Mohammed A. Bamyeh: Anarchy as Order: The History and Future of Civic Humanity (2009)

This original and impressively researched book explores the concept of anarchy—”unimposed order”—as the most humane and stable form of order in a chaotic world. Mohammed A. Bamyeh traces the historical foundations of anarchy and convincingly presents it as an alternative to both tyranny and democracy. He shows how anarchy is the best manifestation of civic order, of a healthy civil society, and of humanity’s noblest attributes. The author contends that humanity thrives on self-regulation rather than imposed order, that large systems are inherently more prone to tyranny than small systems, that power is the enemy of freedom, and that freedom and community are complementary rather than opposing values. He concludes that a more rational world is produced not by delegated representatives but by direct participation in common affairs.

Bamyeh offers a concise philosophy of anarchy in the context of war, civil society, global order, experiences of freedom, solidarity, the evolution of modern states, and tax systems. He distinguishes anarchy from more familiar ways of thinking about the relationship between state and society that highlight the importance of power and control for social order. Further, he argues that the necessity for expert guidance or social collaboration in some areas of common public life does not require such areas to be run by a grand, overarching, or representative state. A cogent and compelling critique of the modern state, this provocative book clarifies how anarchy may be both a guide for rational social order and a science of humanity.

Publisher Rowman & Littlefield, 2009
World Social Change series
ISBN 0742556735, 9780742556737
241 pages

review (David Baronov)

publisher
google books

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Stephen Duncombe: Notes from Underground: Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture, 2nd ed (1997/2008)

Much history and theory is uncovered here in the first comprehensive study of zine publishing. From their origins in early 20th century science fiction cults, their more proximate roots in ‘60s counter-culture and their rapid proliferation in the wake of punk rock, Stephen Duncombe pays full due to the political importance of zines as a vital network of popular culture. He also analyzes how zines measure up to their utopian and escapist outlook in achieving fundamental social change. Packed with extracts and illustrations, he provides a useful overview of the contemporary underground in all its splendor and misery.

Edition 2
First published by Verso, 1997
Publisher Microcosm Publishing, 2008
ISBN 1934620378, 9781934620373
256 pages

publisher
google books

PDF (no OCR; updated on 2012-11-4)

Limina No. 1: Unidentified Narrative Objects – New Video Production and New Media Art (2010) [Italian/English]

This journal is the first of a series written by members of the Ph.D Planetary Collegium M-Node, and published by NABA Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano. The series will be a collection of reflections and observations by the Ph.D researchers who are part of the programme, and by interpreters of the contemporary digital culture.

The Ph.D Planetary Collegium is an international network of research based on the rapport between art, design, philosophy, technology and science, which welcomes researchers from all over the world. It has been founded by Roy Ascott, a pioneer in telematic and cybernetics art, whose work has developed in the fields of arts, technologies and consciousness.

Questo volume inaugura una serie di testi di ricerca realizzati a cura del Programma dottorale Phd Planetary Collegium – M-Node ed editi dalla Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti di Milano. Una raccolta di riflessioni e di osservazioni realizzate dai ricercatori che partecipano al programma e da interpreti della cultura digitale contemporanea.

Editor: Francesco Monico
Scientific advisory committee: Francesco Monico, Derrick De Kerchkove , Antonio Caronia, Pier Luigi Capucci
Publisher M-Node, NABA Libri, Milan, May 2010
ISBN 978-88-95286-07-5
212 pages

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