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Papers by Marcus Charlesworth
Beyond his obvious contribution to the cultivation of this project; from a vague and over-ambitio... more Beyond his obvious contribution to the cultivation of this project; from a vague and over-ambitious global survey of all anti-liberal movements of both left and right the world over to the far more plausible, modest study that I present to you in these pages; it is also only right, at this point, to mention that it was Dr. Darby who gave me my first taste of philosophy, and opened my mind to the possibility of an understanding of the political world that transcends the bickering of partisan politics and the drudgery of federal bureaucracy. For this I must be forever grateful, as the unconcealing of the possibility of political philosophy to a person for whom such a thing was genuinely uncanny cannot be any small thing. However, as Dr. Darby enters into what we all hope will be a happy, fruitful and productive retirement, it is timely to reflect that the above story is but one of hundreds, if not thousands, of stories wherein young men and women came into Dr. Darby's orbit and had their intellectual lives irreversible, and positively, recalibrated by an encounter with a wonderful teacher and man. Thank you Tom! Naturally I am also grateful to Dr. Waller Newell and Dr. Robert Sibley, both of whom take places on my committee and have taught me over the course of my studies but particular mention is owed to Dr. Geoffrey Kellow, who stepped in at the last moment to ensure that my defence went forward. Alongside Dr. Darby these men have provided, between them, almost the entirety of my philosophical education and as a result my debt to them cannot be satisfactorily conveyed beyond the obvious significance of the acknowledgement of this fact, and it is no small thing in itself. In addition, of course, I must thank friends and family; particularly my editors par excellence, Florence Guillot and Chris Charlesworth; who have been ever reliable for diversion and philosophical conversation throughout this process. Most of all though, I would like to end these acknowledgements by thanking my wonderful partner, Natalia Pochtaruk, who has kept me healthy in body and sound in mind throughout this project. Her kindness, compassion and decency has been an invaluable source of comfort and support, as well as a reminder of the possibility of human goodness, something that one needs reminding of when one's life becomes so deeply entangled in the worlds of Heidegger, Le Pen, Zemmour and Houellebecq. This being established, this paper will undertake its task in the following way. It will begin with a review of literature that will be shown primarily to divide into two separate explanatory lenses, sociological and economic, which have dominated scholarship on this phenomenon. While the claims made by these studies will not need to be discredited, it will be shown that such approaches fail to answer fundamental questions that arise when one considers this phenomenon "Français de papier". Secondly, Heidegger's critique of the concept of ideal forms and of historicism will be shown to represent a rejection of the "progressive" view of history, and therefore "progressivism" itself. This will be compared with the anti-progressivism of Houellebecq and contrasted with the more vulgar reactionary traditionalism of the "far-right". Finally, this part will conclude with two important departures from Heideggerian thought that can be observed when one compares "Being and Time" with contemporary French anti-liberalism. Firstly, the ambiguity surrounding the relationship between the "they" and the Dasein will be shown to be entirely nonexistent in Houellebecq's radical misanthropy nor in the nationalism of the "far-right". And secondly, the project of authentic Dasein will be shown to have no relation to the romantic communitarianism of the "far-right". Altogether, this can be said to represent the underlying concern motivating contemporary anti-liberalism, but not the political substance of the "far-right"
Canadian Journal of Political Science
A stream of thought has developed in the Western world which is dominated by a desire to atone fo... more A stream of thought has developed in the Western world which is dominated by a desire to atone for the crimes of the past. Influenced by conceptions of original sin and redemption, inherited from our Christian tradition, Western nations frequently find themselves engaging in humanitarian interventions in the Global South in the hope that they might find salvation for themselves. It will be the contention of this paper that this ethic of culpability, and the desire for redemption that it inspires, influences the West to consider humanitarian engagements in the context of its own desire for salvation rather than the interests of the peoples of the Global South. It will then be shown, using the case study of the Libyan intervention, that in debates over the humanitarian elements of particular cases for intervention we can observe the presence of a strong sense of guilt and a strong desire for redemption. Once established, it will be argued that other frameworks exist that can be used to debate humanitarian intervention going forward, frameworks that treat the people of the Global South as an end in themselves rather than as bit-part players in the redemptive drama of the West.
Genealogical overview of the martyr story from the early Christian example of St. Stephen to the ... more Genealogical overview of the martyr story from the early Christian example of St. Stephen to the present day. Using Foucault's concepts of counter-conduct and Schmidt's concept of political theology to explain the political utility of the martyr story as a tool for identity formation and community building.
. This paper will propose that the debate in Europe about the so-called "democratic deficit" is r... more . This paper will propose that the debate in Europe about the so-called "democratic deficit" is rooted in two separate conceptions of political legitimacy which have, at their core, two different conceptions of liberty, legitimacy and the relationship between the government and the governed.
