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Papers by Noah J Wescombe
Studies in Media and Communication, 2019
Veganism, as both a philosophy and social movement, faces numerous challenges to the communicatio... more Veganism, as both a philosophy and social movement, faces numerous challenges to the communication of its ideas across society. As a unique modern counterculture, it stands in contravention of prevailing anthropological discourses that dominate conceptual frameworks. This has led to difficulty in constructing updated virtue epistemologies that result in veganism as a logical moral conclusion. It is clear that new social discourses need developing, and that this is a primary concern for affirming moral agency. To explain this and identify key issues and features, vegan communications are evaluated herein from a philosophical, psychological, and informational perspective, with a view of both historical and modern social contexts. In doing so, a number of novel theoretical reflections are offered. This is done through a discussion separated into four sections dealing first with a view of veganism in evolution, secondly with the social complexity of media trends and social positioning, thirdly with achieving constructive dialogue given present-day challenges, and finally with a discussion of modern information systems. Overall, this broad systems view of veganism in society leads to the conclusion that an up-to-date vegan communication theory must necessarily incorporate such diversity considerations, and must also generate a new discourse that is in line with the complex nature of social dynamics and individual development. Done prudently, this could propel vegan ideas further into the mainstream of conversation and consciousness, fostering a new paradigm for consumption.
Conference Presentations by Noah J Wescombe
Recent shifts in global political economy have altered the course of development, while states, b... more Recent shifts in global political economy have altered the course of development, while states, businesses, and individuals grapple with the consequences. Much effort is still given to managing major market indices, without a deeper consideration of the social theoretics of economies today; which may lead to solutions in the political domain, rather than the monetary. This paper attempts to propose an updated approach, leveraging a perhaps unexpected political-theoretic approach to frame the features of ongoing systems development in the context of scale. The thought of Philip Selznick, E.F. Schumacher, and Baruch Spinoza, may appear an awkward, unlikely trio. Nonetheless, they each provide distinct, valuable contribution when viewed together. This is achieved by examining the philosophical relationship between communitarianism and liberalism, a complex social systems approach to fundamental macroeconomic phenomena, and finally the theoretical and practical implications of a particular ethical enrichment of liberal societies. In doing so, the features and challenges of modern political economy is effectively framed by these three thinkers, while setting out a framework for further progress toward optimally, justly governed liberal democracies. This paper forms the start of an ongoing, integrative project for rethinking some core aspect of modern political theory, in the interest of systems change.
Drafts by Noah J Wescombe
The quest for meaning, and a paradigm shift, in an age of environmental risk has led many to hete... more The quest for meaning, and a paradigm shift, in an age of environmental risk has led many to heterodox epistemologies that places human action at odds with ecocentrism, favouring a particular metaphysical route to ecological awareness through spiritualisms. While this is in response to increasing evidence of the anthropogenic impacts upon Earth systems, perspectives have become attracted to various radical naturalisms. The thought of Baruch Spinoza is a pertinent example of a philosophy that has been appropriated by eco-centrists to justify a hierarchy of being that puts "nature" above the humane. This paper will take the opportunity to succinctly level an argument, that has seemingly not yet been made, against such a paradoxical framing of Spinoza's philosophical principles. Making clear the most fundamental aspects of Spinozan theory, and then how it ties into applicational affairs, is the aim herein. This will be achieved by commenting on three aspects of the conception of nature and the "natural" by Spinoza, to demonstrate that the theory is distinct from other forms of spiritualism. In this manner, it can be made clear that a binary positioning of human will and natural order is not only irrelevant, but contrary, to Spinozan spiritualism. Contravening the anthropologies currently in vogue, Spinozism returns the focus to rationalism and human capability in an original systems perspective.
Books by Noah J Wescombe
Bristol Policy Review, 2019
Hello reader, and welcome to the second issue of the Bristol Policy Review.
