Confronting Modernity: “Techno-Politics” and the Limits of New World Empire

Confronting Modernity: “Techno-politics” and the Limits of New World Empire. Submitted in the fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Ph.D Kathlean C. Fitzpatrick 2007 The Department of International Relations The London School of Economics and Political Science Supervisor: Mr. Mark Hoffman 1 UMI Number: U506675 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U506675 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 iwGse ? Library British Library ot Ponticai and Economic Science ABSTRACT Thesis Title: Confronting Modernity; “Techno-politics” and the Limits of New World Empire This thesis explores the relationship between modernity and the expansion of Anglo- American empire in North America in order to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the modem treaty negotiations currently underway in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Canada, largely because it is a successor state of empire, has been unable to free itself from colonial attitudes and assumptions which continue to inform its negotiating position. In particular, the issue of sovereignty is denied, which frustrates any attempt to build a lasting and positive peace in the international relations of post-colonial British Columbia. In order to understand and overcome this collective failure of the political imagination I have undertaken a theoretical and historical analysis of modem sovereignty and the unlimited expansion of technological civilisation under the protection of the state, which I refer to as “New World Empire. Modem sovereignty and the techno-politics it engenders is the product of the scientific revolution and the “culture of improvement” inaugurated by Francis Bacon in reformation England. Bacon creatively invented the experimental method and its technological applications from his own imaginative reading of the “Christian” tradition and in so doing provided the natural philosophy necessary for Hobbes’ construction of modem sovereignty. Understanding the state as an instrument of power rather than a product of nature inextricably links sovereignty to empire as power accumulation and projection are necessarily interdependent Drawing on the work of Leo Strauss I have identified three strategies of colonialism which are manifested in the combined practices of liberal assimilation, historicist development and nihilist segregation. Modem empire simply “asserts” sovereignty over territory and unilaterally constructs colonial subjects as allies, wards and captives, as passive objects of administration and control, rather than active subjects in their own right. These colonial prejudices must be deconstructed and rejected in order that the historical institution of treaty, rather than sovereignty, forms the basis for ongoing power sharing arrangement which recognizes “Indians” as equal partners within the larger context of Canadian confederation and international law. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page...............................................................................................................................1 Abstract................................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................4 Introduction Ethics: Indians and the Technological Society; Truth and Reconciliation in the International Relations of British Columbia ....................................................5-33 Chapter 1 Metaphysics: Bacon and the Origins of Modem Techno-Logos ............................ 34-79 Chapter 2 Political Physics: Thomas Hobbes and the Foundation of an Eternal Order 80-132 Chapter 3 Political Theory: Techno-politics and the Three Strategies of Colonialism 133-191 Chapter 4 Political Praxis: Techno-politics and Empire: The Making of the New World Indian................................................................................................192-248 Conclusion Ethics: The British Columbia Treaty Negotiations: Repetition, Return and Renewal on the Limits of New World Empire ............................................ 249-286 Bibliography.............................................................................................................287-304 3 Acknowledgements This Thesis has been the culmination of both a practical and theoretical engagement with a pressing ethical/political problem that has been a part of my life since the end of my high school days. My first job after high school was with my former social studies teacher, Mr. Michael Cranny, who hired me to help him with his field work in the completion of his own Master’s Degree in anthropology back in 1985 and I would like to thank him and the Carrier First Nation for this eye opening experience which changed my life. When I came to do my undergraduate degree in Politics at Carelton University in Ottawa, 1 was doubly hooked by the study of International Relations and Political Theory. I owe it to the wisdom and guidance of my two of my greatest intellectual mentors Dr. John Sigler and Dr. Peter Emberely, both of whom supported my decision not to specialise, but to pursue both sub-fields simultaneously. I would especially like to thank Dr. Sigler for encouraging me and giving me the confidence to apply to the London School of Economics to pursue my graduate work. In order to fund this graduate work however, I was compelled to undertake four years of work in the “real world” in which I was fortunate enough to land a job in Indian Affairs as a Research Assistant through which I became more than familiar with contemporary Canadian Indian Land Claims policy. I would like to thank, Mr. Robert S. Allen, who although sadly is no longer with us, for many years, was a guiding light at DIANDS Treaty and Historical Rights Research Centre and without whose help I would never have mastered the art of primary documentary research and analysis. During the course of my professional career as a Treaty and Aboriginal Rights researcher I also had the opportunity to work for the Treaty 8 Tribal Association and formed the lasting friendships with the people of Treaty 8. I owe my thanks to those whose openness and generosity allowed me to learn, albeit slowly, what a Treaty is, a learning process that is still ongoing to this day. I would like especially to thank Peter Havlik as the Director of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Treaties and Aboriginal Rights Research Centre, whose support and leadership helped me to navigate this life-changing learning opportunity. It never would have been possible to attend the London School of Economics to pursue my Doctorate Degree, if I had not had the financial support of the British Council, for which I am eternally grateful. During the course of my doctorate studies I have had the privilege to attend one of the best graduate schools in the world and meet some of the most engaging and challenging people in the field of politics. My greatest debt must however be to my friend and supervisor, Mr. Mark Hoffman, without whose patience, support and encouragement were key to bringing this Thesis may not have come to conclusion. Mr. Hoffman’s open-mind and critical engagement with my work has allowed and enabled me to write the Thesis I wanted to write and for this alone he will always be my greatest and most important teacher. I would like to thank all my friends whose conversations have contributed to my intellectual development and emotional well-being through what has been a challenging experience. I would like to single out for special mention my good friend, Dr. Peter Ezra Wienberger, whose comments and criticisms have greatly contributed to my intellectual and spiritual development. Finally I would like to thank my family and personal friends who have supported me throughout this project, and no one more so than my loving husband, Mr. Rajen Doobay, whose constant support and immeasurable contributions make him a full and equal partner in everything we have achieved together. 4 Introduction Ethics: Indians and the Technological Society; Truth and Reconciliation in the Internationa] Relations of British Columbia Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.1 I Romans 6:4 Introduction Confronting modernity is about confronting the underlying belief system which has allowed the drive to ever greater levels of technological prowess to overshadow and deny any and all alternative visions of ethical and political life. My own experiences with the danger and destructiveness of the excesses of modernity comes from a very personal place on the frontline of this violence and disrespect. For many years I worked with the Treaty 8 Tribal Association and assisted in

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