what IS sociology if not a critical mode of analysis and discourse devoted
to making sense of complex issues in society, contemporary and past -
those of us involved in debate in this company of colleagues are
unavoidably engaged in a critique of political positions adopted on the
basis of some kind of ssocial analysis and understanding.
I do not agree that the attempt to promote the institutional academic
boycott is 'anti-sociological' in so far as it is a political action based
on an analysis of the historical, political-economic and sociological
situation in a particular region of the world that has serious
implications not only for those living in the societies and social
formations directly concerned but also for those living elsewhere but
indirectly concerned in various ways.
The contemporary crisis of Palestinian/Israeli politics is deeply
associated with the historical realities and the different perceptions
(American, European, Middle Eastern) of the development of Israeli and
Palestinian society, the sociology of the British Mandate, European
visions of Arab and Jewish society in the territory, and Arab and Jewish
perceptions of possible futures during the first half of the 20th century.
If European sociologists are not interested in these issues and their
significance, then shame on them.
david seddon
> Dear Rene,
>
>
>
> Thank you for your intervention. However, I feel it was misplaced. The
> attempt to raise a boycott was itself anti-sociological, because it
> would silence rather than open dialogue.
>
>
>
> I feel very strongly that in this crisis sociological understanding is
> important, when it is distanced from campaigns for the partisan
> promotion of ideological positions.
>
>
>
> I agree that some of the postings have been outside the terms of use of
> the list, but I hope you do not mean that European sociology should not
> reflect on and engage sociologically with politics and political issues.
>
>
>
>
> For instance, the last three postings have drawn attention to sources
> that are sociologically relevant to the current crisis which had been
> raised as an issue on this list by the email campaign for a boycott.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Dr Michael S. Drake
>
> Lecturer and Undergraduate Programme Director for Sociology
>
> Department of Social Sciences
>
> University of Hull
>
> Cottingham Road
>
> Hull
>
> HU6 7RX
>
>
>
> Tel.: +44 (0)1482 465770
>
> email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Newsletter of the European Sociological Association (ESA)
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bekkers, R.
> (Rene)
> Sent: 09 January 2009 14:19
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: please discuss politics elsewhere
>
>
>
> Dear members,
>
>
>
> This is a message from one of the European-sociologist list managers.
> I'd like to remind all of you that the list is intended as a tool
> facilitating cooperation and discussion in European sociology. See
> http://www.europeansociology.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
> id=17&Itemid=36
>
>
>
> We've seen quite some postings in the past weeks discussing an academic
> boycott. As these messages concerned academic matters, I felt there was
> no need to close or moderate the list. But lately the messages sent to
> the list seem to get less and less connected to research and teaching in
> sociology. So this is a gentle reminder to all of you of the purpose of
> the list. There are plenty of opportunities to discuss politics and
> matters not related to European sociology elsewhere on the internet.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Rene Bekkers
>
> European-sociologist list manager
>
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