- "Elite philanthropy is not an example of capitalist altruism: so while such philanthropy is often presented as a selfless act of generosity — especially when reported in the capitalist media — it is really a thoughtful form of capitalist investment. This investment however does not necessarily generate financial gain rather it works to stabilize the ruling classes means of ideological domination. And one way by which the ruling class imposes its will upon others is by purchasing society’s knowledge producing networks. In the case of “higher education” this is no easy matter, but such capitalists have proven more than capable of meeting their own ideological requirements... this article aims to closely examine the philanthropic-academic nexus within an anthropological context to illustrate this point." [Barker's latest via Dissident Voice]
- "The contribution of the [International Crisis Group’s] gunboat diplomacy to the generally permissive environment for Western military operations cannot be precisely gauged. Crisis Group claims that up to half of its recommendations are taken up, at least in part, within a year: doubtless over-generous, though official acclaim does imply distinguished service. Indeed, for newsrooms shorn of foreign correspondents, ill-served by the academic fashion for statistical models and game-theory abstractions, the icg’s freely available, on-the-ground reportage passes for ‘independent’ authority—to all appearances with humanitarian credentials to boot. Yet a reappraisal of the group’s career, stripping away the usual pieties, will show its principals to be poachers still." [Tom Hazeldine's 'The North Atlantic Counsel: Complicity of the International Crisis Group' via New Left Review May-June 2010]
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário