The Human Paradox: Worlds Apart in a Connected World

Description

In The Human Paradox: Worlds Apart in a Connected World, author Frank Gaffikin probes widely and meticulously into our past and present to analyse the connections between the many acute polarisations that mark contemporary times. Addressing profound issues related to Trumpism, Brexit, the outbreak of Covid-19 and ensuing pandemic, and environmental change, the book argues that beneath all the present social tumult lies a fundamental dilemma for human stability and progress, namely how we can be estranged from what we refer to as humanity. The book begins with an appraisal of populism and authoritarian nationalism, and later explores whether, in our human development, we are bound for enhancement or extinction. Interrogating these big ideas further, the book identifies three central challenges that confront us as a society: living on the planet, living with the planet, and living with one another on the planet. These challenges prompt a re-think of what it is to be human and social, and hinging on these key themes, the book thus concludes with consideration of a radical agenda for future social improvement. Rather than peering through the conventional lenses offered by separate disciplines, this book argues for interdisciplinary appreciation and recognition, especially so if we are to address the dilemma at the center of its concern. The Human Paradox will appeal to readers interested in the major conflicts of our times, as well as students of subjects including sociology, politics, history, and economics. Cover Endorsement Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Brief Contents Detailed Contents Acknowledgements Prologue A. All Shook Up B. Hello Goodbye PART I All Shook Up 1 What On Earth?: Living in Strange Times The Power of Paradox and the Paradox of Power Testing Times Rival Explanations Let-down Rights and Values Gone Viral Collateral Damage From Local to Global Notes 2 All the Rage: Fear and Loathing in the Politics of Resentment Disestablishing the Global Elite Prophets of Populism Radical Right The Great Replacement Birds of a Feather Rising Nationalism Masculine Toxicity Nostalgia: Not What It Used to Be It’s Complex Notes 3 Mistaken Identity: Pushing People Into Rival Camps Race Ahead The Matter of Black Lives Islamophobia The Last Word Anti-Semitism Mind Your Tongue Cultural Marxism Postmodernism Roots of Culture Wars Politics as Personal Cultural Theft Right On Intersectionality America First Beyond Identity War of Attrition Notes 4 False Economy: The Great Recession and the Ghost of Neoliberalism: Easy Money and Hard Times Funny Money Masters of the Universe? Hard Lessons Hardly Learned Global Problem Hedging Bets As Good as Gold Notes 5 Power Play: Are Markets Our Masters? A New Social Contract Economics: Right and Wrong Politics Now: Same Old, Same Old? Globe Trotting Global Harming Taxing Problem Bankers and Banksters The Revolving Door Taking Back Control Left Behind Out of Order Notes PART II Hello Goodbye 6 Only Human: Making Sense of Sapiens All the Time in the World Leaps and Bounds Genes and Genesis Nurturing Nature Enter Eugenics Species and Specious Cultural Roots Decision and Destiny My Way Notes 7 Dead End: Is Our End Really Nigh? Safety in Numbers? People of Colour Counting and Accountability The Human Age Hot Water Breaking the Ice Before the Deluge Some Hope Beyond the Point of Rescue? The Nuclear Option End Game? Notes 8 Net Effect: The Internet and AI: Connection, Contortion and Control Smart Cookies Pilgrim’s Progress Candid Camera Chinese Whispers Other Nosey Parkers Moral Maze Techlash Mission Creep No Free Lunch Faceless Taking Back Control Digitising Humans Wild Frontier Notes Epilogue The Savvy of Paradox Likely Story More Questions Than Answers Ideology and Idealism Parallel Universes Beyond the Binary Bibliography Index