Self-Colonization Self-Colonization of Central and of Central and

Eastern EuropeEastern Europe

Alexander Kiossev,Alexander Kiossev,

University of SofiaUniversity of Sofia

Part 1 The Post-Colonial Part 1 The Post-Colonial TurnTurn

Introduction into the Introduction into the mess of conceptsmess of concepts

ColonizationColonization► “…“…Colonialism is the establishment and maintenance, for an Colonialism is the establishment and maintenance, for an

extended time, of rule over an alien people that is separate from and extended time, of rule over an alien people that is separate from and subordinate to the ruling power. It is no longer closely associated subordinate to the ruling power. It is no longer closely associated with the term ›colonization‹, which involves the settlement abroad of with the term ›colonization‹, which involves the settlement abroad of people from a mother country as in the case of the ancient Greek people from a mother country as in the case of the ancient Greek colonies or the Americas. Colonialism has now come to be identified colonies or the Americas. Colonialism has now come to be identified with rule over peoples of different race inhabiting lands separated by with rule over peoples of different race inhabiting lands separated by salt water from the imperial center; [...] Some further features of the salt water from the imperial center; [...] Some further features of the ›colonial situation‹ are: domination of an alien minority, asserting ›colonial situation‹ are: domination of an alien minority, asserting racial and cultural superiority over a materially inferior native racial and cultural superiority over a materially inferior native majority; contact between a machine-oriented civilization with majority; contact between a machine-oriented civilization with Christian origins, a powerful economy, and a rapid rhythm of life and Christian origins, a powerful economy, and a rapid rhythm of life and a non-Christian civilization that lacks machines and is marked by a a non-Christian civilization that lacks machines and is marked by a backward economy and a slow rhythm of life; and the imposition of backward economy and a slow rhythm of life; and the imposition of the first civilization upon the second…the first civilization upon the second…””

► Emerson, Rupert: Colonialism. In:Emerson, Rupert: Colonialism. In: Sills, David L. (Hg.): Sills, David L. (Hg.): International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Bd. 3. New International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Bd. 3. New York, London: Macmillan 1968, pp. 1-5York, London: Macmillan 1968, pp. 1-5

Analysis of the definitionAnalysis of the definition

► RuleRule//domination over alien peopledomination over alien people► Settlers (not necessarily)Settlers (not necessarily)► Distance (salt water)Distance (salt water)► Alien-ness as “different race” (race distance)Alien-ness as “different race” (race distance)► Alien-ness as cultural difference (cultural distance)Alien-ness as cultural difference (cultural distance)► Alien-ness as religious difference (religious Alien-ness as religious difference (religious

distance)distance)► Technological difference (technological distance)Technological difference (technological distance)► Economic differences (economic distance)Economic differences (economic distance)► Different rhythms of life (anthropological distance) Different rhythms of life (anthropological distance) ► Imperial centre Imperial centre

QuestionsQuestions► What is the reason for connecting the “rule” with the What is the reason for connecting the “rule” with the

“imposition of the first civilization upon the second”? “imposition of the first civilization upon the second”? Colonization is more than “rule” it requires imposition of Colonization is more than “rule” it requires imposition of superior civilization by a distant Empire. superior civilization by a distant Empire.

► Why are differences presented as distance and distance – as Why are differences presented as distance and distance – as superiority legitimizing the rule/imposition? superiority legitimizing the rule/imposition?

► The concept of superiority is split: religious (Christian) The concept of superiority is split: religious (Christian) superiority vs. ethnic/racial superiority: reducible vs. superiority vs. ethnic/racial superiority: reducible vs. irreducible (“natural”) superiority.irreducible (“natural”) superiority.

► What is the role of the “salt water”? It implies new type of sea What is the role of the “salt water”? It implies new type of sea transportation, a whole new manly world of sailors after 1492, transportation, a whole new manly world of sailors after 1492, risky voyages into the dangerous “open sea”, sea monsters, risky voyages into the dangerous “open sea”, sea monsters, pirates, savages, adventures, exotic islands, “earthly pirates, savages, adventures, exotic islands, “earthly paradises”… It implies imagination. paradises”… It implies imagination.

