Re: BHA: DPF introductory chapter

[Alan Norrie <alan.w.norrie@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi everyone on the list.  I'm pleased to see that people are having another
go at DPF. The last reading only got so far, but was nonetheless very
valuable at the time.  I don't know if anyone has suggested this already,
but it might be an idea to resurrect the original commentaries done by
Gary, myself and others as one way in.  The new reading will generate its
own interests, but my memory is that a number of the readings first time
around were attempts at a fairly basic level to understand the book.  So
they might be helpful now.  I have a feeling that an archive of them was
set up, but I could be wrong.  I'd certainly be happy to post mine again,
provided I can find them, which may be a big if...

Good luck!

alan

At 16:45 05/02/01 -0500, you wrote:
> Since the "Introduction" of DPF is under consideration, I thought I'd
>start reading it again ...    ;--)   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.   --- I can't
>even begin to think of historical analogies for the other three
>Aufhebung:  - Aufhebung     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?     Are there "concrete utopias" where this was
>realized?   Perhaps someone can come up with smaller-scale instances of
>such conflicts.
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Professor Alan Norrie
School of Law
King's College London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS

tel 020 7848 2919
fax 020 7848 2465

Secretary (Grace Alleyne) 020 7848 2273



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