(Un)timely Crises: Chronotopes and Critique

(Un)timely Crises explores how crises structure time and space, challenging neoliberal governmentality and fostering resistance and alternative visions. It reimagines the relation of crisis with critique and proposes future trajectories for thinking and living in and through crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 101 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Un)timely Crises delves into the intricate relationship between crisis and time, examining its narrative, conceptual, grammatical, and experiential aspects. This collaboratively authored volume expands upon Bakhtin's notion of the chronotope to challenge the mobilization of crises within neoliberal governmentality. The book explores how contemporary crises have the potential to evoke memories and traumas of past events, while also fostering practices of resistance and alternative future visions. By drawing from a diverse range of disciplines and geographical contexts, (Un)timely Crises reimagines the interplay between crisis and critique, offering insightful trajectories for thinking and living in and through crisis.

Introduction:
Un)timely Crises takes a comprehensive approach to understanding the multifaceted nature of crisis. It explores how crisis emerges as a powerful force that shapes not only the temporal dimension but also the spatial dimensions of our lives. By examining the narrative, conceptual, grammatical, and experiential aspects of crisis, the book aims to shed light on the ways in which crises structure time and space, and how they impact our understanding of the world.

Expanding the Chronotope:
One of the key contributions of (Un)timely Crises is its extension of Bakhtin's notion of the chronotope. The chronotope, as conceptualized by Bakhtin, refers to the relationship between time and space in a narrative. In (Un)timely Crises, the authors challenge the traditional understanding of the chronotope and propose a more nuanced and complex interpretation. They argue that crises not only disrupt the linear progression of time but also create new spaces and temporalities that challenge our existing perceptions of reality.

Challenging Neoliberal Governmentality:
The book's central theme is the challenge posed by neoliberal governmentality to the mobilization of crises. Neoliberalism, characterized by its emphasis on market-driven governance, individual responsibility, and the deregulation of social and economic institutions, has been associated with the emergence of various crises, including economic crises, environmental crises, and political crises. (Un)timely Crises seeks to unpack the mechanisms through which neoliberal governmentality shapes the response to crises, and how it perpetuates cycles of crisis and resistance.

Memory and Trauma:
One of the critical aspects of (Un)timely Crises is its exploration of the relationship between crisis and memory. The authors argue that crises have the potential to trigger memories and traumas of past events, which can shape our understanding of the present and influence our responses to future crises. They explore how memories and traumas can be used as tools for resistance and transformation, and how they can contribute to the development of alternative visions of the future.

Resistance and Alternative Visions:
(Un)timely Crises emphasizes the role of resistance and alternative visions in responding to crises. The authors propose that crises can be opportunities for social and political change, and that they can inspire individuals and communities to develop new practices and ideologies that challenge the status quo. They explore how resistance movements, grassroots initiatives, and artistic expressions can contribute to the development of alternative futures and promote a more just and sustainable world.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, (Un)timely Crises is a thought-provoking and insightful book that offers a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between crisis and time. By challenging the traditional understanding of the chronotope and proposing a more nuanced and complex interpretation, the book provides valuable insights into the ways in which crises shape our lives and the potential for resistance and transformation. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of our contemporary world and the challenges we face in navigating it.

Weight: 163g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030749484
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021