What does “imposition of What does “imposition of civilization” mean?civilization” mean?

► Import of institutionsImport of institutions► Power/knowledge: import of cognitive categories supporting Power/knowledge: import of cognitive categories supporting

the rulethe rule► Import of practical know howImport of practical know how► Standardization/NormalizationStandardization/Normalization► Import of legal frameImport of legal frame► Control and sanctions, menagerial skills: GOVERNMENTALITYControl and sanctions, menagerial skills: GOVERNMENTALITYII► import of religion and ideology: the Grand Narrative of import of religion and ideology: the Grand Narrative of

progress, modernization and “the burden of the white man”progress, modernization and “the burden of the white man”► Import of educational modelsImport of educational models► Giving birth to new goals, dreams and longings: import of Giving birth to new goals, dreams and longings: import of

IMAGINATION IMAGINATION

What is “social imagination”? What is “social imagination”? ► ““Social imagination” usually implies a background intuitive knowledge, a body of Social imagination” usually implies a background intuitive knowledge, a body of

stereotypes shared by a community: for Charles Taylor it is a widely shared pre-stereotypes shared by a community: for Charles Taylor it is a widely shared pre-theoretical reservoir of shared perceptions, both descriptive and prescriptive.theoretical reservoir of shared perceptions, both descriptive and prescriptive.

► Here we assume that usually this reservoir is structured as a historical narrative, Here we assume that usually this reservoir is structured as a historical narrative, which rules the dreams, longings and phantasma shared by the members of which rules the dreams, longings and phantasma shared by the members of certain social group. certain social group.

► Next assumption: Colonialism is not only rule over distant territories and alien Next assumption: Colonialism is not only rule over distant territories and alien populations: it is rule over the collective imaginations, over the reservoir of populations: it is rule over the collective imaginations, over the reservoir of dreams, longings and phantasma both of the imperial and the colonized dreams, longings and phantasma both of the imperial and the colonized populations. It is imposition of a Grand Eurocentric Narrative.populations. It is imposition of a Grand Eurocentric Narrative.

► I.e. colonization is not only domination, it is hegemony: internalization of the I.e. colonization is not only domination, it is hegemony: internalization of the hegemonic cultural values, narratives, images - self- stigmatizion and traumatic hegemonic cultural values, narratives, images - self- stigmatizion and traumatic subjectivization. It is a longing for Ëurope, ”The West”, the “civilized World”.subjectivization. It is a longing for Ëurope, ”The West”, the “civilized World”.

► Modern colonization is marked by two dominant mirror longings – “the innocent Modern colonization is marked by two dominant mirror longings – “the innocent Earthly Paradise” vs, “The Civilized World of Christianity, Progress, Earthly Paradise” vs, “The Civilized World of Christianity, Progress, Enlightenment and Civilization” Between them are distance and “the salt water”. Enlightenment and Civilization” Between them are distance and “the salt water”.

The postcolonial conditionThe postcolonial condition► The process of decolonization after the WW II in Asia, (the Arab world, The process of decolonization after the WW II in Asia, (the Arab world,

Indo-China, Indonesia) and Africa 1949 – 1965. The model cases – Indian Indo-China, Indonesia) and Africa 1949 – 1965. The model cases – Indian independence 1947; the Suez Crisis 1956. The spread of the independence 1947; the Suez Crisis 1956. The spread of the decolonization process all around the world, disintegration of all colonial decolonization process all around the world, disintegration of all colonial Empires. Empires.

► Local Asian and African nationalisms, democracies and authoritarian Local Asian and African nationalisms, democracies and authoritarian regimes, political chaos, ethnic cleansing; success stories and regimes, political chaos, ethnic cleansing; success stories and unsuccessful states. unsuccessful states.

► The problem of the “colonial legacy” and “the Empire writes back”. The The problem of the “colonial legacy” and “the Empire writes back”. The “europeanizined” local elites and their values.“europeanizined” local elites and their values.

