Cultural Studies in the Twenty First Century

DeLuca and Giroux and Searls Giroux discussion on how globalization and capitalism structures the conditions under which people make sense of, and respond to, their daily lives. Their view on accountability, ethics, and responsibility and lastly reasons why the world needs a new language for politics for mobilizing diverse groups

DeLuca, Giroux and Giroux are sentient of the fact that the need to advance both globalization and capitalism have in the past played a vital part of shaping ethics, responsibility and accountability among both leaders and the citizens of their respective countries. To begin with is the realization that the three authors appreciate the impact of globalization and capitalism in structuring conditions that are essential in helping people make sense of humanity, their daily lives as well as enabling them respond appropriately to problems facing them. In the same bracket as capitalism and globalization lies pertinent determinants to success and these are work ethics, morality, responsibility and accountability. An elucidation of these factors cements the realization that a new language for politics is needed to mobilize diverse groups of people into cohesive coexistence. Thus both capitalism and globalization form a common ground for integration of critical pedagogical studies relating to race, gender and emerging cultural codes emanating from Westernization or civilization.

Looking at globalization from Kevin Michael DeLuca’s point of view, it emerges that the author is adamant in his believe that there exists a direct relationship between accountability, ethics, responsibility, globalization and capitalism. This is implicit in his writings of “Interrupting the world as it is: Thinking amidst the corporatocracy and in the wake of Tunisia, Egypt and Wisconsin” where he associates the need for national governments to be ethical responsible and accountable in their fight for globalization and controlled capitalism (DeLuca, 2011). This further means that there is need for power control. Amidst such a reality DeLuca drifts his concentration towards capitalism and how the fight against imperialism has impacted the world. According to DeLuca (2011), the whole idea of democracy has become a hoax because it has been thwarted and trashed under the disguise of imperial conservatism. The worst part of it is that imperialism is being propagated in the guise of democratic phraseologies which have hampered the creation of salient conditions vital for triggering conditions that make sense to the common citizens. Apparently the premise which is the cornerstone for the establishment of responsible leadership, ethics and accountability among leaders has been disregarded as leaders are in constant pursuit for self-satisfaction.

Regarding ethics, accountability and responsibility, DeLuca view it as a mirage that can only be shaped by good leadership. This is because globalization has exposed human beings to forced slavery, racism and alienation which are the main undermining factors towards achievement of ethics. With the loss of ethics, has come the decay of morality and impingement of human rights. The author further cites the twentieth century as being a period of transformation that gave a positive twist to the concept of ethics, accountability and responsibility. Thus globalization and capitalism have jointly helped in the intensification of industrialization, nature, law, creativity and economics but on the other hand, vices such as wars racism, cultural differences have increased. For instance, the world failed to stop the Bush administration from waging war against Iraqis where United States used weapons of mass destruction and this was a big blow to capitalism and democracy putting in mind that the US has boasted of being on the forefront in promoting democracy. The excessive use of force has therefore undermined the achievement of ethical leadership, authority and responsibility despite the positive promises that could be accrued from embracing capitalism and globalization. This example as used by DeLuca illustrates the fall of capitalism, which ushered in a dictatorial system of governance called ‘zombie capitalism’ in both the Bush and Obama regimes (DeLuca, 2011).

On the same note, globalization has also undermined liberalism because developed nations have exploited developing nations through irresponsible formulation of treaties meant to subdue their economic progress in a bid to make them dependent on the powerful developed countries. For instance, during the United Nations Climate Change Summit that was held in 2009 at Copenhagen, the leaders lacked a common language in their attempt to tackle industrialization issues accruing from globalization. Because of industrialization, there has been an increase in global warming but the world industrial leading countries such as United States have rejected such treaties because they will deter them from industrial progress. This further emphasizes that at the wake of globalization, capitalism has failed to help leaders strike a balance between ethics, responsibility and accountability. The saddest part is that the citizens are forced to carry the heavy burden of increased tax, poor leadership and mismanaged public resources at the expense of self-development. From the argument posed by DeLuca, (2011) there is obviously a need for a new language for politics that will be vital in mobilizing diverse groups of people into ethical leadership, accountability and responsibility among politicians and citizens. This means that a well-structured country that integrates capitalism with a free trade economy is bound to embrace globalization without much passing much burden to the citizens who are the taxpayers.

