It’s the Stupid Economy Stupid: Part I

The Personal-Interpersonal Ramifications
Embedded in the Economic Reconstitution of Identity?
(A Working Paper)*

The apparent simplicity of harmonized complexity…

1.   Introduction

	In this working paper let me examine possible changes in the constitution of identity reflected in and through recent changes in the nature of the economic market place. Human identity is a continual work in progress and our intersection with others in our economic interactions with others would appear to be as good a place to start in order to investigate changes in how we might go about go about perceiving and re-perceiving the apparent nature and value of each other, and, the apparent nature and value of our own sense/s of identity. (1)

	As both passive and active participants in the marketplace and its economic circulation of value, in and through self-reflection, by various means, our own sense/senses of identity must forever remain a ‘work in progress’ subject to a fluctuating intersection of apparent continuities of value and discontinuities within the same along with the emergence of new directions and the re-emergence of older directions in these processes of value-formation. Moreover, an examination of this ongoing process of reconstitution should provide us with a contemporaneous understand of changes in these processes of personal and cultural identity-formation. Furthermore, an appreciation of contemporary changes in our overall economic interactions should provide us with a laboratory in order to better study such transitions in identity-formation. Even if identity were essentially intrinsic and fixed, still, our perception and re-perception of the same must remain a work in progress. By focusing on economic changes in the re-direction of our economic interactions we give ourselves a living laboratory that is relatively prominent in cultural discourse, already highly inter-subjectively examined, practically neutral overall in how identity is and should be re-directed. As a consequence we are presented with an abundant set of proliferating texts also subject to a proliferation of commentary and other forms of meta-comment. In other words, abundant case material for an examination of identity formation on personal, cultural and inter-cultural levels of explication. (2)

	How might we best approach this set of abundant economic texts in order to ascertain re-directions in the apparent reformulation of identity, albeit primarily an economic sense of identity along with processes of re-direction in those same current processes of identity-formation? By examining how such texts themselves are being commented upon, and, through isolating changes in their metaphorical-rhetorical re-constitution we should find mirrored therein how personal and cultural identity is being re-formulated and re-constituted in more general terms of reference. (3)

Latest version paper: www.homestead.com/noelshomepage/noelshomepage3.html 

Now, I am not arguing that this is the only way to do this type of investigation, nor, for that matter, am I arguing that there is a perfect correspondence in translating economic references into fully thematized processes of identity re-formation. However, I would like to argue that a relative integrity in identity formation must be in evidence by virtue of the fact that we must operate with some degree of collective intentional integrity in all spheres of human existence. And, that this integrity would be reflected in all our trails of textual deposition. Given an adequate interpretative framework we should be able to explicate these general changes in identity formation – a processes assisted through noting how old and new metaphors are emphasized and/or de-emphasized in the chronological course of textual formation and deposition. This research paper concentrating on economic texts, their allied forms of commentary along with our own examinations of their utilization of metaphorical content (in their associated patterns of rhetorical utilization). (4)

	In other words, in this paper, let us re-examine how identity is being re-formed personally, culturally and inter-culturally through an economic lens by focusing on rhetorical changes in metaphorical input. Using the summarization of such texts, in this regard, as a tool for focusing on this aspect of contemporary identity re-formation. In the process isolating apparent continuities and discontinuities in metaphorical formation along with the emergence and re-emergence of newer and older patterns of metaphoricalization. Let us examine these ‘gear-changes’ in current processes of economic and political re-direction in order to ascertain what impact they might have upon processes of identity formation. (5)

	In the light of recent work on complexity in a series of ecological papers, an examination of proliferation and the sequentially treated nature of historical reflection, etc., lets us focus on these re-directions in economic policies and their allied metaphor in order to re-evaluate apparent changes in this re-constitution of contemporaneous identity. (6)

2.   New Directions Adopted in the Course of a Global Economic Crisis

	Is it possible to steer a middle course in economic policy between under-regulation and over-regulation? The former seems to be one of the root causes behind the current global economic crisis along with greed and an over-proliferation of financial devices that poorly reflected their underlying economic realities. Obviously there is a need for the re-instigation of adequate processes of supervision. Over-regulation seems to be a root cause in the immolation and collapse of centrally planned economies. How might this balance between too little regulation and too much regulation be observed lest we swing towards too much regulation given a natural tendency for a proliferation of regulations in a climate where we no longer actively seek their dismantling? (7)