► The anti-colonial intellectual resistance: Frantz Fanon and the program for The anti-colonial intellectual resistance: Frantz Fanon and the program for “vomiting” of the European cultural values. Are alternative culture, “vomiting” of the European cultural values. Are alternative culture, alternative language (cultural codes) and alternative, non-European alternative language (cultural codes) and alternative, non-European imagination possible? New national and pan-African literatures imagination possible? New national and pan-African literatures

► Cultural wars and the revision of the Eurocentric cultural canons – 1982 Cultural wars and the revision of the Eurocentric cultural canons – 1982 StanfordStanford

Postcolonial studiesPostcolonial studies► Inside the American and west-European university – academic Inside the American and west-European university – academic

critique and deconstruction of Eurocentrismcritique and deconstruction of Eurocentrism

► Edward Said and “Orientalism” as critique of the Eurocentric Edward Said and “Orientalism” as critique of the Eurocentric power/knowledge about the Eastpower/knowledge about the East

► Homi Bhabha and the critique of hegemonic narratives. The Homi Bhabha and the critique of hegemonic narratives. The split, hybrid and fragmented, “impossible” narratives of the split, hybrid and fragmented, “impossible” narratives of the colonizedcolonized

► Gayatry Spivak and “The Subaltern cannot speak”Gayatry Spivak and “The Subaltern cannot speak”

► The general problem – lack of authentic symbolic resource of The general problem – lack of authentic symbolic resource of the colonized: knowledge, narratives, language… imagination. the colonized: knowledge, narratives, language… imagination. Symbolic colonization. Symbolic colonization.

The Metaphor “Self-The Metaphor “Self-Colonization”Colonization”

► This metaphor can be used for cultures having succumbed to the cultural This metaphor can be used for cultures having succumbed to the cultural power of Europe and the West without having practically been invaded and power of Europe and the West without having practically been invaded and turned into colonies. Historical circumstances transformed them into an turned into colonies. Historical circumstances transformed them into an extra-colonial “periphery”, lateral viewers who have not been directly extra-colonial “periphery”, lateral viewers who have not been directly affected either by important colonial conflicts or by the techniques of affected either by important colonial conflicts or by the techniques of colonial rule. colonial rule.

► Yet, they are in a situation where they had to recognize self-evidently the Yet, they are in a situation where they had to recognize self-evidently the foreign cultural dominance and voluntarily absorb the basic values and foreign cultural dominance and voluntarily absorb the basic values and categories of colonial Europe. The result might be namedcategories of colonial Europe. The result might be named “ “hegemony hegemony without dominationwithout domination””..

► The reason – the rule over imaginations trespasses the borders of the actual The reason – the rule over imaginations trespasses the borders of the actual territorial colonial rule: In the world of late XIX centuries the colonial territorial colonial rule: In the world of late XIX centuries the colonial imagination started functioning as “Universal” (in fact, Eurocentric) Symbolic imagination started functioning as “Universal” (in fact, Eurocentric) Symbolic Order, valid everywhere - even in the few non-colonized corners of the. Order, valid everywhere - even in the few non-colonized corners of the.

► Short labels for this process of global conquering the various local Short labels for this process of global conquering the various local imaginations: civilization process, progress, Modernity, westernization, imaginations: civilization process, progress, Modernity, westernization, Europeanization. Europeanization.

Self-colonization, imagination Self-colonization, imagination and public discourseand public discourse

► Important difference between factual colonial conquer and the Important difference between factual colonial conquer and the conquer of desires, longings and hopes. The conquer of the conquer of desires, longings and hopes. The conquer of the imagination of the repressed (the dream about the West, imagination of the repressed (the dream about the West, Europeanization)– the ultimate form of Power.Europeanization)– the ultimate form of Power.

► The maps of the real Empires and the Empires of the The maps of the real Empires and the Empires of the imaginations do not coincide; the ideal West is bigger than the imaginations do not coincide; the ideal West is bigger than the real West. real West.

