Culture of Adversarialism

(c) 2010 - Peter C. Newton-Evans(c) 2010 - Peter C. Newton-Evans

Adversarialism as Adversarialism as Cultural HegemonyCultural Hegemony

Peter C. Newton-EvansPeter C. Newton-Evans


Nature or Culture?Nature or Culture?

Is adversarialism a ‘natural culture’?Is adversarialism a ‘natural culture’?

Instincts versus learningInstincts versus learning

Nature / nurture – end of the debateNature / nurture – end of the debate

Biology = capacity / culture = choiceBiology = capacity / culture = choice

Are all cultures agonistic?Are all cultures agonistic?

Cultures of peace versus agonistic culturesCultures of peace versus agonistic cultures


Naturalization of CultureNaturalization of Culture

Why does my culture seem natural to me?Why does my culture seem natural to me?

A self-fulfilling prophesy A self-fulfilling prophesy

Is the world really the way it is? (‘ser’ Is the world really the way it is? (‘ser’

versus ‘estar’)versus ‘estar’)

Historical amnesia and boiled frogsHistorical amnesia and boiled frogs

Denaturalizing our cultureDenaturalizing our culture

Normal pathologiesNormal pathologies


The two DimensionsThe two Dimensions

PsicoculturalPsicocultural: The structure of : The structure of human conscious: mental models, human conscious: mental models, assumptions, theories, beliefs, assumptions, theories, beliefs, values, attitudes, symbolisms, values, attitudes, symbolisms, representations, world views, representations, world views, neurosis and psychopathologies.neurosis and psychopathologies.

SociostructuralSociostructural: Normative : Normative practices that regulate individual practices that regulate individual behavior, institutions that behavior, institutions that structure collective life, economic, structure collective life, economic, political and judicial systems, political and judicial systems, hierarchies of power and hierarchies of power and authority, production and authority, production and distribution of resources, division distribution of resources, division of labor, etc.of labor, etc.


The two Dimensions The two Dimensions (cont.)(cont.)

They reinforce each other in a continual feedback They reinforce each other in a continual feedback

looploop

They constitute ‘the world’, which is a cultural They constitute ‘the world’, which is a cultural

construct and can changeconstruct and can change

They are permeable and moldable, can be They are permeable and moldable, can be

changed and must be reproduced in order to changed and must be reproduced in order to

survivesurvive


The Psycho-cultural Dimension: The Psycho-cultural Dimension: TopicsTopics

Representation: giving the world meaningRepresentation: giving the world meaning

Discourse building: constructing the worldDiscourse building: constructing the world

A few psychocultural dynamicsA few psychocultural dynamics

Seedbed of the socio-structural dimensionSeedbed of the socio-structural dimension


Objeto o suceso

Significado o sentimientoSigno o

símbolo

Giving the world meaning Giving the world meaning A basic human needA basic human need ‘‘Representation’ assigns Representation’ assigns

and conveys itand conveys it The representational triad: The representational triad:

•ReferentsReferents: objects, : objects, phenomena, events, facts; phenomena, events, facts;

•SignifiersSignifiers: signs or symbols to : signs or symbols to refer to events and facts; refer to events and facts;

•MeaningsMeanings: interpretations and : interpretations and feelings relating to the former feelings relating to the former two. two.

He who controls the repre-He who controls the repre-sentation of the world sentation of the world controls the world.controls the world.


For example… For example…

1)1) ReferentReferent: A man enters his neighbor’s house : A man enters his neighbor’s house and takes away his radio.and takes away his radio.

2)2) SignifierSignifier: Culture A – ‘stealing’, Culture B – : Culture A – ‘stealing’, Culture B – ‘borrowing’, Culture C – ‘sharing’.‘borrowing’, Culture C – ‘sharing’.

3)3) MeaningMeaning: Culture A – conflict and resentments, : Culture A – conflict and resentments, Culture B – debt and reciprocity, Culture C – Culture B – debt and reciprocity, Culture C – mutual appreciation and friendship.mutual appreciation and friendship.

Are these differences due to genetic diversity Are these differences due to genetic diversity or to cultural diversity?or to cultural diversity?


