Essay-Writing-Service.co.uk The Strategy associated with the hegemony of the New Right
What does Kaushik Sunder Rajan learn as he investigates in Hyderabad
and Mumbai, In Silicon Valley, and in the company GeneEd about the
relationship between science and capitalism, and between nationalism
and globalisation? Briefly describe his investigations in each of these
locations and summarize what he learns about these relationships in
What does Tiziana Terranova explore in her chapter on 'Free Labour'?
Briefly explain how she shows us exploitation is still at work in this new
world of information? What does she mean by 'the biological turn' in the
chapter of the 'Soft Control'? Briefly explain.
Both Rajan and Terranova are concerned with society being subjected to
a biological strategy. How do they see the relationship between this
strategy and work and profit? How do their books reinforce each other
and help us to understand this moment in capitalism? How, if at all, do
they differ in their analysis of this moment?
3- http://www.theclassofthenew.net by Richard Barbrook
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1.- Science and Capitalism: The Biotechnology and High Technology
2.- Nationalism and Glocalisation: The New Transnational Society.
3.- Free Labour, Exploitation, and Proactive Synergy.
4.- Soft Control, Biological Turn and the New Scientific Paradigm.
5.- Biological Strategy: Work, Profit, and Ethical Issues.
6.- The New Emergent, Turbulent and Creative Business World.
7.- Universalist Worldview, Eudaimon Outlook, and a Perfect Future.
Strategy, tactics and logistics (resources) work together in any
business enterprise to make it successful in the first place. Now we are
concerned with the glocalisation (global-local) (Glocalisatio 2006; Think
Globally, Act Locally 2006) process in the international integration of free
markets, and this is a new scenario for the New Right to strive for its
hegemony in the worldwide arena centrered on the United States as the
dominant nation-state. But this hegemony can be overtaken by the
European Union or the Asian nations as integrated economic blocks on
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The new economy will rely on biotechnology and high technology
as its foundation. The books Network Culture and Biocapital, as well as
the book The Class of the New by Richard Barbrook, deal with the new
trends in these technoscientific fields and their implication for a new
order in the emergent Knowledge Society.
In this essay, we discuss and critically review two books that seem
to have much in common in showing the trends of a global culture whilst
at the same time unraveling the factors that seem to contribute to
changes in political economy from a Universalist worldview.
We analyse these books and their ideas in some detail. At the end of the
road, we can be optimistic about the future of Humankind. This
conclusion is possible due to the Universalist teleology that can be found
beneath the surface of these books, including also the book The Class of
the New by Richard Barbrook, the Universalist theological teachings of
John Scottus Eriugena (810-877) and the Universalist position of Adolph
E. Knoch (1874-1965). This insight into the future can be applied to the
business world taking into account the implications of all the sources
1.- Science and Capitalism: Biotechnology and High Technology.
Biocapital, by Kaushik Sunder Rajan, is a theoretical contribution
to political economy grounded in genomic research and drug
development procedures. Biocapital sets out a socio-theoretical and
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cultural debate on the nature of values, knowledge, belief systems across
nations and religions within the context of productive enterprises and
marketing forces. Biocapital puts forth a social and theoretical debate on
the nature and production of values, knowledge, belief systems, and
brings out the attributes of religion and nation with regard to productive
enterprises. The conceptual debates of cultural anthropology identified
by Rajan set out methodological questions on comparative ethnography,
value generation and knowledge production in a globalised world.
Biocapital is a new theoretical dimension added to political economy
grounded in genomic research and drug development procedures. Rajan
shows that biotechnologies are related to economic markets in which
they emerge. In the book, Rajan deals with integration of several issues
including the global flow of ideas, information, capital and people in the
Rajan’s research was conducted for five years and brings out the
relationship between market forces and biotechnology projects and the
phenomenon of technoscientific capitalism. Several issues discussed
here deals with notions of biopolitics, and how life sciences and
biotechnology has economic and epistemic value within a global context.