► This form of Power – the conquer of imagination – could be This form of Power – the conquer of imagination – could be called self-colonization. The joke and the “Californication”. called self-colonization. The joke and the “Californication”.

► Self-colonizing imagination is not a psychological Self-colonizing imagination is not a psychological phenomenon: it is the inner structure of cultural production phenomenon: it is the inner structure of cultural production and the paradigm of the public discourse of the peripheral and the paradigm of the public discourse of the peripheral countries: it has public validity. countries: it has public validity.

Example 1: the first Bulgarian journal – Example 1: the first Bulgarian journal – the obsessive imagining of absencethe obsessive imagining of absence

► In 1842 Konstantin Fotinov (1790 - 1858), the creator of the first In 1842 Konstantin Fotinov (1790 - 1858), the creator of the first Bulgarian magazineBulgarian magazine Lyuboslovie (Philology)Lyuboslovie (Philology), published a remarkable , published a remarkable appeal which treats ardently and withappeal which treats ardently and with pain all that lack of civilisation pain all that lack of civilisation inin the Bulgarians: the Bulgarians:

► "Where are their daily newspapers"Where are their daily newspapers and magazines, or the weekly and and magazines, or the weekly and monthly ones? Where are their artistic magazines,monthly ones? Where are their artistic magazines, their rhetoric, their rhetoric, mathematics, logic, physics, philosophy, etc., etc., which man needs mathematics, logic, physics, philosophy, etc., etc., which man needs moremore than bread? Where is their history, written in detail and widely than bread? Where is their history, written in detail and widely spread among people,spread among people, such as the other nations have and which would such as the other nations have and which would help us to stand side by side with thehelp us to stand side by side with the others and make the others aware others and make the others aware of the fact that we are as verbal as the rest of God'sof the fact that we are as verbal as the rest of God's creatures?"creatures?"

► The Bulgarian press during the National Revival abounded in similar The Bulgarian press during the National Revival abounded in similar appeals dealingappeals dealing with the lack of civilisation. They all represent patriotic with the lack of civilisation. They all represent patriotic complaints about variouscomplaints about various shortages – about the lack of cultural shortages – about the lack of cultural institutions, literary or scientific achievements,institutions, literary or scientific achievements, good manners or great good manners or great Bulgarian poets. Yet, in spite of their variety and heterogeneityBulgarian poets. Yet, in spite of their variety and heterogeneity one can one can see that all these complaints expressed much more a morbid awareness see that all these complaints expressed much more a morbid awareness of theof the absence of a whole civilisational model absence of a whole civilisational model rather than of some rather than of some concrete civilisationalconcrete civilisational achievement.achievement.

Part IIPart II

Modernization, Modernization, Civilization, Civilization,

Europeanization – or Europeanization – or Self-Colonization? Self-Colonization?

Imagination and practice Imagination and practice ► During the XIXth century this “imagination of absence” (variants: of During the XIXth century this “imagination of absence” (variants: of

barbarity, orientalism, backwardness etc.) has been transformed into barbarity, orientalism, backwardness etc.) has been transformed into practical modernization programs. Important! –social imagination is practical modernization programs. Important! –social imagination is not only imagination, it has real practical consequences.not only imagination, it has real practical consequences.

► The sociological mechanism of this process: the local elites were The sociological mechanism of this process: the local elites were educated in cross-border universities; back home, they took up roles educated in cross-border universities; back home, they took up roles as educators, revolutionaries, writers, journalists, tutors and started as educators, revolutionaries, writers, journalists, tutors and started disseminating the Europe-centered colonial conceptual repertoire.disseminating the Europe-centered colonial conceptual repertoire.

► They did it without violence or colonial “They did it without violence or colonial “governmentality” governmentality” but but through the softer channels that had the leverage for captivating the through the softer channels that had the leverage for captivating the imagination – stories, books, school classes and textbooks, popular imagination – stories, books, school classes and textbooks, popular literature, political propaganda and journalism. literature, political propaganda and journalism.

