The main essay in this IWMpost issue responds to a pervasive mood of our time. Against the backdrop of several ongoing global crises, from which it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine a way out, apocalyptic visions of the future are booming. However, according to John Palattella, the false prophets of our time confuse the destruction of humanity with salvation. Inspired by Elizabeth Bishop, the author warns against abandoning the necessary work of understanding for the fascination of these visions.
The present issue of the IWMpost is another testimony to IWM’s disciplinary and topical diversity. The contributing authors come from the fields of history, philosophy, political science, economics, anthropology, sociology, theology, media studies, literary studies, art, and investigative journalism. The topics of the essays range from key areas of the IWM’s work—such as democracy, solidarity, and developments in Central and Eastern Europe, including war-torn Ukraine—through to pressing problems of information technology, which are attracting increasing interest worldwide, all the way to gender issues, original perspectives on care, and exciting questions about literature and society. Essays on Vienna’s past and present are not missing this time either.
I hope you enjoy the read!
Evangelos Karagiannis
Download the IWMpost 133 as a PDF
Content
Envisioning the Future
False Prophets, False Promises / by John Palattella
Democracy
Horizonte der Demokratie: Offene Lebensformen nach Walt Whitman / von Till van Rahden und Johannes Völz
The Revolution to Come. The U.S. Election and the Future of Trumpism / by Marlène Laruelle
The Liberal and Illiberal Politics of Rights in East Central Europe / by Michal Kopeček
The Enduring Strength of Bulgaria’s Deep State / by Yavor Siderov
Democracy / Ukraine
War Remakes Ukrainian Media, and Media Remake Ukraine / by Aleksander Palikot
Ukraine’s Constitution and its Guardian Court / by Mikhail Minakov
Ukraine
A New Social Contract for Ukraine and for the World? / by Yuliya Yurchenko
Land After War / by Iryna Zamuruieva
Ukraine / Dimensions of Care
Anthropology of Political Care / by Anastasiia Omelianuk
Dimensions of Care
Care for the Soul / by Darren M. Gardner
Solidarity
The Solidarity Question. Romanian Farmers, Ukrainian Grains, and the European Union / by Stefan Voicu
Technology
Is It Stupid To Think Information Wants To Be Free? / by Lachlan Kermode
The Time to Democratize our Digital Future Has Come / by George Metakides
The Twenties Are Coming / by Holly Case
Literature
Tragedy, The Novel, and Modern Society / by Anna Schubertová
Conversations with Dostoevsky / by George Pattison
Thanatographies: Stories of Loss and Grief / by Jan Musil
Gender
Psychiatry and Women. Status: It’s Complicated / by Prune Antoine
Vienna
Remembering Freud in Vienna: From Exile to Pop Icon / by Slobodan G. Markovich
Der Dritte Mann und der Wiener Schwarzmarkt / von Nathan Marcus