Rajan’s approach to integration of biotechnology and financial markets
showing the role of policymakers and capitalists brings forth the central
position of a global economy and capitalist markets.
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The case study in Mumbai concentrated on the Wellspring Hospital
facility, which specialises in providing clinical trials for pharmaceutical
companies. The state-of-the-art hospital is not designed to treat patients,
but to provide subjects on which new pharmaceuticals can be tested.
Rajan notes that this facility has been located in poor area, whilst most
new private hospitals designed to treat patients are located in wealthy
areas. Rajan suggests this is no co-incidence, that the facility was
deliberately situated so that it could take advantage of the large
unemployed population of ex textile workers, as cheap recruits to its
The facility is designed to provide clinical trials not only for Indian
companies but also for the international market, as emphasised by the
Genomed board member, who admitted that one of the advantages of the
facility was that it could offer a broad cross section of the world’s
populations. This must raise ethical issues, over whether it is right that
pharmaceutical companies should test drugs which are being primarily
developed for rich western markets to be tested on poor people in
developing countries. Hence the development of a global pharmaceutical
industry creates a difficult ethical dilemma. It is in the interests of the
industry to conduct clinical trials in the lowest cost, least regulated
location, but this may lead to the exploitation of vulnerable populations,
whose poverty makes them willing to participate in trials.
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There is a clear relationship between science and capitalism in the
context of the Biocapital based on the business dealings of biotechnology
and high technology businesses interactions. This relationship brings
about serious ethical issues about genetic manipulation and population
reduction in which an biocapitalist elite decides who lives and who dies.
2.- Nationalism and Glocalisation: The New Transnational Society.
Rajan considers the central theme of biocapital as that ‘which asks
questions of the implications for life sciences when performed in
corporations, and for capitalism, when biotechnology becomes a key
source of market value’ (p.1). Rajan follows the methodology of multi-
sited ethnography. Rajan studied ‘the responses of academic and
industrial scientists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and policy
makers - in two distinct national environments, the United States and
India, as they shape and come to terms with these emergent technologies
and emergent political economies’. The technological and political
economies of the two countries being distinctly different, Rajan especially
highlights not just the nationalistic cultures and politics as well as
marketing environments of these different countries but also shows how
these economies shape the scientific industries in these cultures.
Considering the relationship between biotechnological innovation,
development and marketing and the role of market forces and corporate
economy, Rajan work is focused on ‘tracking and theorizing the co-
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production of an emergent technoscientific regime - that of biotechnology
in the context of drug development - with an emergent political economic
regime that sees the increased prevalence of such research in corporate
locales, with corporate agendas and practices’.
This suggests that Rajan’s work is mainly based on unraveling the
underlying politics and culture of market forces and their relationships
with biotechnological processes and systems. Terranova also unravels
the underlying politics of communication and information transmission
and the relationship between media and global culture. Both books show
the significance of political motives in channeling a global culture using
the economic processes as central to the social change that they bring
Even though for India there is a nationalist position at stake and
for the United States there is a salvationist or messianic component in its
glocalisation efforts, it is clear that this integration process means
different things to different nations and cultures. In business terms, a
new strategy has to be unfolded in order to conciliate nationalism and
3.- Free Labour, Exploitation, and Collaboration.
Tiziana Terranova concept of free labour relates to the contribution
made by unpaid volunteers or amateurs to the internet economy. The
internet has been formed by a diverse group of organisations and
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individuals, which has included public sector, corporations and
voluntary contributions from private individuals. The contribution by
‘free labour’ can take many forms, whether it is the creation of content or
the modification of software. Whilst much the time, the activities of free
labour is independent of corporate activity on the net, some companies
have succeeded in harnessing this unpaid labour for their own purposes.