	Then, another stark choice we must confront is to decide how much emphasis should be put on the individual versus the collective, and, with respect to the latter, how might this be divided between an engaged sense of the social and the demands of the state? (8)

	In bringing an ethical dimension to economic decision making we also need to ask, on a situation by situation basis, to what extent intrinsic-like deontological considerations should be invoked versus the extent extrinsic-like pragmatical considerations should also be invoked? This complexity of approach being already mapped out for us within the mechanics and dynamics already present in the operation of our appropriation of the relevant genres that might need to be adopted and adapted! Malformation in this process of adoption and adaptation being treated as a sequential mistake (i.e., through processes of mis-sequentialization, de-sequentialization, contra-sequentialization and dis-sequentialization). (9)

	A recognition that complex negotiations are usually already pre-mapped out for us and need only to be re-appropriated should be fostered. That our understanding of novel-type situations needs only our recognition of the nature of the mix of genres being adopted and adapted to proceed adequately within that type of context. (10) 

	Furthermore, numerous other considerations can be progressively resolved along the same lines of engagement, namely, in and through an understanding of the relevant genres being invoked and how they might be better adapted to the relatively unique nature of that situational-context under examination.  (11)

3.   How does this Shift in Genres Reflect on a Re-Constitution of Identity? 

	In the current global economic crisis, in order to resolve this crisis of credit, states have radically intervened in the form of a complete or partial, direct or de facto nationalization of the industries so targeted. This has applied to the fields of insurance, writing of mortgages, investment banking, commercial banking, etc. What ramifications does this have for personal and cultural identity, and, for the nature of the economic and political relations between different cultures and countries? (12)

	In America, e.g., we have the effective collapse of a Republican agenda with its emphasis upon individualism, cultural homogeneity, and a retrospective promotion of a WASP-like program. In its place, symbolized by the incoming presidency of Barack Obama, it would appear that we have an emphasis on inclusion, collective action and conscience, recognition of a need for re-regulation and supervision, etc. Would it not be the case that in such a radical re-alignment of objectives and priorities that a progressively different sense of personal and inter-personal identity will be ‘forged’. ‘Forged’ has two senses here – a sense of manufacture through struggle, and, a sense of faking or simulation. Both senses being able to be invoked since identity is to be seen as being forged through a harmonization and resolution of a process of engaged struggle in some form or other, and, that identity is constituted and re-constituted through processes of reflective simulation and re-simulation to the extent that identity is reflected in and through such processes of constitution and re-constitution. Re-constitution being achieved through moments of both continuity and dis-continuity with the emergence or re-emergence of both old and new modes of operation; i.e., through the adoption of old genres and their re-adaptation through novel processes of the emergent negotiation/re-negotiation of the relevant complexities being navigated. Economic decisions will have corresponding degrees of political ramification, and, political decisions will have corresponding degrees of economic ramification. Both will reflect upon our constitution/re-constitution of identity (be that personal, inter-personal and/or inter-cultural in orientation), and, v.v. Hence our concern to map changes in personal-interpersonal identity in and through perceived changes in economic direction, etc. To what extent, as previously suggested, do metaphors play in these processes apparently involved in a re-constitution of identity? I would suggest that an examination of associated mythic invocations for or against certain courses of action could also be treated in the same vein (by virtue of a similarity in their comparatively applied natures). (13)

	Changes could be seen to be revolutionary to some extent to that degree a discontinuity in identity can be charted. E.g., one might say that with the advent of a American Democratic presidency in 2008 that a minor history or paradigm has replaced what hitherto had been, effectively,  a relatively major discourse, namely, that political power in America generally was a White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant prerogative? A discontinuity has appeared wherein a specific series of texts are now the collective form of a major text, namely, that political power can also be wielded by non-Anglo-Saxons, and by extrapolation, members of other minorities too, etc. Such a shift must have ramification in the shifting of personal-interpersonal power, etc., along with a re-constitution of identity? Would I be correct here? (14)

