Ian Mcewan: a Novel Approach to Political Communication
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2014-09-23 Ian McEwan: A Novel Approach to Political Communication Cohen, Naor Cohen, N. (2014). Ian McEwan: A Novel Approach to Political Communication (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26407 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1796 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Ian McEwan: A Novel Approach to Political Communication by Naor Cohen A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA September, 2014 © Naor Cohen 2014 Abstract Since authors are skilled communicators, novels can help reimagine our communicative motivations and public sphere in a contemporary context. Their fiction can situate politically-conscious narratives in pertinent, culturally salient contexts to reflect and challenge our deepest convictions. In this work I consider three novels by British author Ian McEwan, which show his liberal-communicative thought: Black Dogs, Amsterdam and Saturday. These texts exemplify his aesthetically accomplished and intellectually dense oeuvre. Each novel explores one major theme. Black Dogs addresses historical narratives, concerned with how we integrate past events into our current identities. Amsterdam challenges the notion that expert elites can achieve greatness when their actions lack moral responsibility. Saturday undermines the deterministic conception of reason and science in light of political, economic and ecological insecurity and irrationality in today’s post-9/11 world. In all three books, daily random events shatter the protagonists’ worldviews. McEwan takes a liberal-pluralist approach, representing the contingent and irrational elements challenging classic liberalism. ii Promoting individual autonomy, reason, and scientific progress, perfectionist liberal thinkers like John Locke and John Rawls presented fundamental moral entitlements that bind all human beings across time and place by virtue of their humanity. However, as different cultures interact, issues of legitimacy, stability and cooperation in democratic societies arise. Current political and communication theory addresses these concerns by seeking common ground from which to evaluate diverse political orders. Influenced by John Durham Peters’s ethical-political communication theory, this study sets out a theoretical framework that combines political and communicative investigations, and sees today’s liberal and communicative projects as similarly motivated. Within this space, I critically examine McEwan’s contribution to a communicative and political moral code that can guide us through the fact of pluralism. This moral code accepts the burden of reason, and the fragility of happiness in modern time, pointing to our psychological pathologies and contradictions in moral conscience. We can be skeptical about our moral, political and scientific convictions while avoiding moral relativism. We can celebrate individual autonomy, self-fulfillment and freedom of choice only if they come with empathic interest for the other. Any other possibility will diminish our greatest achievements. iii Acknowledgements This work owes many debts, both intellectual and personal. In particular, two people have been immensely supportive. I am indebted to my supervisor Dr. Michael Keren, as well as to my mentor Dr. Charlene Elliott. Thank you both for countless hours of inspiring conversations, and your ongoing intellectual guidance. The wisdom, patience and the analytical rigour you provided along the way have been the backbone of this undertaking. Without your wholehearted persistence this dissertation would not have been possible. Both of you, albeit differently, continually reminded me of the spirit of adventure needed for all endeavors. Most importantly, I want to thank you for seeing into the future and imagining the completion of this project, even when I could not. I would also like to thank my committee, Dr. Barry Cooper, Dr. David Jardine and Dr. Neil McLaughlin. I have learned much from the vigour of their questioning and the astuteness of their comments. I would not have perused this degree without my dear friend and mentor Dr. Israel Waismel-Manor. Thank you for encouraging me to cross the ocean and pursue a PhD. Writing a dissertation is an arduous task, especially in a second language. I would like to thank my editor, iv Donna-Lee Wybert, who brought stylistic clarity to my often murky conceptual analysis. Heartfelt and enormous thanks go to the faculty members and staff of the Department of Communication and Culture who helped me in navigating the graduate program: Dr. David Mitchell, Dr. Barbara Schneider, Mimi Daniel, Megan Freeman and Kristine Innis. I have made many friends at the University of Calgary who supported me throughout the entire process in various ways. Dr. Oren Steinitz helped to ease the transition from Israel to Calgary. Dr. Chaseten Remillard and Andrea Jonhas kept my feet on the ground when the stresses of academic life became too much. Dr. Gillian Steward graciously provided feedback and helpful comments on my many drafts. Dr. Geo Takach is a living example of creativity, optimism and comic relief. Cassandra Dam and the Dam-Halsey family are a blessing, and their friendship, warmth and kindness are too big to acknowledge. My officemate, Brenda McDermott put up with loud Hebrew phone calls, shared numerous debates, and offered her writing expertise. I am deeply grateful to the many people who touched my life along the way. Oran Ben-Zion Crystal and the Ben-Zion family v provided moments of laughter, support, and companionship. Thank you to Rick Cor, Todd Andre, Shlomo Tregubov, Mendi Yuda and Hagar Aharon, Tanya Appleby, and my dear friends at the Canadian Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. Other individuals who warrant special mention are my friends in Israel: Shira Kupfer, Noam Ron, Nadav and Liat Malki, Noa Danan, and Barak Hener who cheered and supported me all these years from afar. As this project is completed, I would like to acknowledge my family, who gave me the opportunities and resilience to achieve my goals. I would not have completed this project, except that my dear parents opened all the doors in life but let me decide which one to walk through. While away from my own family, Gregg and Karen Aicken welcomed me into theirs. Finally, I owe more than I can express to my wife, Kelsey. Her love and support have been invaluable. She taught me to how to worry less and to have confidence that it will work out. This completed dissertation is a proof that she was right. I am infinitely grateful to her. vi Dedication To my son Ilai, the beginning of a whole new chapter vii Table of Contents Chapter One : Introduction ...................................................... 1 Profile: Ian Russell McEwan ............................................................................. 5 Outline of Chapters ......................................................................................... 10 Chapter Two: The Aesthetic Turn ........................................... 13 Taking the Turn ............................................................................................... 13 Fiction and Politics .......................................................................................... 18 Methodology: A Quest for Understanding Texts ............................................. 26 Chapter Three: Understanding the Communication Terrain .... 38 Information Theory: Shannon and Weaver ..................................................... 39 Defining “Communication” .............................................................................. 41 Origins of the Public Sphere ........................................................................... 43 The Public Sphere and the Frankfurt School .................................................. 46 Media as Political: Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, Harold Innis and Benedict Anderson ....................................................... 50 Communication and Literature: J. D. Peters ................................................... 55 Dissemination vs Dialogue: The Lippmann-Dewey Debate ............................ 60 Summarizing the Communications Arc ........................................................... 67 Chapter Four: Liberalism’s Divide: Between Perfectionism and Pluralism ................................................................................ 69 Introducing Two World Views ......................................................................... 69 Liberal Perfectionism ...................................................................................... 70 Critique of Liberal Perfectionism ................................................................ 76 viii The will to Power: Morality, Conflict and Discipline .................................... 77 Value Pluralism ..............................................................................................