AOL attracted over 30,000 volunteers as community leaders and helped
AOL generate $7m a year in profits. Netscape and other providers of open
source software provided free access to their software and encouraged
community of open source software programmers to use their labour to
modify and generate applications. The companies themselves were not of
course entirely altruistic in their behaviour. The companies sought to
benefit from the adoption of open-source programs by providing technical
support, packaging regular upgrades, etc. Terranova seems to question
the morality of the exploitation of free labour by companies and venture
capitalists. The companies attempt to tailor the internet to their own
purposes, enabling them to benefit financially from the labours of others.
A number of online practices has been taken up and discussed by
Terranova who also brings out the contemporary forms of political
engagement through a digital culture taking into consideration the
Marxist concept of Intellectual Capital and immaterial labour. The
internet has an open architecture and the emphasis is on
communication protocols and challenges identified by movements
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against global capital and war. With the advent of World Wide Web,
online practices seem to have changed over the past years especially in
terms of community formation and global opinions within networking
Terranova’s work is however focused on the concept of free labour
and highlights the concept of anarcho communism and net related
unpaid labour outside wage relations. According to Terranova, free
labour is ‘a desire of labour immanent to late capitalism’ (p.94). She also
claims that anti capitalist potentialities and movements should be
examined with a certain amount of scepticism. Terranova also discusses
different aspects of soft control that turns labour potentialities to capital
continued reproduction. Relating her discussion to free labour, Network
Culture also explores the virtual movements of the 21st century
highlighting the role of cyber-organisations as central to any movement,
control or even labour issues. Terranova seems to go beyond the concept
of immaterial labour and suggests that the work of writing, reading,
participating in chats and discussion forums generally could not be
counted within abstract labour and also suggests that a multitude is not
rooted in class formation although she does not seem to deny the
existence of the stratification of class and identity (p.130).
Network culture emphasizes that changes within information
transmission and communications methods will not need a strategy
according to a predefined pathway as laid out by specialists or theorists.
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Although strategy has been defined as a collective attempt in developing
a sense of direction in whatever is done. Network culture brings out the
dynamics of power relations as well as opportunities, threats, strengths
Network culture provides a theoretical platform and uses insights
from physics, biology, computing, cybernetics and philosophy to show
the relations of power governing information technology and practices
used within the internet systems. Terranova brings out the processes
and non linear sequence of events to show the importance of cultural
moments within network culture. In defining and describing network
culture, Terranova suggests that the book is “an attempt to give a name
to, and to further our understanding of, a global culture as it unfolds
across a multiplicity of communication channels but within a single
The discussion here is related to Free Labour and Soft Control,
although chapter wise the discussion are geared to analysis of
information theory, structural evolution of the internet, the role of the
knowledge worker and free labour in the digital economy, as well as
theoretical underpinnings such as evolution of biological computation,
emergent intelligence and self controlling systems such as cellular
automata. The relationship between intensification communication and
emergence of masses referred to as social entropy would be able to
decipher the role of information and communication within the new
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emergent and turbulent organisations. Terranova also analyses the
different aspects of digital economy and suggests that free labour is not
completely restricted to digital economy and is an advanced source of
value in capitalist societies. The meaning of the word ‘free’ has been dealt
with both in the context of the digital economy and cultural economy.
The concept of free labour seems to be intricately connected to the
working model of capitalist production. Thus even within the culture of
digital economy and free labour, exploitation is still at work at various
levels and could be explained considering the different aspects of politics
and culture within the new economy. Terranova writes , ‘Free labour is
the moment where this knowledgeable consumption of culture is
translated into excess productive activities that are pleasurably
embraced and at the same time often shamelessly exploited . . . These
types of cultural and technical labour (web design, multimedia
production, digital services, chat, real-life stories, mailing lists, amateur
newsletters) are not produced by capitalism in any direct, cause-and-
effect fashion, that is they have not developed simply as an answer to the
economic needs of capitalism. However, they have developed in relation
to the expansion of the cultural industries and they are part of a process
of economic experimentation with the creation of monetary value out of
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Terranova further writes on Free Labour that “Free labour is a
desire of labour immanent to late capitalism, and late capitalism is the
field which both sustains free labour and exhausts it. It exhausts it by
undermining the means through which that labour can sustain itself:
from the burn-out syndromes of Internet start-ups to under-
compensation and exploitation in the cultural economy at large.”