	In this light, what metaphorical/mythical changes seem to be evident in the American landscape, e.g? What resemblances can we also find in the Australian and European landscapes, etc? (15)

4.   Possible Tectonic Shifts in Psychic Formation?

E.g., increasingly we find people voicing serious misgivings with respect to financial derivatives, etc., to the extent they feel these virtual economies just don’t nor could not reflect a non-virtual economic landscape. Of course people forget that paper money itself, the balances in our bank books and on our bankcards, etc., equally do not have any ‘real’ intrinsic worth other than what society is prepare to honour, etc. In this type of investigation I would argue that there is little difference between a ‘myth’ and a ‘metaphor’ in this respect. Both types of entities are created to make comparisons, namely, between the mythic and non-mythic, and, the literal and the figurative. Obviously, this type of investigation (centered on points of dis-continuity) is effectively a differentiation of structural perceptions/re-perceptions, etc. How might this insight assist us in this type of differential investigation? (16)

	Obviously, the sudden shifts on our economic landscapes and their defense (hitherto in general not adequately well-argued for) will have ramifications for the associated political landscapes… and by extension with respect to shifts in the re-constitution of personal identity, etc. Already an emphasis upon mere individualism appears to have less resonance. In its place we see a shift to a recognition and acceptance of a relatively more deontological, mythic frame of reference. We are exhorted to work together, help each other more, be prepared to be our brother’s keeper, be patient, maintain the faith, etc., etc. That we must work for the common good; be that in a desire for reduced greenhouse emissions or a better functioning economy, more comprehensive education systems or a more accessible system of health care, etc. I am sure these changes in emphasis and redirection of priorities must have consequences for identity formation be that on an individual level, a cultural level or an international trans-cultural level of interaction. (17)

	What are these ‘tectonic shifts’ in re-constitution? In a first world there has been a profound proliferation in modes of consumption and the intensity of their appropriation. But we know the entire world cannot be ‘middle-class’ and act in the same manner as exemplified by the middle-classes in America and Australia, etc.  The natural scarcity of certain goods and services and their resulting escalation in expense would ensure that only those parties capable of outbidding others would success in that type of aspiration, witness the recent escalation in prices for crude oil (and their subsequent drop in price in an anticipated loss of demand as the world appears to be entering a recessive phase of economic interaction?). Undoubtedly, adversity has a habit of re-focusing our energies and challenging us to re-direct our aspirations. (18)

5.   Key Concepts that could be Invoked in this Type of Investigation

	One of my recent themes is that complexity needs to be recognized and faced. In various papers on ecological complexity I have argued that our navigation through the world normally is non-problematical by virtue of the fact that our negotiations in the main are already pre-negotiated for us. The invocation of apposite genres of activity is accompanied by the associated invocation of modes of navigation that generally arbitrate our passage through such complexity! (19)

	Examination of the process of proliferation and the invocation of techniques for managing this natural tendency could also be profitably addressed. Such behaviour continually needs to be adequately addressed (since a tendency for a proliferation of regulations, e.g., arises in both pro-regulatory and anti-regulatory climates). (20)

	Adequate hermeneutic techniques need to be articulated and refined in order to translate from changes in an economic-political spheres of operation to those of a more personal or inter-personal orientation, etc. (21)

	Furthermore, the insightful invocation of adequate genres of activity should also ensure their correct sequential treatment in those situation-types of application; be that in a recognition of behavioural patterns or an amelioration of the same. (22)

6.   Conclusion

	Radical changes in economic practice must have radical implications politically, and v.v. Furthermore, such shifts in practice should also find themselves reflected in how we find ourselves being re-constituted in personal, inter-personal and inter-cultural modes of interaction. I would like to argue that an examination of relevant metaphors and myths might better assist us in this task of discerning such shifts in identity formation that promote and/or are promoted by such processes of re-alignment. That, our passage through such complexity is usually already charted! (23)
							    Noël Tointon, Sydney, 8.11.08.