Europe's population is ageing. This is the result of long demographic trends which must be revers... more Europe's population is ageing. This is the result of long demographic trends which must be reversed if Europe is to avoid a long demographic winter. Migration is often suggested as a solution to this problem but in order for it to be pursued, the challenges of anti-immigrant parties and extremism more generally will need to be overcome.
Analysis of the influence of Israeli security concerns on their policy towards the Syrian Civil W... more Analysis of the influence of Israeli security concerns on their policy towards the Syrian Civil War. Essential argument that Israeli action, and inaction, is broadly driven by a security calculus rather than grand strategy.
Analysis of the relationship between Battle Deaths, Strategic success/failure and the public perc... more Analysis of the relationship between Battle Deaths, Strategic success/failure and the public perception of the Vietnam War.
Analysis of both the influence of Ancient Pagan philosophers on Ibn Khaldun's work but also the p... more Analysis of both the influence of Ancient Pagan philosophers on Ibn Khaldun's work but also the parallels that can be drawn between his writings and those of modern European thinkers.
Drafts by Marcus Charlesworth
There are three particular aspects of Heidegger’s argument upon which this paper will be focused.... more There are three particular aspects of Heidegger’s argument upon which this paper will be focused. Firstly, this paper will analyse the way in which Heidegger traces the development of technology from the Ancient Greek conception of technê, which constituted a form of knowledge rooted in the reshaping and utilization of the resources and gifts of nature, to the modern conception of technology, which is rooted in a radically different relationship with the natural world where, rather than working with the gifts of nature, man sets-upon nature in order to break it down into composite parts, extract the energy or material that man needs, and transform these into a standing reserve. Secondly, this paper will analyse the account provided by Heidegger of what one might describe as the “logics” of technology and the way in which modern technology and the natural sciences have, in gaining hegemony over the way in which people understand truth, served both to enframe the natural world within this logic and also to transform the way in which man understands himself and others within this paradigm. Finally this paper will focus upon the last element of Heidegger’s argument. Heidegger does not merely want to gain an understanding of technology, he feels that we are in danger of being overcome by technology and that it is necessary for man to re-assert his mastery of technology so that it can serve as his tool, and as one more in a number of ways in which man can bring the concealed into unconcealment in pursuit of truth. In Heidegger’s words, “Everything depends on our manipulating technology in the proper manner as a means. We will, as we say, “Get” technology “spiritually in hand”. We will master it. The will to mastery becomes all the more urgent the more technology threatens to slip from human control.” (Heidegger, 1977, p. 6).
Beyond his obvious contribution to the cultivation of this project; from a vague and over-ambitio... more Beyond his obvious contribution to the cultivation of this project; from a vague and over-ambitious global survey of all anti-liberal movements of both left and right the world over to the far more plausible, modest study that I present to you in these pages; it is also only right, at this point, to mention that it was Dr. Darby who gave me my first taste of philosophy, and opened my mind to the possibility of an understanding of the political world that transcends the bickering of partisan politics and the drudgery of federal bureaucracy. For this I must be forever grateful, as the unconcealing of the possibility of political philosophy to a person for whom such a thing was genuinely uncanny cannot be any small thing. However, as Dr. Darby enters into what we all hope will be a happy, fruitful and productive retirement, it is timely to reflect that the above story is but one of hundreds, if not thousands, of stories wherein young men and women came into Dr. Darby's orbit and had their intellectual lives irreversible, and positively, recalibrated by an encounter with a wonderful teacher and man. Thank you Tom! Naturally I am also grateful to Dr. Waller Newell and Dr. Robert Sibley, both of whom take places on my committee and have taught me over the course of my studies but particular mention is owed to Dr. Geoffrey Kellow, who stepped in at the last moment to ensure that my defence went forward. Alongside Dr. Darby these men have provided, between them, almost the entirety of my philosophical education and as a result my debt to them cannot be satisfactorily conveyed beyond the obvious significance of the acknowledgement of this fact, and it is no small thing in itself. In addition, of course, I must thank friends and family; particularly my editors par excellence, Florence Guillot and Chris Charlesworth; who have been ever reliable for diversion and philosophical conversation throughout this process. Most of all though, I would like to end these acknowledgements by thanking my wonderful partner, Natalia Pochtaruk, who has kept me healthy in body and sound in mind throughout this project. Her kindness, compassion and decency has been an invaluable source of comfort and support, as well as a reminder of the possibility of human goodness, something that one needs reminding of when one's life becomes so deeply entangled in the worlds of Heidegger, Le Pen, Zemmour and Houellebecq. This being established, this paper will undertake its task in the following way. It will begin with a review of literature that will be shown primarily to divide into two separate explanatory lenses, sociological and economic, which have dominated scholarship on this phenomenon. While the claims made by these studies will not need to be discredited, it will be shown that such approaches fail to answer fundamental questions that arise when one considers this phenomenon "Français de papier". Secondly, Heidegger's critique of the concept of ideal forms