Marek Seckar talks with the writer about real and literary buildings, Brno, and about art, science and uncertainty.

The advance of populist anti-Islamic forces in the liberal bastions of northern Europe – Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden – appears to reflect a betrayal of these societies’ renowned social tolerance. But there is a more subtle logic at work, says Cas Mudde.

Barbara Gaile got her academic education in times of total chaos in former Soviet Latvia and was probably the first to graduate the Art Academy with abstract compositions. In interview with Liga Marcinkevicha she recalls the past and talks about her latest exhibition Perles (Pearls) at the Latvian National Art Museum.

In 1980s Hungary, as in the USSR and many other communist ruled countries of eastern and central Europe, censorship and opposition to it was a hot issue. A onetime dissident turned historian recalls the passionate debates at the time and establishes their continuing relevance in the post-Wall world.

After visiting an art exhibition in the Riga Art Space, Janis Taurens visits his friend Vasilij Voronov where he confesses his disappointment with the exhibition. Like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson they go on to analyse the art scene of the last century within the cultural space of Latvia.

Racism has certainly exacerbated the destitution and exclusion of the Roma following the collapse of communism. But an encounter with a group of Roma in Lille reveals another dynamic at work. Rather than be forced to reflect on the fragile link between affluence and belonging, society pushes the problem to the edges. A reportage.

Mixing fact and fiction, Suren Pillay tells a compelling story about journalistic ethics. A photographer takes a picture of a young man throwing a petrol bomb during a 1985 township riot and ponders over the possible consequences of publishing the photo.