The novel Ragtime, written by the contemporary American writer Edgar Lawrence Doctorow, imaginatively reconstructs the urban space in the Progressive Era. In the period of social transformation and change, all kinds o...The novel Ragtime, written by the contemporary American writer Edgar Lawrence Doctorow, imaginatively reconstructs the urban space in the Progressive Era. In the period of social transformation and change, all kinds of contradictions in New York City are becoming increasingly acute. The division of space reflects the power discourse of different classes, races, and genders. The connection, extension and expansion of space promote the features of urban modernity and open up new patterns of social behavior and opportunities for survival, but cannot fundamentally alleviate the capitalist crisis. Spatial layout and distribution of the city are not only the reflection of social relations, but also the "time capsule", bearing the history of the city, and the writing of space offers a mirror for the author's emotion and value judgment.展开更多
Given certain reactions to the ecological crisis as part of the multiple crisis of capitalism (like the so-called energy transition in Germany), a new mode of development might emerge which can be called green capit...Given certain reactions to the ecological crisis as part of the multiple crisis of capitalism (like the so-called energy transition in Germany), a new mode of development might emerge which can be called green capitalism. This would shift the terrain of social critique and emancipatory social struggles. The paper introduces the debate on "social-ecological transformation" which emerged as a radical part of a more comprehensive debate on "great" or "societal transformation" and high- lights its core issues: the issue of a necessary attractive mode of production and living for all, the role of pioneers of change and changing political and economic institutions, the acknowledgment of shifting social practices, the requirement for alternative imaginaries or "stories" of a good life as part of a contested process which is called "futuring." As an example for alternative imaginaries, the current debate on "degrowth" is outlined and evaluated. The second part of the paper focuses more concretely on issues around the formation and existence of a global green-left. After mentioning a crucial problem for any global alternative--i.e., the structural feature of economic and geopolitical competition which historically divided the global Left and pulled it into compromises at national or regional scales--four requirements or characteristics of a global green-left are highlighted: to weaken and change capitalistically driven competition and competitiveness, to push a social-ecological transformation in democratic ways and not at the back ofordinary people (like conservative and liberal proposals for transformation tend to do), to link more systematically green issues with labor issues and, finally, to transform the overall dispositive of political action from a "distributive" to a "transformative Left." One dimension of such an enhancement, it is concluded, is a broader understanding of the "economy" itself by acknowledging the demands and achievements of a "care revolution" which will be crucial for an alternative mode of production and living.展开更多
This paper tries to explain how China can keep domestic stability under both socialist government and rapid capitalist economic growth. By tracing China's reform experience and comparing it with the mainstream reform...This paper tries to explain how China can keep domestic stability under both socialist government and rapid capitalist economic growth. By tracing China's reform experience and comparing it with the mainstream reform strategies, the paper argues that, first, Chin's reform strategy is fundamentally different from the conventional reform strategies; second, China's success to a large extent is the result of Chinese leaders' decision making and careful management over reform process rather than of simply market force. Finally, the paper suggests that the active role the Chinese Communist Party plays in economic reform grants its legitimacy, thus enabling it to enjoy political stability under long term rapid economic and social transition.展开更多
文摘The novel Ragtime, written by the contemporary American writer Edgar Lawrence Doctorow, imaginatively reconstructs the urban space in the Progressive Era. In the period of social transformation and change, all kinds of contradictions in New York City are becoming increasingly acute. The division of space reflects the power discourse of different classes, races, and genders. The connection, extension and expansion of space promote the features of urban modernity and open up new patterns of social behavior and opportunities for survival, but cannot fundamentally alleviate the capitalist crisis. Spatial layout and distribution of the city are not only the reflection of social relations, but also the "time capsule", bearing the history of the city, and the writing of space offers a mirror for the author's emotion and value judgment.
文摘Given certain reactions to the ecological crisis as part of the multiple crisis of capitalism (like the so-called energy transition in Germany), a new mode of development might emerge which can be called green capitalism. This would shift the terrain of social critique and emancipatory social struggles. The paper introduces the debate on "social-ecological transformation" which emerged as a radical part of a more comprehensive debate on "great" or "societal transformation" and high- lights its core issues: the issue of a necessary attractive mode of production and living for all, the role of pioneers of change and changing political and economic institutions, the acknowledgment of shifting social practices, the requirement for alternative imaginaries or "stories" of a good life as part of a contested process which is called "futuring." As an example for alternative imaginaries, the current debate on "degrowth" is outlined and evaluated. The second part of the paper focuses more concretely on issues around the formation and existence of a global green-left. After mentioning a crucial problem for any global alternative--i.e., the structural feature of economic and geopolitical competition which historically divided the global Left and pulled it into compromises at national or regional scales--four requirements or characteristics of a global green-left are highlighted: to weaken and change capitalistically driven competition and competitiveness, to push a social-ecological transformation in democratic ways and not at the back ofordinary people (like conservative and liberal proposals for transformation tend to do), to link more systematically green issues with labor issues and, finally, to transform the overall dispositive of political action from a "distributive" to a "transformative Left." One dimension of such an enhancement, it is concluded, is a broader understanding of the "economy" itself by acknowledging the demands and achievements of a "care revolution" which will be crucial for an alternative mode of production and living.
文摘This paper tries to explain how China can keep domestic stability under both socialist government and rapid capitalist economic growth. By tracing China's reform experience and comparing it with the mainstream reform strategies, the paper argues that, first, Chin's reform strategy is fundamentally different from the conventional reform strategies; second, China's success to a large extent is the result of Chinese leaders' decision making and careful management over reform process rather than of simply market force. Finally, the paper suggests that the active role the Chinese Communist Party plays in economic reform grants its legitimacy, thus enabling it to enjoy political stability under long term rapid economic and social transition.