Henry Giroux who is the Chairman of English and Cultural Studies at the University McMaster brings a new dimension to the approach presented by DeLuca. In a joint journal with Susan Searls Giroux, the two authors attempt to integrate ethics, accountability and responsibility in the wide array of globalization and capitalism (Giroux & Giroux, 2006). The two authors seem to be opposed to the idea of neoliberalism which has been supported by some fundamental institutions such as World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Funds. Neoliberalism is opposed to Marxist theories which attempt to delineate people from the capitalism. This is because Marxism theories as proponed by Karl Max were aimed at subjugating capitalism and promote communism. Max suggests that communism is the best way to attain ethics, accountability and responsibility. The ideas underlying economic theories postulated by Max are projected in the writing of Giroux who collectively argues that the world would have been more purposeful with communism than it is with capitalism. According to Giroux and Giroux, (2006) capitalism has failed to utilize the advantages accrued from globalization but rather it has forced common citizens into an economic haze by creating political structures and conditions that favor political and business elites. The end result has been inequality in the distribution of national resources.

Based on the approach presented by Giroux and Giroux, (2006) in their journal, the authors analyze critical principles that are the foundation for ethics, accountability and responsibility. To begin with is the realization that the American education system needs to be restructured to promote the advancement of autonomy among students and this is likely to give a substantive boost to democracy. Compared to the current neoliberal system that has been in favor of capitalism despite the reality that it political systems formed on the ground of capitalism are flawed because they only train people into becoming workers dependent industrial jobs. This is to mean that capitalism is a blow to creativity which is the main ingredient towards globalization. Likewise the political atmosphere of capitalistic nations is clouded with forces emanating from elites who are more concerned with propagating ideologies that will facilitate the creation of a new world order. In order to avoid such atrocities, neoliberalism should be avoided at all costs. This can only be possible through mobilizing diverse groups and developing a novel system of government that integrates both capitalistic and communistic theories. By so doing, people will benefit from globalization because political systems will be streamlined to enhance accountability, responsibility and ethical services.

James and Razack’s revelation about the continuing significance of race and politics of racism

In the journal “Stealing the pain of others: Reflection on Canadian Humanitarian responses” Sherene Razack opens an inquiry into historical occurrences that have been motivated by biased politics of racism. To begin with, racism refers to ethnic discriminations or biases against people of a certain race. The key determinant to racism has been identified with skin color and accent which have added up into escalating the levels of discrimination at all stages of growth in the American society. According to illustrations made by Razack, (2007) politics has been the main factor propagating the growth of racial thoughts because politicians have always found power in dividing people along racial grounds as a way of facilitating their easy control. Historically the strategy is known as ‘divide and rule’. Instances are cited in documentaries such as shake hands with the devil which is a representation of racial effects and how it has affected many countries across the world. In the recent past the most affected have been African countries among them being Rwanda genocide, Somali civil strife among others.

Evidently it is traumatizing to notice how innocent civilians have suffered in the hands of atrocities such as holocausts and genocides but because of the divergent perspective that has been created by racism among the blacks and whites, powerful Western countries have failed in helping resolve such conflicts. Despite calls that have been made in the past by United Nations enticing African countries which are the most affected by racism, to join in the efforts to unite world economies, it has turned out that racism has taken a center stage in such organizations. Starting with the U.N, IMF and WTO, the whites have played politics of racism which have enabled them to dominate the inner circle of leadership thus continuously making policies, treaties and agreements in the favor of the white race (Razack, 2007). Despite playing dirty racial politics under the tables, they still manage to compassionately convince middle powers and the developing countries that they have their interests at heart.