Bristol Policy Review, 2019
Thesis Chapters by Noah J Wescombe
Dissertation, 2019
As a resource, water faces distributional issues that makes inequity a primary concern for social... more As a resource, water faces distributional issues that makes inequity a primary concern for social policy, and a “wicked” problem from a theoretical perspective, and in light of environmental uncertainty. To adequately frame relevant welfare considerations, key social dimensions may be located at the heart of an approach to water governance. In considering a number of significant social features of community contexts, and how this impacts their interaction with water resources, the concept of water welfare is defined. A case study method is used to view governance challenges from a wide social perspective. Issues in India, the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, and the Volta River Basin are used to explore common themes, and demonstrate how water challenges correspond to different social need contexts. This evaluation makes clear that there are methods of governance that can be improved with shifts in governance approaches toward more inclusive, community-based water governance. The outcome of this is an discussion of modern, tailored policy innovations that might reduce precariousness and water inequality, while building social-hydrological capabilities at community levels across societies. Such innovations can raise water welfare across societies.
Oxford University Research Archive, 2021
In the space of ten years, a number of novel and unique legal developments have arisen in differe... more In the space of ten years, a number of novel and unique legal developments have arisen in different jurisdictions around the world with one element in common: a declaration of the Rights of Nature, and a direct attribution of this jurisprudence to watercourses in their respective contexts. This thesis uses a hydro-socio-legal approach to analysing three of these developments as case-studies, identifying why they have occurred, the tensions involved, and the institutional and governance issues that they seek to address or are responding to. This work frames the analysis around an evaluation of environmental constitutionalism, and legal personhood, which informed their selection. This evaluation is prefaced by a prior discussion of key ideas in the theoretical discourse pertaining to the appropriate form of a right for non-human entities, and whether natural objects can have identifiable, and representable, interests. This work concludes that sufficient sophisticated recognition and processing of information about socio-hydrologies in respective contexts can innovate water law to enable responsive governance regimes, and the achievement of this depends on whether jurisdictions are prepared to open themselves to new approaches, legitimate stakeholder relationships with watercourses, and technological solutions that can enrich empirical understandings of fair resource allocation and utilisation for both nature and society.
Studies in Media and Communication, 2019
Veganism, as both a philosophy and social movement, faces numerous challenges to the communicatio... more Veganism, as both a philosophy and social movement, faces numerous challenges to the communication of its ideas across society. As a unique modern counterculture, it stands in contravention of prevailing anthropological discourses that dominate conceptual frameworks. This has led to difficulty in constructing updated virtue epistemologies that result in veganism as a logical moral conclusion. It is clear that new social discourses need developing, and that this is a primary concern for affirming moral agency. To explain this and identify key issues and features, vegan communications are evaluated herein from a philosophical, psychological, and informational perspective, with a view of both historical and modern social contexts. In doing so, a number of novel theoretical reflections are offered. This is done through a discussion separated into four sections dealing first with a view of veganism in evolution, secondly with the social complexity of media trends and social positioning, thirdly with achieving constructive dialogue given present-day challenges, and finally with a discussion of modern information systems. Overall, this broad systems view of veganism in society leads to the conclusion that an up-to-date vegan communication theory must necessarily incorporate such diversity considerations, and must also generate a new discourse that is in line with the complex nature of social dynamics and individual development. Done prudently, this could propel vegan ideas further into the mainstream of conversation and consciousness, fostering a new paradigm for consumption.
Recent shifts in global political economy have altered the course of development, while states, b... more Recent shifts in global political economy have altered the course of development, while states, businesses, and individuals grapple with the consequences. Much effort is still given to managing major market indices, without a deeper consideration of the social theoretics of economies today; which may lead to solutions in the political domain, rather than the monetary. This paper attempts to propose an updated approach, leveraging a perhaps unexpected political-theoretic approach to frame the features of ongoing systems development in the context of scale. The thought of Philip Selznick, E.F. Schumacher, and Baruch Spinoza, may appear an awkward, unlikely trio. Nonetheless, they each provide distinct, valuable contribution when viewed together. This is achieved by examining the philosophical relationship between communitarianism and liberalism, a complex social systems approach to fundamental macroeconomic phenomena, and finally the theoretical and practical implications of a particular ethical enrichment of liberal societies. In doing so, the features and challenges of modern political economy is effectively framed by these three thinkers, while setting out a framework for further progress toward optimally, justly governed liberal democracies. This paper forms the start of an ongoing, integrative project for rethinking some core aspect of modern political theory, in the interest of systems change.