Discursive HierarchyDiscursive Hierarchy

Cultural Cultural

codescodes

Discursive Discursive

constructsconstructs

Whole discoursesWhole discourses

Complex formationsComplex formations

““Human / Social Human / Social

Nature”Nature”

““It is a war of all It is a war of all

against all.”against all.”

Social sciences, Social sciences,

dystopian artdystopian art

An entire agonistic An entire agonistic

cultureculture


ComplexDiscursiveformations

Political discourse

Economic discourse

Legal discourse

Discursive Constructs on

motivations


power, authority


justice, punishment

Cultural codes

Cultural codes

Cultural codes

Cultural codes


Whole discoursesWhole discourses Dictate cannons of knowledgeDictate cannons of knowledge: what can/cannot : what can/cannot

be said/though, accepted ‘truths’be said/though, accepted ‘truths’ Grant authority to produce this knowledgeGrant authority to produce this knowledge.. Define the ‘subjects’Define the ‘subjects’: who can/cannot be actors or : who can/cannot be actors or

receivers of the discourse.receivers of the discourse. Make subjects personifications of the discourse Make subjects personifications of the discourse

(dominant / dominated)(dominant / dominated) Generate social structuresGenerate social structures that organize and that organize and

regulate group practices in keeping with their regulate group practices in keeping with their

inner logic. inner logic.


Some Psycho-Some Psycho-cultural Dynamicscultural Dynamics

Dichotomic thought: exclusion versus Dichotomic thought: exclusion versus complementaritycomplementarity

Prejudice and stereotypes: what is the next stepPrejudice and stereotypes: what is the next step Ethnocentric intolerance: the good, the bad and Ethnocentric intolerance: the good, the bad and

self-questioningself-questioning Identity hygiene: projecting, demonizing, Identity hygiene: projecting, demonizing,

sanctifying, or empathizingsanctifying, or empathizing Cognitive bias: cognitive dissonance, Cognitive bias: cognitive dissonance,

confirmatory bias, communal reinforcement, confirmatory bias, communal reinforcement, argumentum ad populumargumentum ad populum


Our OptionsOur OptionsA.A. If the agonistic theories are true, the obstacle If the agonistic theories are true, the obstacle

is human nature:is human nature:1.1. Give up: Give up:

a.a. Retire from societyRetire from societyb.b. Join the ‘war of all against all’Join the ‘war of all against all’c.c. Attack the evils we perceiveAttack the evils we perceive

2.2. Structure society to take advantage of the inherent Structure society to take advantage of the inherent adversarialismadversarialism

B.B. If these theories are not true, the obstacle is If these theories are not true, the obstacle is our belief in them:our belief in them:1.1. Sigh with relief and continue with life as usualSigh with relief and continue with life as usual2.2. Criticize those who try to make a changeCriticize those who try to make a change3.3. Help to build a new culture of peaceHelp to build a new culture of peace


The right platitude:The right platitude:


Institutionalization Institutionalization of Adversarialismof Adversarialism

As we think we actAs we think we act

““Normative Adversarialism”Normative Adversarialism”

The world is not the way it is. You can change it!The world is not the way it is. You can change it!

Vices and virtues are ‘made flesh’Vices and virtues are ‘made flesh’

Denaturalizing institutionalized adversarialismDenaturalizing institutionalized adversarialism


Incarnation of AdversarialismIncarnation of Adversarialism

Capitalist system -- greedCapitalist system -- greedParty system -- power struggleParty system -- power struggle

Electoral system -- ambitionElectoral system -- ambitionPolitical movements -- conflictPolitical movements -- conflict

Legal system -- litigationLegal system -- litigationDefense system -- fearDefense system -- fearMass media -- fightingMass media -- fighting

Educational system -- competitionEducational system -- competitionGames and sports -- contestsGames and sports -- contests

Religious sectarianism -- rivalryReligious sectarianism -- rivalryMedicine & agriculture -- invasionMedicine & agriculture -- invasion

Social relations -- disputesSocial relations -- disputes

Adversarialism is a cancer that has taken all the Adversarialism is a cancer that has taken all the organs and systems of the body politic. organs and systems of the body politic.