4.- Soft control, Biological Turn and the New Scientific Paradigm.
Terranova’s study is related to the politics of the digital culture and
shows the various social and cultural dimensions of networking and
communication across cultures and beyond geographical limitations. The
politics of the emerging digital culture as emphasised in Terranova’s
analysis bring out the social, cultural and political dimensions of
networking technologies. Terranova focuses on the debates in cultural
theory and politics, and discusses concepts on cyberorganising and
brings out political and social issues related to contemporary topics of
biological computation, turbulent media culture, free labour and an
emergent global economy. The new forms of communication have been
highlighted and Terranova examines how communication has helped to
transform identity, politics, democracy and the structure and functions
of organisation. The book highlights online debates and discussions on
several contemporary issues and focuses on the control policies and
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power in societies and the political opinions that seem to be framed by
The book on Network Culture tends to focus on the dynamics
between internet culture and contemporary theoretical epistemologies
about the organizations of the future. In fact, Terranova highlights the
conflicts of interest that are seen in networking cultures. Terranova
provides different critical perspectives and original arguments on various
dimensions of politics, sociology and cultural anthropology within the
context of internet culture and global organisations according to the
biological computation model as explained by John von Newmann’s
Cellular Automata System. It can also be explained away to the new
trends in Physics regarding the String or Super String Theory. (Schwarz
5.- Biological Strategy, Work, and Profit.
Both Rajan and Terranova would agree that changes in technology
are having a great impact on society. Rajan emphasis is on how the
impact of ‘biocapital’ on society and how different cultures are effected by
it. Rajan looks at attempts to transplant Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial
culture into India by the Indian ex pat community and politicians
through a top down approach. Rajan sees the contradiction in these
policies which essentially uses state intervention in subsidising facilities
to encourage an entrepreneurship within Indian biotech. Terranova
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would also see this contradiction with her belief in the ‘biological turn’,
which could be used to describe the complex interplay of factors, which
create the entrepreneurial culture in the Silicon Valley. Where Rajan
might believe the difficulty in transferring this entrepreneurial culture to
India reflects fundamental differences between the cultures of the two
regions. Terranova’s book would suggest that the problem with such a
top down approach is that it ignores the biological nature of such
scientific and technological hubs, which is not governed by a guiding
hand, but by the interaction of a multitude of different entities. The lack
of a single control system and complexity of such a system would make
such an intervention all but impossible.
6.- The New Emergent and Turbulent Business World.
Both Terranova and Rajan provide theoretical insights and make
substantial contribution to political economy. Whereas Terranova deals
with the use of information and communication in a global economy
through digital media, Rajan shows the contribution of global economy
and financial markets in bringing out the changes within the
biotechnology industry. Rajan proposes an integration of biotechnological
procedures with the approaches of financial markets whereas Terranova
focused on the integration of communication and information systems
with the digital media to affect the global economy. Both authors bring
out the political frameworks of the global economy as related to web
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media communications or biotechnological innovations and both authors
use theoretical perspectives to highlight their individual cases and
Rajan discusses values and belief systems to focus on
ethnographical changes and issues and uses the concept of
technoscientific capitalism. Terranova also focuses on cultural
dimensions and politics of communication as the underlying factors for
social change. Both authors use wide range of social and political
dimensions in explaining their viewpoints and whereas Rajan’s analysis
brings out the relationship between capitalism, globalisation, science and
nationalism, Terranova focuses on capital and global economy and its
relationship with web media, politics and information technology. Both
books seem to reinforce each other and show how strategy and politics
are set up at the centre of profits and economic pursuits. Both Rajan
and Terranova highlight the economic impact of
information/communication or biotechnological innovation and offer
substantial analysis of the role of capitalist economies, market forces and
politics in global culture of networking or technological marketing.