► These early patriots without nations, self-styled national utopians These early patriots without nations, self-styled national utopians and visionaries, introduced the notion of the „sovereign nation” and and visionaries, introduced the notion of the „sovereign nation” and invented, by dint of studied models, local „historical traditions”.invented, by dint of studied models, local „historical traditions”.

The dark side of the universal The dark side of the universal Eurocentric imaginary – the Eurocentric imaginary – the

internalization of asymmetries and internalization of asymmetries and hierarchies hierarchies

► Traditionally named “Europeanization” and „Modernization”, this Traditionally named “Europeanization” and „Modernization”, this process had – along with its indisputably positive effects – its dark process had – along with its indisputably positive effects – its dark side as well. side as well.

► Along with the values of Christianity, civilization, the Enlightenment, Along with the values of Christianity, civilization, the Enlightenment, along with the placards of progress, liberty and revolution, the along with the placards of progress, liberty and revolution, the Europe-centered colonial were irreversibly cemented into the Europe-centered colonial were irreversibly cemented into the collective imagination of such groups. The trauma of being peripheral collective imagination of such groups. The trauma of being peripheral is internalized and transformed into a key element of the national is internalized and transformed into a key element of the national identity building process. identity building process.

► The notions of a European center and peripheries, of “masters” and The notions of a European center and peripheries, of “masters” and „natural subjects”, “enlightened” and “non-enlightened” of a „natural subjects”, “enlightened” and “non-enlightened” of a civilization source and its passive recipients, are taken to be natural, civilization source and its passive recipients, are taken to be natural, eternal and self-apparent; they became part of the „common eternal and self-apparent; they became part of the „common cultural currency” and the public discourse of the new nations. cultural currency” and the public discourse of the new nations.

Consequences: Consequences: the traumatic identity building the traumatic identity building

► The new “imagined communities” (i.e. the modern nations) The new “imagined communities” (i.e. the modern nations) emerge in a power field : in an asymmetrical global imagined emerge in a power field : in an asymmetrical global imagined geography, which is strongly hierarchical and hegemonic: - they geography, which is strongly hierarchical and hegemonic: - they immerge in an Eurocentric World. immerge in an Eurocentric World.

► Their collective identities are from the very beginning fatefully Their collective identities are from the very beginning fatefully marked by their specific imaginary lmarked by their specific imaginary lооcation in this asymmetrical cation in this asymmetrical colonial Eurocentric world – they are either in the Centre (the focus colonial Eurocentric world – they are either in the Centre (the focus of Civilization, Modernity and Progress) or in one or another of the of Civilization, Modernity and Progress) or in one or another of the variously stigmatized peripheries (backward, barbaric, exotic or variously stigmatized peripheries (backward, barbaric, exotic or shameful).shameful).

► Accordingly, the peripheral nations internalize their birth-stigma Accordingly, the peripheral nations internalize their birth-stigma and perceive themselves trough it – a process of traumatic and perceive themselves trough it – a process of traumatic collective identity-building, painful and sometimes shameful collective identity-building, painful and sometimes shameful collective subjectivation and sense of belonging. They perceive collective subjectivation and sense of belonging. They perceive themselves as “cultures of absences and backwardness”.themselves as “cultures of absences and backwardness”.

► There is dialectical duality of shame and pride in the self-There is dialectical duality of shame and pride in the self-perception of such peripheral nations,: in their public sphere perception of such peripheral nations,: in their public sphere emerge two group of ideologists: apologists of “better emerge two group of ideologists: apologists of “better westernizations” and “catching up with West ” – and the opposite westernizations” and “catching up with West ” – and the opposite trend, pride nationalists, “nativiststrend, pride nationalists, “nativists” ” (zapadniki I povhveniki) (zapadniki I povhveniki)

Consequences – the imported, imitative Consequences – the imported, imitative and hybrid high culturesand hybrid high cultures

► The artists and thinkers in such cultures are living with The artists and thinkers in such cultures are living with the sense of periphery and provincialism, they follow the sense of periphery and provincialism, they follow fashions, rarely – create fashions, ideas, paradigms. fashions, rarely – create fashions, ideas, paradigms.