Adversarial InstitutionsAdversarial Institutions

‘‘Hard’Hard’::

Economic systemEconomic system Party systemParty system Electoral systemElectoral system Legislative systemLegislative system Judicial systemJudicial system National security National security

systemsystem Defense systemDefense system

‘‘Soft’Soft’::

The mass mediaThe mass media Educational systemEducational system Religious sectarianismReligious sectarianism Games and sportsGames and sports Agricultural practicesAgricultural practices Medicine and healthMedicine and health Social conventionsSocial conventions Structured thoughtStructured thought


How did we get here and How did we get here and where are we going?where are we going?


How the myth developedHow the myth developed Brutality, inhumanity Brutality, inhumanity

of conquestof conquest Inequitable exploita-Inequitable exploita-

tion by colonizationtion by colonization Slave trade and Slave trade and

employmentemployment Rise of capitalism as Rise of capitalism as

economic systemeconomic system Two world wars in Two world wars in

EuropeEurope North American world- North American world-

wide economic wide economic imperialism imperialism

Justify genocide of Justify genocide of peaceful non-Europeanspeaceful non-Europeans

Legitimize European Legitimize European domination/institutionsdomination/institutions

Legitimize slavery as Legitimize slavery as practice and institutionpractice and institution

Naturalize capitalism as Naturalize capitalism as inevitable systeminevitable system

Explain how Europe’s Explain how Europe’s “superiority” led to this“superiority” led to this

Legitimize excesses of Legitimize excesses of deregulated free deregulated free marketmarket


Genesis of the Genesis of the Adversarial CultureAdversarial Culture

Greek and Roman roots: from agora to Greek and Roman roots: from agora to empireempire

Medieval Europe: cradle of the Medieval Europe: cradle of the adversarial cultureadversarial culture

The culture spreads: conquest and The culture spreads: conquest and colonizationcolonization

The institutionalization of The institutionalization of adversarialism is consolidatedadversarialism is consolidated

1945: the torch is passed from Europe 1945: the torch is passed from Europe to the United Statesto the United States


Building the Building the Adversarial MythAdversarial Myth

Inconsistencies abound: civilized versus primitive Inconsistencies abound: civilized versus primitive barbarianismbarbarianism

Ideological justifications towards structural Ideological justifications towards structural legitimacylegitimacy

Ecclesiastic and legal allegations: trials by Ecclesiastic and legal allegations: trials by ordeal / combat; the virtuous rich man myth; ordeal / combat; the virtuous rich man myth; lawful treatment of infrahuman beingslawful treatment of infrahuman beings

Pseudo-scientific explanations: essentialization Pseudo-scientific explanations: essentialization (why does the sun shine), superiority, determin-(why does the sun shine), superiority, determin-ism and (if all else fails), the greater wealism and (if all else fails), the greater weal

Disseminating the discourse: degrees, books, Disseminating the discourse: degrees, books, schools, churches, arts, institutions, privilegesschools, churches, arts, institutions, privileges


2. Essentializingthrough theories

4. Adversarial culture is

strengthened

1. Observation of prevailing

culture

3. Legitimizing adversarial

practices

Vicious circle of adver-

sarialism


Adversarialism as Adversarialism as HegemonyHegemony

Gramsci and cultural hegemonyGramsci and cultural hegemony

Naturalization and status quoNaturalization and status quo

Reproducing the hegemonyReproducing the hegemony

Chomsky and thought controlChomsky and thought control

Identity manipulationIdentity manipulation

Strategic essentialism?Strategic essentialism?


How to prevent How to prevent socio-cultural changesocio-cultural change

1.1. Limit the vision to the individual, not the Limit the vision to the individual, not the social structuressocial structures

2.2. Enable adaptation and conformity (“boil Enable adaptation and conformity (“boil the frog”)the frog”)

3.3. Promote egocentrism, individualism and Promote egocentrism, individualism and consumerism (“you deserve it”)consumerism (“you deserve it”)

4.4. Prescribe the ‘realism’ of superficial reform Prescribe the ‘realism’ of superficial reform (“don’t be a utopian”)(“don’t be a utopian”)

5.5. Favor excuses: “I will change the system Favor excuses: “I will change the system from within”; “it is only for a while”; “If I from within”; “it is only for a while”; “If I don’t, I will lose my job”.don’t, I will lose my job”.