The quest for meaning, and a paradigm shift, in an age of environmental risk has led many to hete... more The quest for meaning, and a paradigm shift, in an age of environmental risk has led many to heterodox epistemologies that places human action at odds with ecocentrism, favouring a particular metaphysical route to ecological awareness through spiritualisms. While this is in response to increasing evidence of the anthropogenic impacts upon Earth systems, perspectives have become attracted to various radical naturalisms. The thought of Baruch Spinoza is a pertinent example of a philosophy that has been appropriated by eco-centrists to justify a hierarchy of being that puts "nature" above the humane. This paper will take the opportunity to succinctly level an argument, that has seemingly not yet been made, against such a paradoxical framing of Spinoza's philosophical principles. Making clear the most fundamental aspects of Spinozan theory, and then how it ties into applicational affairs, is the aim herein. This will be achieved by commenting on three aspects of the conception of nature and the "natural" by Spinoza, to demonstrate that the theory is distinct from other forms of spiritualism. In this manner, it can be made clear that a binary positioning of human will and natural order is not only irrelevant, but contrary, to Spinozan spiritualism. Contravening the anthropologies currently in vogue, Spinozism returns the focus to rationalism and human capability in an original systems perspective.
Bristol Policy Review, 2019
Hello reader, and welcome to the second issue of the Bristol Policy Review.
Bristol Policy Review, 2019
Dissertation, 2019
As a resource, water faces distributional issues that makes inequity a primary concern for social... more As a resource, water faces distributional issues that makes inequity a primary concern for social policy, and a “wicked” problem from a theoretical perspective, and in light of environmental uncertainty. To adequately frame relevant welfare considerations, key social dimensions may be located at the heart of an approach to water governance. In considering a number of significant social features of community contexts, and how this impacts their interaction with water resources, the concept of water welfare is defined. A case study method is used to view governance challenges from a wide social perspective. Issues in India, the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, and the Volta River Basin are used to explore common themes, and demonstrate how water challenges correspond to different social need contexts. This evaluation makes clear that there are methods of governance that can be improved with shifts in governance approaches toward more inclusive, community-based water governance. The outcome of this is an discussion of modern, tailored policy innovations that might reduce precariousness and water inequality, while building social-hydrological capabilities at community levels across societies. Such innovations can raise water welfare across societies.
Oxford University Research Archive, 2021
In the space of ten years, a number of novel and unique legal developments have arisen in differe... more In the space of ten years, a number of novel and unique legal developments have arisen in different jurisdictions around the world with one element in common: a declaration of the Rights of Nature, and a direct attribution of this jurisprudence to watercourses in their respective contexts. This thesis uses a hydro-socio-legal approach to analysing three of these developments as case-studies, identifying why they have occurred, the tensions involved, and the institutional and governance issues that they seek to address or are responding to. This work frames the analysis around an evaluation of environmental constitutionalism, and legal personhood, which informed their selection. This evaluation is prefaced by a prior discussion of key ideas in the theoretical discourse pertaining to the appropriate form of a right for non-human entities, and whether natural objects can have identifiable, and representable, interests. This work concludes that sufficient sophisticated recognition and processing of information about socio-hydrologies in respective contexts can innovate water law to enable responsive governance regimes, and the achievement of this depends on whether jurisdictions are prepared to open themselves to new approaches, legitimate stakeholder relationships with watercourses, and technological solutions that can enrich empirical understandings of fair resource allocation and utilisation for both nature and society.