Razack narrows down his attention into covering the topic of race, empathy and how the pain that has been experienced in the past by the Black people be used to their advantage. In order to achieve his quest of reaching out to the world and infiltrating anti-racist ideas into both the black and white races where by the latter has brainwashed the former into a feeling of inferiority complex. Razack quotes a documentary made by Saidiya Hartman who clearly elaborates scenes of political terror, self-making and slavery that marked America in the 19^th Century. Historically racism traces back to 1400’s when colonialism was widespread in North America. Europeans colonized Americans and Africans which made the white settlers in the ancient America to adopt the feeling of superiority because they believed they were more civilized than other races. The Europeans who are rather white started enslaving other races and grabbing their parcels of land which ushered in the realities associated with racial differences, discrimination and exploitation (Razack, 2007). Such acts also changed the definition of racism which became focused on coordinated practices designed to deny people of minority races access to equal representation, rights and resources. From Razacks view point, it stands out that history is a major determinant towards the continued racial prejudice experienced between Africans, African Americans and Europeans.

The concept of racism became entangled into learning institutions which came to be known as institutionalized racism which is propagated into social institutions and later on diffuses into each and every segment of our societies. The most affected races have been Native Americans, African Americans, Latin Americana and Asian Americans. Because of racism, structured institutions have suffered from slavery, segregation, racial profiling and reservations. Razack, (2007) emphasizes quoting instances documented by Hartman. Among them being the fact that the fight against racism has been hampered by racial politics which has been inevitable during American presidential elections thus such social factors as social-economic inequality and racial stratification in education, governance, housing and employment have dominated the United States. Despite contributions made by the United States Human Rights Network among other human and civil rights organizations, discrimination against Latin Americans, African Americans and Muslims who are the minority communities in the US is a common phenomenon.

Additionally the ideas voiced by Kumarini Silva in his journal ‘Brown: From identity to identification’ presents themes relating to the impact of racism in the American politics. Collectively racism in one country represents the scenario across most countries in the world since racism is universal but the degree varies from one country to the other. According to Silva, (2010) the presidential election of President Obama was partially marred by his racial inclination which sparked dialogues centered at disqualifying him from the presidential campaigns. His mixed race accredited to a foreign father from Kenya and a Briton mother illustrated the continuing significance of racism and racial politics in the American society. Silva is further supported by Jenny Burman who affirms that racism has taken a different locus relating to birthright, citizenship, loyalty and legitimacy.

In the journals ‘Soul: A critical journal of black politics, culture and society’ and ‘Barack Obama: Coalition of a purple mandate’ written by Stanlie James, the continuing significance of race and politics of racism is exhibited by the election of a black president in a country that was traditionally dominated by racial prejudice against African Americans. There appears to be a mixed reaction in the way people perceive racism in the American society. Despite this reality, many societies are faced by problems resulting from dichotomized thinking and historical short sightedness or myopia. Based on illustrations made by James, (2009) race and gender are key determinants to political success in many countries. The author of the article who is a white European man encountered his first black in 1969 when he travelled to Ghana. To his dismay he was surprised that the black race also conducted campaign and elections. This notion is propagated in a better part of the paper when gradually the author is made to believe that the world has continuously accepted racial diversities and with continued advocacy against racial prejudice, stigmatization and discrimination, then there is racism will come to an end.

References

Giroux, H. & Giroux, S. S. (2006). Challenging neoliberalism’s new world order: The promise of critical pedagogy. Cultural Studies ↔ Critical Methodologies, 6(1), 21–32. http://0-csc.sagepub.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/content/6/1/21.full.pdf+html

Razack, S. H. (2007). Stealing the pain of others: Reflections on Canadian humanitarian responses. Review of Education, Pedagogy & Cultural Studies, 29(4), 375–394. http://0-www.tandfonline.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/doi/pdf/10.1080/10714410701454198

James, S. M. (2009). Barack Obama: Coalitions of a purple mandate. Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society, 11(1), 51–59. http://0-www.tandfonline.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/doi/pdf/10.1080/10999940902734895

Silva, K. (2010). Brown: From identity to identification. Cultural Studies, 24(2), 167–182. http://0-ehis.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8834afe7-4777-488c-9a08-e9195fd846e7%40sessionmgr4&vid=2&hid=4

DeLuca, K. M. (2011). Interrupting the world as it is: Thinking amidst the corporatocracy and in the wake of Tunisia, Egypt, and Wisconsin. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 28(2), 86–93. http://0-www.tandfonline.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/doi/pdf/10.1080/15295036.2011.572680