Means for Social ControlMeans for Social Control Hide the truthHide the truth: give the illusion of freedom of speech: give the illusion of freedom of speech Censure any OppositionCensure any Opposition: no important voice, self-censure: no important voice, self-censure False ConsensusFalse Consensus: manufacture consent, propagandistic : manufacture consent, propagandistic

media, intellectuals serve their mastersmedia, intellectuals serve their masters DistractionsDistractions: absorbing occupations, consumer wishes, : absorbing occupations, consumer wishes,

deadening entertainment, facile reporting, focus on minor deadening entertainment, facile reporting, focus on minor issues, representative democracyissues, representative democracy

FearFear: psychosis of insecurity (“: psychosis of insecurity (“Close to HomeClose to Home”), convince ”), convince them how much they need their leadersthem how much they need their leaders

Impose game rulesImpose game rules: ensure competition, winners keep : ensure competition, winners keep winning, ‘old-boy’ privileges, adversarial change strategieswinning, ‘old-boy’ privileges, adversarial change strategies

DespairDespair: disillusionment, pessimism, cynicism, and feeling : disillusionment, pessimism, cynicism, and feeling of powerlessness are effective paralyzersof powerlessness are effective paralyzers


Who Benefits from the Who Benefits from the Hegemony of Adversarialism?Hegemony of Adversarialism?

The powers that beThe powers that be::• Military-industrial complex, governments, mega-Military-industrial complex, governments, mega-

corporations, financial institutions, legal system, mass corporations, financial institutions, legal system, mass media, novel and film, social sciencesmedia, novel and film, social sciences

IdeologiesIdeologies::• Elites, oligarchies, aristocracies; conservatives, political Elites, oligarchies, aristocracies; conservatives, political

parties, Marxists, racists, white menparties, Marxists, racists, white men

The MassesThe Masses::• Gives the world meaning, frees from blame and Gives the world meaning, frees from blame and

responsibility, skepticism is ‘cool’, parents & teachers, responsibility, skepticism is ‘cool’, parents & teachers, chauvinists & misogynists, the neighborhood bully.chauvinists & misogynists, the neighborhood bully.


Who is Harmed by Who is Harmed by Adversarialism?Adversarialism?

EverybodyEverybody!!

• Game theory: zero and negative sumGame theory: zero and negative sum

• Military expense: change the world in one yearMilitary expense: change the world in one year

• Party politics: you push and I pullParty politics: you push and I pull

• Academic contest: the loudest voiceAcademic contest: the loudest voice

• Competition: performance, interest, characterCompetition: performance, interest, character

• Psychological, emotional and relational costPsychological, emotional and relational cost


Is it a Conspiracy?Is it a Conspiracy? Reasons to believe: # of promoters and beneficiariesReasons to believe: # of promoters and beneficiaries What is and is not a conspiracy theory?What is and is not a conspiracy theory? It is not suggested in this case because:It is not suggested in this case because:

• Difficulty and unlikelihood for beneficiaries to agreeDifficulty and unlikelihood for beneficiaries to agree

• Would not have had such a powerful, lasting effectWould not have had such a powerful, lasting effect

• Would be denounced by “Would be denounced by “whistle-blowers”whistle-blowers”

• Means putting the blame on an ‘other’ Means putting the blame on an ‘other’

• Would put the culture of peace movement in ridiculeWould put the culture of peace movement in ridicule

• The adversarial culture is the inheritance and responsibility of The adversarial culture is the inheritance and responsibility of allall

A conspiracy would not even be necessaryA conspiracy would not even be necessary The massifying role of the mass mediaThe massifying role of the mass media Made / Let It Happen On PurposeMade / Let It Happen On Purpose (MIHOP / LIHOP (MIHOP / LIHOP))


Is a post-hegemonic Is a post-hegemonic world possible? world possible?

Hegemonies are as fluid as their discursive Hegemonies are as fluid as their discursive

constructsconstructs

Directing their change requires joint effortDirecting their change requires joint effort

Not replace one hegemony with another, but Not replace one hegemony with another, but

achieve unity in diversity of world discursivenessachieve unity in diversity of world discursiveness

Agents of socio-cultural change are needed with Agents of socio-cultural change are needed with

an optimistic outlook of ‘historic agency’an optimistic outlook of ‘historic agency’


Thank youThank youwww.cultureofpeace.peternewton.bizwww.cultureofpeace.peternewton.biz

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