New politics and satire: the Euro financial crisis and the one-finger salute

ABSTRACT

This article argues that the conventional conceptualization in political science of politics is problematic, that it is overly narrow and constrained. This is because it excludes a range of actions like satire and humour which have come to play an increasing role in inspiring and provoking powerful political emotions and in informing the political agenda. Drawing on the work of critical scholars, it is argued that emotion, ethics and art can be deeply political. Moreover, new forms of media have encouraged new–old forms of political action often at the hands of young people who hitherto have been marginalized from the public sphere. Digital technology enables the production of user-generated content, opening new spaces for information, the exchange of ideas and mobilization. This article highlights the work of the young German satirist Jan Böhmermann to demonstrate how expressive art is playing a major role in shaping public opinion, in contesting power elites and informing political debate. In short, I use Böhmermann’s 2015 satire depicting Greco-German relations in the midst of a financial crisis and fears of loan defaults to argue for a broader understanding of politics that is inclusive of activities conventionally deemed non-rational.     

From Yao to now: Daoism and the imperialization of the China/Southeast Asia borderlands

This article investigates the adoption of Daoist ritual among the Yao peoples in South China and mainland Southeast Asia. The Song Dynasty imperial court patronized new Daoist ritual traditions that harnessed martial deities such as the Thunder Gods. Although these traditions were mostly southern in origin, it is not until the Qing dynasty that we find evidence for their circulation among the Yao. After discussing historical representations of Yao religion from the Song to the Qing dynasty and the specific historical contexts that gave rise to each representation, I conclude by examining how beliefs and practices derived from these same Daoist ritual traditions were active among the Iu Mien in Laos during the Second Indochina War. What is needed is an analysis that links a specific ethnographic or historiographic representation with a broader understanding of local, regional, and even transnational ritual practices in the borderlands of China and Southeast Asia.     

Discussing Global Issues Through Contemporary Art

Contemporary global issues can be examined through the lens of modern photographic art. In an effort to prepare global-ready graduates, this article explores the pressing problems of environmental degradation, urbanization, and homelessness through the work of three contemporary artists. Illustrative works, suggested approaches, and curriculum resources are provided.     

Commentary on 'Managing the process of change in residential child care: A consultancy approach'

This paper draws on a ten month British study completed in April 2001 investigating service responses to women of South Asian background who had attempted suicide or who self-harmed. The scope of the study is briefly outlined and an analysis of perspectives documented in the study is presented, drawing on research interviews with 18 staff from a variety of health and social care disciplines and with seven survivors of attempted suicide/self-harm. The implications of this analysis for improving practice are considered. Attitudes surrounding attempted suicide and self-harm are discussed. The issue of ‘race anxiety’ is also discussed. The factors seen by workers as contributing to South Asian women's attempted suicide are considered, with a particular focus on the difficulties caused in the delivery of services by common-sense accounts of cultural issues. Current approaches to the delivery of services to South Asian women are identified and analysed, showing how their current organisation can lead to circularity in referral systems and consequent non-intentional neglect of the needs of this client group. It is urged that proper consideration be given to the support and professional supervision of staff in this complex area of work.     

借鉴纽约经验 建设上海“百老汇”

通过对纽约百老汇剧院区的发展历程、现状特征和主要做法进行梳理和归纳,对上海打造具有海派特色、多层次、多功能的世界级表演艺术集聚区提出建设性意见。     

“大文科”意识与中文人才培养新模式

当今世界经济与科技迅猛发展,传统的中文人才培养模式已经不能满足社会需求,只有在中文人才培养中树立"大文科"意识,才能打破学科壁垒,建立务实的中文人才培养体系,同时也有助于构建独具特色的中文人才培养模式,实现中文人才多向性发展,拓宽学生就业渠道,增强中文人才服务社会的能力。     

高校艺术教育的文化使命及未来发展

素质教育是强调以人为本的个性化全面教育,是科学教育和人文教育的融合,而作为实现科学教育和人文教育融合的桥梁与纽带的艺术教育更是一种最自然,最合乎人性的教育。艺术教育应该承载起一种崇高的文化使命,应当是统摄人才人生之意义、道德之完善、生存之价值、心灵之归宿的精神文本,应该是实施素质教育的精神载体。     

马克思主义文艺观与文学理论教材建设

我国文学理论教材在贯彻马克思主义文艺观时,应该注意文艺学转化问题,应该根据文学理论的学科特点与马克思主义文艺观对接,应该准确地把握马克思主义的文艺观。     

高云览《小城春秋》的创作艺术

《小城春秋》的艺术经验就是：把真实生活作为文学素材,在广泛借鉴的基础上进行创造,主动寻求批评,容纳各种意见,慎重取舍,化史入诗达到艺术精品。高云览的创作实践启示我们：正确处理生活与艺术的关系、继承与创造的关系、表达与修改的关系、创作与批评的关系。     

紧盯强军目标，大力培育官兵尚武精神

尚武精神是推动国防和军队建设的不竭精神动力。长期的和平环境，在官兵身上不同程度滋生了一些“和平积习”，尚武精神弱化。坚持不懈强化当代革命军人尚武精神，是一项亟待解决的重要课题。当前，紧盯强军目标，大力培育官兵尚武精神，就要坚定信念、铸牢军魂，确立尚武的政治方向；爱军精武、提高素质，锻造尚武的职业品格；依法治军、从严治军，夯实尚武的作风基础。