Since the "Introduction" of DPF is under consideration, I thought I'd start reading it again ...
Perhaps we can relate the matter of the chapter to the discussion of socialism and politics currently taking place, and on the verge of getting a bit heated. ;--)
The poster of the DPF:Introduction thread mentioned that they were working throught the various "d's" of that chapter.
I was especially interested in the "dr's", or the results of a geo-historical dialectical process (as this is related to my research interest in the relationship between performance and social conflict).
Bhaskar (p. 28) distinguishes between a simple "outcome," a "resolution" of a contradiction, a "rational " resolution of such a contradiction, a Hegelian "aufhebung," -- and beyond these more familiar types of resolution are resolutions that "afford us reconciliation to life" or "encourage mutual recognition in a free society."
Simultaneously, Bhaskar encourages us to remember what happens when a result is "non-resultary," or when you have an unreasonable resolution, a resolusion that is not an "aufhebung", or when a resolution does not reconcile us with life.
Can anyone help me find concrete examples of these "resolutions"
Resolution as such: Tensions between the regions are overcome, Canada repatriates its 1st Constitution (1980)
- Resolution as such: regional tensions are not overcome, Meech Lake Accords are not passed
Rational Resolution: Major western European powers put aside (some) traditional rivalries, and, after the "30 years war" of this century, form not just a peace accord, but a European Union
- Rational Resolution: countries of the former Yugoslavia "resolve" federal tensions by devolving into smaller republics, which republics make unending territorial claims on each other.
Reconciliatory: an aufhebung that reconciles us to life. Wouldn't that be the definition of a sucessful revolution, where success means more than just the seizure of power?
- Reconciliatiory: mere seizure of power, reconstitution of political economy -- but alienated practice?
Encourages Free Society and Mutual Recognition: wouldn't that be utopia. Are there "concrete utopias" where this was realized?
Perhaps someone can come up with smaller-scale instances of such conflicts.