► They struggle for recognition by foreign audiences and They struggle for recognition by foreign audiences and experts: the local (peripheral) recognition is not experts: the local (peripheral) recognition is not enough. enough.

► Translation and translatability are crucial issue.Translation and translatability are crucial issue.

► Any attempt of “self-centering” in such cultures looks Any attempt of “self-centering” in such cultures looks suspicious: it borders with nationalism, autochthonic suspicious: it borders with nationalism, autochthonic ideologies, archaic nativism and xenophobia. ideologies, archaic nativism and xenophobia.

Example 2: the longing for Example 2: the longing for Bulgarian novelBulgarian novel

► 1870 – 1890: The Sense of Absence of the Novel. Translation, 1870 – 1890: The Sense of Absence of the Novel. Translation, “Bulgarizations”. genre Imitations: import of models. “Bulgarizations”. genre Imitations: import of models.

► The First Bulgarian Novel (1989 Ivan Vazov) and the negative The First Bulgarian Novel (1989 Ivan Vazov) and the negative reaction of the newly born Bulgarian literary criticism: two reaction of the newly born Bulgarian literary criticism: two accusations – 1. it is imitation 2. it is not a real novel.accusations – 1. it is imitation 2. it is not a real novel.

► 1890ies. The rival literary context – the competing “non-Novels” – 1890ies. The rival literary context – the competing “non-Novels” – memoirs, autobiographies, short stories, journalistic documentary, memoirs, autobiographies, short stories, journalistic documentary, vs. epic poems, lyric prose, lyrics. vs. epic poems, lyric prose, lyrics.

► 1890 – 1914 Generational Quarrels, Non-recognition of previous 1890 – 1914 Generational Quarrels, Non-recognition of previous novels, contested tradition, difficult canon buildingnovels, contested tradition, difficult canon building

► The need for recognition by foreign authoritiesThe need for recognition by foreign authorities

► Problems of translatability/non-translatability. 2012-2013 The case Problems of translatability/non-translatability. 2012-2013 The case Gospodinov – Ruskov. Gospodinov – Ruskov.

The imported modern public The imported modern public institutions and their social statusinstitutions and their social status

► Similar to the situation in the real colonies, the institutions in the self-colonizing Similar to the situation in the real colonies, the institutions in the self-colonizing cultures were not created in a process of incremental maturing and adaptation cultures were not created in a process of incremental maturing and adaptation turning them into unquestionable and long-lasting, habitual practices.turning them into unquestionable and long-lasting, habitual practices.

► They were imported as prestigious European models and imposed by sweeping They were imported as prestigious European models and imposed by sweeping modernizing gestures of the elites who scraped them together and legitimized modernizing gestures of the elites who scraped them together and legitimized them in a broadly westernizing – and very often eclectic and inherently them in a broadly westernizing – and very often eclectic and inherently controversial – manner. controversial – manner.

► In this process there always remained a whole lot of things impossible to import In this process there always remained a whole lot of things impossible to import – the practical know how, the habits and routines, the well established ethos, the – the practical know how, the habits and routines, the well established ethos, the roles and rules in an everyday performance of an institution. roles and rules in an everyday performance of an institution.

► As a result, the institutions were too often accommodated, used in unexpected As a result, the institutions were too often accommodated, used in unexpected ways to unforeseen ends, in line with ways to unforeseen ends, in line with bricolagebricolage patterns, i.e. they are hybridized. patterns, i.e. they are hybridized.

► This in turn provided a special role to the public sphere: it had to live up to This in turn provided a special role to the public sphere: it had to live up to certain standards amidst public outcry, vitriolic criticisms and blazingcertain standards amidst public outcry, vitriolic criticisms and blazing philippic philippics. s. Public institutions often found themselves under so much and so blatant Public institutions often found themselves under so much and so blatant pressure as to push them to the brink of loosing their credibility altogether. pressure as to push them to the brink of loosing their credibility altogether.