7.- The Future According to Universalism.
Biological computation, Cellular Automata Systems, emergent
economies, and soft control imply an epistemic framework that can be
confirmed through a universalist teleology like that of A. E. Knoch,
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translator of the Concordant Bible (Concordant Publishing Concern
2005). Knoch states the following about Universal Reconciliation:
“It is usual to view this subject from the depths of the sinner's doom. But let us rather
view it from the heights of God's glory, and rejoice that He who was made sin for us, will
yet, by the power of His cross, undo all the Devil has done, and sweep every sign of sin
from Gods universe. (…) Picture to yourself a perfect universe! Not a trace of sin or of
transgression to eclipse the effulgence of God's love! Not an impulse of His affection but
receives an instant and thrilling response from every heart. What a marvelous harvest of
redemption that will be! How potent the cross through which it comes! How glorious the
God who purposed and perfected such a reconciliation!” (Knoch 2006).
As can be inferred by reading Richard Barbrook’s book alongside the works of
Knoch, there will be one coin, one world ruler, one glocal (globa-local) economy. This
Unitarian system will be integrated as a real unity (see I Corinthians 15:20-28).
Universalism is not a new trend. It has been around for a long time in
the works of John Scottus Eriugena (Moran 2004) and Aristotle’s concept
It is relevant to take a look at the universal implications of control
and the ethical issues that arise from the wrongful use of biotechnology
and high technologies. The biological computation model (Cellular
Automata System) is a universalist model that can bring a new meaning
to economic endeavors in an emergent new global economic order.
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The class of the new according to Richard Barbrook is the one
“making new things in new ways with new technologies” as “the only
prerequisite for membership of the class of the new”. (p. 31). In this line
of thinking Barbrook concludes his essay stating that “when everyone
can participate within the General Intellect, creativity will no longer be a
privilege. The class of the new will then be superseded by th civilization
of humanity.” (p. 48). The future is bright according to any of the
The Class of the New. (2005). (online). Available from
<http://www.theclassofthenew.net>. (Accessed January 2, 2007).
“In Memoriam. Adolp Ernst Knoch (1874-1965).” (2005, December 5). (online). The
Concordant Bible. Adapted from volume 56, number 3 of Unsearchable Riches
magazine. Available from <http://concordant.org/expohtml/FaithfulLaborers/aek1.html>.
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Wikipedia (2006, November 7). (online). Available from
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glocalization>. (Accessed January 11,
“Virtue Ethics.” (2003, Fall) (online). The Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Available from
<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2003/entries/ethics-virtue/>.
The Reconciliation of the Universe. (2006, August 12). (online).
Concordant Publishing Concern. Available from
<http://www.godstruthfortoday.org/Library/knoch/TheReconciliation.ht
John Scottus Eriugena, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter
2004 Edition). (online). Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Available from
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<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2004/entries/scottus-
Biocapital : the constitution of postgenomic life / Kaushik Sunder Rajan.
Durham, N.C. : Duke University Press ; Chesham : Combined Academic
The Official String Theory Web Site (2003).
Available from <http://superstringtheory.com/basics/index.html>.
Network culture : politics for the information age / Tiziana Terranova.
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Wikipedia (2006, November 19). (online). Available from
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_globally,_act_locally>. (Accessed
ATTENTION DEFICIT After completing this educational activity, HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER { Discuss the occurrence and distribution of ADHD from childhood through adulthood. { Outline the current understanding of the causes of { Discuss the impact of ADHD symptoms on function. { Discuss teaching-related practices that have been found to be useful with students with ADH
Preliminary programme (February 28, 2010) Monday September 6th 08.00-09.00 Registration and coffee in the exhibition area 09.00-09.15 Welcome and introduction Dr. P.I. Johansson and Dr. J Stensballe 09.15-10.15 Session 1: Critical bleeding – overview of concepts Physiology of massive bleeding (15 min) Damage Control Resuscitation (15 min) 10.15-11.45 Sess