Another essay, “World Refugee Day: Human Dignity in Areas of Exclusion” examines the refugee crisis in a global context. It sheds light on the plight of refugees, highlights the geopolitical factors fueling displacement, and underlines the moral responsibilities of the global community. While advocating a necessary re-evaluation of policies and attitudes towards refugees, the essay struggles to make the case in favor of a more empathetic and humanitarian approach in addressing this serious global issue.
The author turns to the hegemonic operations of the media in the essay “Media, Propaganda and Mass Persuasion” and highlights the ethical or moral responsibilities of the media and journalists in this era of 'digital cool'. The essay discusses the challenges posed by the spread of propaganda and the blurring of traditional media boundaries, and also emphasizes the media literacy of audiences to combat the widespread spread of fake news and misinformation.
The final section of the book, “Social and Political Reflections” explores the socio-political dimensions/dynamics of our complex contemporary reality. Each essay in this volume offers a critical perspective on the complex fabric of social structures, challenging established norms and encouraging thoughtful reflections. For example, the essay, “Pathways to Violence: Reflections on Our Identity Structures”, highlights the concept of state-sponsored violence.
Taking inspiration from the theories of Walter Benjamin, it examines the violence inherent in the legal sphere and system of governance. The author raises the point that violence remains a fundamental aspect of these structures and an inevitable aspect of state power. In this regard, he borrows ideas and insights from Slavoj Zizek, and thus categorizes violence into subjective, objective, and systemic forms, and highlights the implicit systemic violence embedded in social structures.
Relevantly, “Confronting COVID-19: The need for deep change” portrays the recent pandemic not just as a global crisis but as a catalyst for deep social or behavioral change. The issue thus goes beyond a primary health emergency, highlighting how the pandemic has exposed deep social inequalities, and urging a re-evaluation of our relationships with nature as well as our fellow humans. The author calls here for a 'new renaissance', ushering in a significant shift towards a more interconnected, compassionate and authentic way of living.
Another thoughtful essay, “The Politics of Scapegoating” addresses the satanic practice of blaming marginalized groups for the chaos and ills in society. This underlines the divisive nature of scapegoating, which contributes to the production and perpetuation of stereotypes, the inflammation of xenophobia, and the erosion of social cohesion. Such a situation requires a more nuanced and informed approach to tackling social challenges, which aims to move beyond simple but diabolical blame-shifting and promote greater understanding and solidarity.