Suchergebnisse

Vigilantism is theoretically and empirically important for political science, because it is closely related to core concepts like power, order, state-building, and collective action. Yet although political scientists are increasingly interested in vigilantism, our discipline has never developed a sustained, cumulative research agenda on vigilantism. I argue this is largely because existing definitions of vigilantism are contradictory, tautological, and not easily operationalized. This article cuts through the conceptual muddle, equipping and motivating political scientists to study vigilantism. First, I define vigilantism as the extralegal prevention, investigation, or punishment of offenses. Next, I provide a crisp conceptualization of vigilantism, and I situate vigilantism in relation to other concepts in political science. I conclude by addressing methodological and ethical issues in the study of vigilantism.

Persia in the post-Mongol era is an ambiguous concept. The area is riddled with different ethnicities, religions, and seemingly endless claims to power. The Timurid Empire is no exception to this trend. Temür rises to power in 1370 using Central Asian nomadic styles of ruling and quickly dominates this geographic region inhabited by a plethora of ethnicities and religions. He understands the volatility of maintaining a large, diverse empire and takes key steps in securing his "united" rule. The key political move that this paper examines is Temür's commissioning of art. The art endorsed by the Timurid government surrounds the illumination of manuscripts and the illustration of literature. The Timurids conveyed two main messages to those living under their empire. The first message targets the main ethnic groups: Iranians, Mongols and Turks, justifying Temür as their rightful leader. The second message is delivered to the ethnic minorities, instilling fear to prevent rebellions and ensure subjugation. This paper will demonstrate that the Timurids decided to present political messages through cultural media because they understood the how literature and art were imperative in shaping identity.

Review of Steven Thiry, Matter(s) of state. Heraldic display and discourse in the early modern Monarchy (c. 1480−1650) (Ostfildern: Jan Thorbecke Verlag, 2018, 401 p., ill., index).

In this thesis I write letters in an epistolary style to four artists whose work has influenced my own visual arts practice—Ana Mendieta, Doris Salcedo, Laura Aguilar, and Terri Kapsalis. The manner in which they represent the "other" in their oeuvres—respectfully, without repeating stereotypes, and sometimes elevating the "other" to ecstatic visions—has influenced my work which has to do with victims of medical experimentation, particularly African Americans and women.

Review of Steven Thiry, Matter(s) of state. Heraldic display and discourse in the early modern Monarchy (c. 1480−1650) (Ostfildern: Jan Thorbecke Verlag, 2018, 401 p., ill., index).