City, Environment, and Transnationalism in the Philippines: Reconceptualizing "the Social" from the Global South

Seki's ethnography of uncertainty and precarity in the Philippines provides a case study of social protection without a robust welfare state. He explores how people at the margins of global capitalism create security and protection through mobilizing their sociality and networks. The social is experiencing a fundamental reconfiguration in the twenty-first century due to deepening insecurity, risk, and precariousness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Seki's ethnography of uncertainty and precarity experienced by people in urban, rural, and transnational communities in the Philippines serves as a compelling case study of social protection in the absence of a robust welfare state. He delves into various topics such as urban poverty, environmental degradation, and transnational migration, highlighting the diverse ways in which individuals navigate these challenges. Throughout these chapters, Seki intricately explores the modes of security and protection that people living at the margins of global capitalism establish through mobilizing their sociality and networks. He traces the evolving configuration of the social, a collective and interconnectedness that fosters a sense of security in life among individuals. The social, in this context, can be defined as an idea or institution that has enabled formal and impersonal solidarity, akin to the foundations of modern welfare states in the West during the mid-20th century. However, in the twenty-first century, the social is undergoing a fundamental reconfiguration as it confronts deepening insecurity, risk, and the precariousness of the post-Welfare State or post-Fordist regime.

In the Philippines, amidst contemporary insecurity and precariousness, what are the contours of the social emerging in an unlikely place?

Seki's ethnography is a valuable resource for scholars of the Philippines, as well as anthropology and social policy scholars in the Global South. It sheds light on the complex dynamics of social protection and the resilience of individuals in challenging circumstances. By examining the experiences of people in urban, rural, and transnational communities, Seki provides insights into the ways in which social networks and institutions contribute to individual and collective well-being. His analysis highlights the importance of recognizing the diverse forms of security and protection that exist beyond traditional welfare state structures and the need for policymakers to address the evolving challenges of social inequality and precarity.

In conclusion, Seki's ethnography of uncertainty and precarity in the Philippines offers a rich and insightful perspective on social protection and the challenges faced by individuals in diverse communities. It highlights the importance of mobilizing sociality and networks, recognizing the evolving nature of the social, and addressing the multifaceted dimensions of insecurity and precarity in the twenty-first century. This study contributes to our understanding of social protection and the role of social institutions in shaping the lives of individuals and communities.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032123820