The structures of uncertainty: performativity and unpredictability in economic operations

Abstract

The paper reflects on the presuppositions and consequences of the concept of performativity (understood as the involvement of the observer in the objects and projects he/she describes). The paper proposes a broader notion of performativity, one that not only concerns theory but is also extended to the entire economy, which observes itself in all of its operations. This conception has the advantage of being connected with critical approaches inside economics, which highlight the central role of uncertainty and surprise. It can explain how and why performativity turns into counter-performativity and how financial operators exploit uncertainty when orienting their behaviour, expecting and using the unpredictability of the future.     

If at first you don't succeed

Political and social stability in advanced capitalist societies is threatened both by the impossibility of achieving full employment owing to automation and the transformation of family life and gender relationships. This article explores explanations of these shifts in Jeremy Rifkin's and Ray Pahl's work. It explores alternative models of employment in which formal work is shared and third-sector work is expanded, underwritten by a cultural shift in which work, success and consumption are traded for free time, balance and self-development.     

Risk illusion and organized irresponsibility in contemporary finance: rethinking class and risk society

Abstract

This paper analyzes the lead-up to and aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to show how processes associated with risk society – the social production and distribution of systemic financial risk in a context of organized irresponsibility – are contributing to the intensification of contemporary class-based inequalities. Utilizing a framework based in Bourdieusian class resources, the analysis moves beyond Beck's rejection of the relevance of class relations to systemic risk, and his critics’ denial that risk transforms existing logics of distribution, to identify key shifts in the relation between contemporary financial risk, power and inequality. The conclusions of this study, showing how systemic financial risk in contexts of organized irresponsibility contributes to differential ‘risk-classes’, suggest that risk is a key source of contemporary inequality and that reconstructing the theory of risk society can illuminate these changes.     

风险社会背景下侵权法的哲学使命

随着风险社会的冲击,侵权法迎来了前所未有的挑战。面对赖以存在的社会事实和社会哲学的剧烈变动,适时改变它的哲学指导根基成为当代侵权法的重要使命。在风险社会的背景下,侵权法应当更多、更深刻的发掘人性内涵,既要清醒地知晓人性之"恶",也要悉心鼓励人性之"善",最终通过侵权法对人格之塑造引导人类走向"善"的生活。自由主义关照下的个人正义已经不能独当侵权责任之大任,社会正义也走进了人们的视野,二者相互影响、水乳交融形成的二重正义观才是当代侵权法的价值追求。     

解放区抗战歌谣的创作范式和审美取向

解放区抗战歌谣的创作理念,始终孕育在中国无产阶级主流意识形态价值观的历史语境之中。以毛泽东《在延安文艺座谈会上的讲话》的发表为标志,解放区抗战歌谣的创作理念、典型塑造、审美取向等都发生了深刻变化,确立了歌谣创作"政治话语,民间表述"的创作原则,塑造了工农兵全新的革命形象,开创了中国革命文艺审美取向的新范式。     

改革开放与跨国（地区）投资历程考察

改革开放30余年,中国从封闭半封闭状态走向对外开放。改革开放前,中外经济关系主要是对外贸易与对外经济合作。改革开放以来的巨大变化突出体现为跨国（地区）直接投资,主要包括“引进来”与“走出去”。始于改革开放初期的“引进来”,发展到“引进来”与“走出去”并行;21世纪初,随着中国加入WTO和政策法规体系逐渐完备,中外之间的跨国（地区）投资进入新的阶段。     

政府重大决策的社会风险评估机制探析

政府在出台重大政策之前,必须注重民众意见,加强调查研究,对其所带来的社会稳定风险进行评估,努力从源头上预防化解社会矛盾,将决策实施的潜在风险降至最低。文章对近几年政府重大决策的社会风险评估机制进行研究,分析不足,提出对策及建议,进而使社会稳定风险管理从单维度向多维度、多点治理模式转变,更好地推进服务型政府建设。     

金融操作风险及其治理

金融操作风险虽然形式多样,但在我国,却主要表现为金融业高管腐败的日趋严重、金融业违规操作的日益严峻、金融违法犯罪的日益猖獗和操纵证券市场的屡禁不止。而监管体系结构的失衡、监管治理机制的薄弱和监管规则的相对滞后等多种因素的综合影响和交互作用,则是根本的症结所在。总之,我国金融操作风险的有效防范和金融业核心竞争力的提高,不仅需要进行监管制度创新,统一金融监管权威,建立存款保险制度,而且应当健全金融法规体系,发展金融同业公会,以构建政府掌舵——市场约束——社会参与的新型金融监管体系。     

货币错配理论研究综述

货币错配是导致发展中国家发生货币危机的重要原因之一。本文对货币错配产生的原因、影响及管理对策进行了简要的梳理和阐述,并针对我国的货币错配现象提出了相应的管理策略。     

输血安全法的比较研究

在世界范围内,关于输血安全的法律调整有一个认识与发展的过程。现今两大法系殊途同归,就血液是产品,实行严格责任,用输血保险转嫁风险等,有了共识与规范。从比较法研究中,我们可以获得启示与借鉴,顺应历史潮流,构建我国输血安全法律制度,促进社会和谐。