In Theory

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, May 10, 2013 14:13 - 0 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Walter Benjamin: Language and Translation

Walter Banjamin - part 2 - ceasefire magazine

Walter Benjamin claims that mainstream, common-sense views of language are ideological – but what does he put in their place? What kind of writing practices does he encourage? In the second part of his series on Benjamin, Andrew Robinson discusses various texts on language, translation and mimesis.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Thursday, April 4, 2013 0:00 - 3 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Walter Benjamin and Critical Theory

Walter Benjamin is one of the most influential critical theorists of the early twentieth century. His writings include original theories of the state, fascism and revolution. In the first instalment of a new eight-part series, Andrew Robinson introduces Benjamin's approach, and outlines his methodology.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Thursday, February 7, 2013 0:00 - 0 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard and Activism: A critique

Concluding his series on Baudrillard, capitalism and resistance, Ceasefire columnist Andrew Robinson here provides his own analysis of the usefulness and limits of Baudrillard's theory for activists today. He compares Baudrillard to other theories of crisis and collapse, and asks whether Baudrillard's theory is sufficiently global.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, December 7, 2012 0:00 - 0 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: Catastrophe and Terrorism

Baudrillard's theory of capitalism and resistance includes a novel account of system-collapse, and an unusual theory of the emergence of terrorism. In this week's column, Andrew Robinson explores these aspects of Baudrillard's theory, and their relationship to his call for the return of symbolic exchange.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, October 26, 2012 0:00 - 0 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: The Masses

Josef Váchal's Cry of the Masses (source: vachal.cz)

Continuing his series on Baudrillard, Ceasefire columnist Andrew Robinson explores why the French theorist believes the masses are not just passive conformists in today's world, but rather, a quietly subversive force.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, September 7, 2012 22:42 - 1 Comment

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: Strategies of Subversion

"In the field of language and signs, Baudrillard sees poetry, graffiti and seduction as types of alternative practice which create different ways of relating." (photo: Patrick Giordano)

Having previously explored why Baudrillard rejects the traditional account of revolution, Andrew Robinson this week examines the French thinker's alternative proposals for resistance, including Baudrillard's theories of catastrophe, poetry and seduction.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, August 24, 2012 12:32 - 0 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: From Revolution to Implosion

"Baudrillard terms 1968 the first implosive episode, a 'retraction', a challenge to the hegemony of the social, a violent reaction to social saturation."

Ceasefire columnist Andrew Robinson begins an exploration of what Baudrillard's critique of capitalism has to say about political resistance, and explains why Baudrillard thinks that revolution is now impossible.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, August 10, 2012 0:00 - 4 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: Hyperreality and Implosion

"All cultural forms and media are being absorbed into advertising"

All is not well in the world of the capitalist code. In the latest essay of his series on Jean Baudrillard, Andrew Robinson explores the French thinker's account of the crisis of contemporary capitalism, through three related concepts: hyperreality, fascination and implosion. Robinson shows how, in this theory, too much effectiveness can be counterproductive.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, June 8, 2012 0:00 - 3 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: aleatory power and deterrence

'Jean Baudrillard Was Here' inscribed on the front of a military bunker in Bnaider, Kuwait (Artist: Alia Farid)

In the latest instalment of his series on Jean Baudrillard's ideas, Andrew Robinson explores three distinct concepts: aleatory power, deterrence, and non-war, and explains why, according to Baudrillard, the Gulf War did not take place.

In Theory, New in Ceasefire - Friday, May 18, 2012 11:13 - 2 Comments

An A to Z of Theory | Jean Baudrillard: a new system of meaning

Reality TV: "creating the illusion of watching things as they would be with no cameras there."

In the latest instalment of his series on Jean Baudrillard, political theorist Andrew Robinson explores the implications of the French thinker's theories of 'the code' and 'reproduction' for meaning and communication.