Politics and philosophy, discussion and performance: Orwell as prophet; Pinter as protester, and ‘Convenience’ as the new order of our virtual world. LSE Language Centre, in collaboration with the LSE Student Union Drama Society, presents an evening of dramas and discussion.
Since the end of the Cold War there has been continual speculation and discussion regarding the emergence of a New World Order in the apparent vacuum of power which was left. Noam Chomsky pessimistically concluded that New World Order simply meant ‘The New World’ (i.e. the USA) now gave the orders. Dr Kai Spiekermann, an expert on modern alternatives to democracy, and author with Robert Goodin of An Epistemic Theory of Democracy and Masha Karp, author of a new biography of Orwell, consider the extent to which a New World Order can be identified, and in what ways this affirms or contradicts Orwell’s pessimistic, dystopian vision of the future, in Nineteen Eighty-Four, as it approaches its sixtieth anniversary.
The expert discussion will be followed by staged student-led performances of drama, culminating in Pinter’s eponymous sketch – a nerve wracking vision of the emerging scourge; and an award winning Scott Hunter’s ’Convenience’ – a witty and thought provoking reflection on the new order of the media-driven virtual world.
Masha Karp is a freelance journalist with a special interest in relations between Russia and the West. Her articles have been published by The Independent, Standpoint, The Spectator, Open Democracy, Common Review. Masha was Russian Features editor (1997-2009) and previously a producer (1991-1997) with the BBC Russian Service.
Dr Kai Spiekermann, Associate Professor of Political Philosophy and Doctoral Programme Director in the LSE Department of Government.
Dr Olga Sobolev is Language Co-ordinator (Literature and Russian) at LSE's Language Centre.
Dr Angus Wrenn is Co-ordinating Language Teacher (EAP) with special responsibilities for Literature at LSE's Language Centre.
Twitter hashtags for this event: #LSEFestival #NewWorldDisorders
This event is part of the LSE Festival: New World (Dis)Orders running from Monday 25 February to Saturday 2 March 2019, with a series of events exploring how social science can tackle global problems. The full programme will be online in January 2019.
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