Example 3: modernization and Example 3: modernization and “de-Orientalization” of Sofia – “de-Orientalization” of Sofia –

the longing for “European” the longing for “European” capital. capital.

► 1880 – 1930 The modernizing struggle of the 1880 – 1930 The modernizing struggle of the municipality. De-Orientalization of Sofia on symbolic municipality. De-Orientalization of Sofia on symbolic and infrastructural level. Streets, public parks, and infrastructural level. Streets, public parks, pavement, street lamps, electricity, trams.pavement, street lamps, electricity, trams.

► Destruction or self-destruction of the old Destruction or self-destruction of the old “turkish”marketplace, of the numerous mosques. “turkish”marketplace, of the numerous mosques.

► Building of prestigious public buildings in European Building of prestigious public buildings in European style” – national parliament, national theatre, style” – national parliament, national theatre, university, banks, galeries, schools etc. university, banks, galeries, schools etc.

Sofia 1879Sofia 1879

The De-Orientalization The De-Orientalization processprocess

The De-Orientalization The De-Orientalization process 2process 2

Sofia-Centre – 1900 Sofia-Centre – 1900

Sofia-Centre – The National Sofia-Centre – The National Theatre 1907Theatre 1907

Sofia-Centre – the University Sofia-Centre – the University 19301930

Example 4: building and usages of Sofia’s first Example 4: building and usages of Sofia’s first modern waterworks networkmodern waterworks network

► By the time of the National Liberation (By the time of the National Liberation (18781878) Sofia populations ) Sofia populations (11 000) uses water from only 54 public fountains; there are (11 000) uses water from only 54 public fountains; there are just 3 Ottoman "experts” to take care for them.just 3 Ottoman "experts” to take care for them.

► The first waterworks project was designed by the engineers The first waterworks project was designed by the engineers Belov and Kubassov. 1884 - difficult financing, yet the Belov and Kubassov. 1884 - difficult financing, yet the municipality demonstrates “will for modernization” combined municipality demonstrates “will for modernization” combined with a chaotic tactics of “economizing” and improvised with a chaotic tactics of “economizing” and improvised adjusting off the technical realization of the project. The adjusting off the technical realization of the project. The hybrid nature of the technological result.hybrid nature of the technological result.

► Tensions between political authorities and technical experts, Tensions between political authorities and technical experts, corrupted “governmentality”, private interests shadowing the corrupted “governmentality”, private interests shadowing the public interest and the technological standards.public interest and the technological standards.

The real waterworks – cultural The real waterworks – cultural practices and usagespractices and usages

► Resistance by the peasant population surrounding Resistance by the peasant population surrounding Sofia: sabotages.Sofia: sabotages.

► The unexpected difficulties in maintenance of the The unexpected difficulties in maintenance of the waterworks network. Lack of educated technical waterworks network. Lack of educated technical personnel. personnel.

► The strange “water habits” of the Sofioters ( The strange “water habits” of the Sofioters ( 1900 –1900 – population ofpopulation of 70 000 70 000) and the economic collapse of ) and the economic collapse of the modernizing project - the population, used to the modernizing project - the population, used to pre-modern attitude to water, doesn’t regard water pre-modern attitude to water, doesn’t regard water as commodity, refuses to pay for it, it steals water as commodity, refuses to pay for it, it steals water with illegal pipes etc. with illegal pipes etc.

The imagined ideological The imagined ideological waterworkswaterworks

► Municipality pride of the “technical Municipality pride of the “technical miracle”miracle”

► Journalistic enthusiasm about the Journalistic enthusiasm about the symbol of progresssymbol of progress

►General approval and pride of the General approval and pride of the publicpublic

The first phase 1884 -1900The first phase 1884 -1900

The first phase 1884 -1900 – the The first phase 1884 -1900 – the Apostles of ProgressApostles of Progress

The “Consumers” of The “Consumers” of ProgressProgress

Consequences on the anthropological level – Consequences on the anthropological level – the status of norms and practices in everyday the status of norms and practices in everyday

lifelife

► Lack of factual colonial governmentality – bad Lack of factual colonial governmentality – bad management, imperfect rules of the game, management, imperfect rules of the game, local interestslocal interests,, weak control of results and weak control of results and misusagesmisusages

► The imported norms (ideals, models, rules) The imported norms (ideals, models, rules) remain non-imbedded in the everyday remain non-imbedded in the everyday practices – they are too distant, too alien, too practices – they are too distant, too alien, too non-habitual.non-habitual.

