[Usyd_Classics_Events] Critical Antiquities Workshop - Daniela Cammack 'Proximity and Politics' Dec 3

[Ben Brown]

Dear Friends,

At the next Critical Antiquities Workshop, Daniela Cammack (UC Berkeley) will be presenting her paper,


‘Proximity and Politics.’

(see below for the abstract)

Please note, the time of the event has changed.

The event will now be held on Friday, December 3 12:30pm-2:00pm (Sydney time UTC +11). That translates to the following times elsewhere:

UTC: 1.30am-3am
Tokyo: Friday, 10:30am-12pm
Singapore: Friday, 9:30am-11am
Los Angeles: Thursday, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Mexico City/Chicago: Thursday, 7:30pm-9:00pm
New York City: Thursday, 8:30pm-10:00pm

Here is the Zoom link and password:

https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/86217953107?pwd=OXdTNGdqNTJseHIvSXBGTkprZnEvUT09
    Password: 051908

Abstract:

What difference does regular proximity to unknown others make to democratic politics? Many people dislike—even fear—crowds as oppressive, homogenizing, and intolerant, yet they can also be supportive, friendly, even joyful. This paper argues that gathering physically as masses may help to foster collective agency in a way significant for democracy. Drawing on a mix of ancient Greek, Roman, and early modern sources, it proposes that proximity—specifically, being with many unknown others during decision-making processes—helps us to act collectively because it affects our perceptions of the feasibility of potential collective actions, leading us to think “we can do this” and thereby mutually commit to the proposed plan. That effect is especially supported by public mass majority voting, helping to explain both why this procedure is attractive to participants and why outvoted minorities should be willing to commit to plans favored by the majority. Two contrasts bring home the risks and rewards of proximate politics. In ancient Greece and Rome, open mass meetings were routine, whereas modern democracy relies on forms of atomized and virtual participation which commendably support certain kinds of inclusivity but hamstring collective agency by leaving the commitment of others too much to the imagination. And in ancient Greek democracies, assemblies retained the power to convene themselves, whereas in the Roman Republic, convening power lay in the hands of elected officials. That had a detrimental effect: proximity became hitched to populism in a way that continues to look familiar today.

We hope to see you there,
Ben and Tristan


DR BEN BROWN
Classics and Ancient History
School Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator (SOPHI)
Research Seminar Coordinator (CAH)
School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI)
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY NSW 2006
Ph.: 9351 8983; Office: Main Quad J6.07
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