and of historicism will be shown to represent a rejection of the "progressive" view of history, and therefore "progressivism" itself. This will be compared with the anti-progressivism of Houellebecq and contrasted with the more vulgar reactionary traditionalism of the "far-right". Finally, this part will conclude with two important departures from Heideggerian thought that can be observed when one compares "Being and Time" with contemporary French anti-liberalism. Firstly, the ambiguity surrounding the relationship between the "they" and the Dasein will be shown to be entirely nonexistent in Houellebecq's radical misanthropy nor in the nationalism of the "far-right". And secondly, the project of authentic Dasein will be shown to have no relation to the romantic communitarianism of the "far-right". Altogether, this can be said to represent the underlying concern motivating contemporary anti-liberalism, but not the political substance of the "far-right"
Canadian Journal of Political Science
A stream of thought has developed in the Western world which is dominated by a desire to atone fo... more A stream of thought has developed in the Western world which is dominated by a desire to atone for the crimes of the past. Influenced by conceptions of original sin and redemption, inherited from our Christian tradition, Western nations frequently find themselves engaging in humanitarian interventions in the Global South in the hope that they might find salvation for themselves. It will be the contention of this paper that this ethic of culpability, and the desire for redemption that it inspires, influences the West to consider humanitarian engagements in the context of its own desire for salvation rather than the interests of the peoples of the Global South. It will then be shown, using the case study of the Libyan intervention, that in debates over the humanitarian elements of particular cases for intervention we can observe the presence of a strong sense of guilt and a strong desire for redemption. Once established, it will be argued that other frameworks exist that can be used to debate humanitarian intervention going forward, frameworks that treat the people of the Global South as an end in themselves rather than as bit-part players in the redemptive drama of the West.
Genealogical overview of the martyr story from the early Christian example of St. Stephen to the ... more Genealogical overview of the martyr story from the early Christian example of St. Stephen to the present day. Using Foucault's concepts of counter-conduct and Schmidt's concept of political theology to explain the political utility of the martyr story as a tool for identity formation and community building.
. This paper will propose that the debate in Europe about the so-called "democratic deficit" is r... more . This paper will propose that the debate in Europe about the so-called "democratic deficit" is rooted in two separate conceptions of political legitimacy which have, at their core, two different conceptions of liberty, legitimacy and the relationship between the government and the governed.
Europe's population is ageing. This is the result of long demographic trends which must be revers... more Europe's population is ageing. This is the result of long demographic trends which must be reversed if Europe is to avoid a long demographic winter. Migration is often suggested as a solution to this problem but in order for it to be pursued, the challenges of anti-immigrant parties and extremism more generally will need to be overcome.
Analysis of the influence of Israeli security concerns on their policy towards the Syrian Civil W... more Analysis of the influence of Israeli security concerns on their policy towards the Syrian Civil War. Essential argument that Israeli action, and inaction, is broadly driven by a security calculus rather than grand strategy.
Analysis of the relationship between Battle Deaths, Strategic success/failure and the public perc... more Analysis of the relationship between Battle Deaths, Strategic success/failure and the public perception of the Vietnam War.
Analysis of both the influence of Ancient Pagan philosophers on Ibn Khaldun's work but also the p... more Analysis of both the influence of Ancient Pagan philosophers on Ibn Khaldun's work but also the parallels that can be drawn between his writings and those of modern European thinkers.
There are three particular aspects of Heidegger’s argument upon which this paper will be focused.... more There are three particular aspects of Heidegger’s argument upon which this paper will be focused. Firstly, this paper will analyse the way in which Heidegger traces the development of technology from the Ancient Greek conception of technê, which constituted a form of knowledge rooted in the reshaping and utilization of the resources and gifts of nature, to the modern conception of technology, which is rooted in a radically different relationship with the natural world where, rather than working with the gifts of nature, man sets-upon nature in order to break it down into composite parts, extract the energy or material that man needs, and transform these into a standing reserve. Secondly, this paper will analyse the account provided by Heidegger of what one might describe as the “logics” of technology and the way in which modern technology and the natural sciences have, in gaining hegemony over the way in which people understand truth, served both to enframe the natural world within this logic and also to transform the way in which man understands himself and others within this paradigm. Finally this paper will focus upon the last element of Heidegger’s argument. Heidegger does not merely want to gain an understanding of technology, he feels that we are in danger of being overcome by technology and that it is necessary for man to re-assert his mastery of technology so that it can serve as his tool, and as one more in a number of ways in which man can bring the concealed into unconcealment in pursuit of truth. In Heidegger’s words, “Everything depends on our manipulating technology in the proper manner as a means. We will, as we say, “Get” technology “spiritually in hand”. We will master it. The will to mastery becomes all the more urgent the more technology threatens to slip from human control.” (Heidegger, 1977, p. 6).