► The habitual everyday practices are wild, The habitual everyday practices are wild, resistant, ‘non-obedient’ – they tactically use resistant, ‘non-obedient’ – they tactically use the norms for their own purposes the norms for their own purposes

Example: the German Menscheschlange Example: the German Menscheschlange and English queue vs. the Bulgarian and English queue vs. the Bulgarian

“опашка”“опашка”

► The Queue – simple model of social institution: habitual formal The Queue – simple model of social institution: habitual formal rules, ruling roles, behaviors and mutual expectations rules, ruling roles, behaviors and mutual expectations

► Visibility of norms, usages and mis-usagesVisibility of norms, usages and mis-usages

► Visualisation of order, disorder (chaos or transgressionVisualisation of order, disorder (chaos or transgression??) and ) and sanctionssanctions

MenschenschlangeMenschenschlange

Menschenschlange (arbeitslose Menschenschlange (arbeitslose Informatiker in Zürich)Informatiker in Zürich)

English queueEnglish queue

English queueEnglish queue

Bulgarian Bulgarian “опашка” “опашка” (literal (literal meaning “tail”)meaning “tail”)

Queue in front of Sofia’s Queue in front of Sofia’s bankbank

Ukrainian caseUkrainian case

The western message of the queue image - The western message of the queue image - the reproduced social orderthe reproduced social order

Опашка Опашка as the eastern image of as the eastern image of poaching tacticspoaching tactics

Poaching tactics is conscious Poaching tactics is conscious about the normabout the norm

Interactions and tensions Interactions and tensions between high and popular between high and popular

cultureculture► It could be summarized as a stream of indignant criticisms It could be summarized as a stream of indignant criticisms

alleging shortage of civilization from the top and torrent of alleging shortage of civilization from the top and torrent of irony, adaptations, adjustments, travesties, special uses, irony, adaptations, adjustments, travesties, special uses, substitutions and hybrids from the bottom designed to evade substitutions and hybrids from the bottom designed to evade or undermine the top. or undermine the top.

► The masses, engrossed in their traditional way of living (with The masses, engrossed in their traditional way of living (with its own channels, agents and pace of modernizing and its own channels, agents and pace of modernizing and Europeanizing), never went the whole way in recognizing their Europeanizing), never went the whole way in recognizing their Europeid elites with their modernizing projects and civilizing Europeid elites with their modernizing projects and civilizing claims. claims.

► The elites suffered the paradox of an inherent illegitimacy as The elites suffered the paradox of an inherent illegitimacy as being locally born, not „truly European”; on their part, they being locally born, not „truly European”; on their part, they decried the „inferior human material” of the massesdecried the „inferior human material” of the masses

Discussion about the situation in Discussion about the situation in Eastern Europe before 1989Eastern Europe before 1989

►Was the membership in the Eastern Was the membership in the Eastern bloc under the leadership of the Soviet bloc under the leadership of the Soviet Union and during the Cold War a Union and during the Cold War a “colonial rule”? Or maybe not?“colonial rule”? Or maybe not?

Discussion about the recent Discussion about the recent situation in Eastern Europesituation in Eastern Europe

► How should we interpret the enlargement of EU:How should we interpret the enlargement of EU: Accession?Accession? Colonization?Colonization? Self-Colonization?Self-Colonization? None of this terms is adequate, we have to look for a None of this terms is adequate, we have to look for a

different labeldifferent label

► What are the reactions of the different sociological What are the reactions of the different sociological strata of the population in your country toward the strata of the population in your country toward the accession, what are the tactical East European uses accession, what are the tactical East European uses and misuses of EU And “Europe”and misuses of EU And “Europe”? ?