D
E V E L O P M E N T
ISSues Volume 4, number 3, December 2002
Blood, Bullets and Bodies
CONTENTS
Inside this issue:
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In Memoriam Prince Claus
Sexual Politics below the Poverty Line On 1 November 2002 Imani M. Tafari-Ama was awarded a PhD at the ISS for her research into the political economy, gender and embodiment implications of inner-
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city violence in Kingston, Jamaica’s eastern capital. Her thesis ‘Blood, Bullets and
Alumni News
Bodies: Sexual Politics below the Poverty Line’, is a critical exposé of the factors subverting the political will to act in the interest of the poor even when explicit just 5
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Dies Natalis
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International Anniversary Conference
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cause exists for such altruistic action to take place. Dr Tafari-Ama examines the current
for the most part unemployed. Some
discourse of violence in Southside,
are self-employed while a minority is
one of Kingston’s inner-city communi-
wage earning. These residents live in
The research uses a feminist and cul-
ceive the message and those who
ties, to show that gender, identity and
poor housing and socioeconomic
turally specific application of discour-
transmit it.
embodiment are all included in the
conditions and exist under the con-
se analysis to explore the meanings of
deployment of the existing political
stant threat of violence, due to the
power conveyed through language,
Like other patriarchal systems, violent
and masculinist power mechanisms.
activities of the gangs, security forces
practices and institutions. This
hegemonic masculinity presupposes
Profoundly then, sexual politics has
and itinerant criminals.
method provides an effective techni-
the subordination of women and,
que for deconstructing major power
while not homogeneous, women and
taken on a whole new meaning and
SCHOLAS
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CERES Research School
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The Limits to Growth 30 Years on - Henk Houweling
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contracts and deadly gun weaponry.
verbally, in terms that have immediate meaning for both the men who re-
practice for those disadvantaged and
Violence in Southside is rooted in the
mechanisms like the divide and rule
children are particularly disadvan-
socially excluded citizens who are for-
divisive bourgeois style of democracy
tactics or binary oppositions that have
taged in the inner-city scenario.
ced to survive below the poverty line
practised by the two main parties, the
been used to realise the hegemonic
Women’s bodies are literal battlefields
in this confined environment. The
Peoples National Party (PNP) and the
objectives of those who control the
in the reproduction of structural, dis-
thesis is the story of ongoing efforts to
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Since the
state and its apparatuses. Discourse
cursive and gender power dynamics.
improve their lives and their streets
late 1960s, politicians from both sides
analysis also made it possible to
Ironically, some women have internali-
and therefore a practical contribution
of the divide have constructed politici-
explore the identity norms and taboos
sed and reproduced their own ver-
to the cacophony of dissent which
sed garrison communities, designed
embedded in popular culture.
sions of violence in an attempt to rein-
challenges entrenched structures and
to house party affiliates. The raison
Following from this, as expressed in
force womanpower, a response that
discourses of power.
d’être of these garrisons is to enable
Southside, a discourse of violence
only dovetails into the overarching
the two main parties to secure votes
conveys the message that a ‘real’
masculinist discourse of violence.
The 6,000 residents of Southside are,
on election day. In a clientilist exchan-
man will engage in acts of interper-
However, because of and despite
characteristically, poor people of pre-
ge, party loyalists are rewarded with
sonal violence. It is structured around
their limited options and choices,
dominantly African descent who are
scarce resources like housing, labour
such acts as well as being expressed
women strategically appropriate,
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Book Launch A Tribute to Kurt Martin
continued on page 11
50 Years of the ISS The 50th Anniversary year of the ISS is drawing to a close. The programme of Anniversary activities reached their high point in October with the
As an institute for advanced international education and
International Conference on Globalisation, Conflict and Poverty and the Dies Natalis ceremony, at which three new Honorary Doctorates were awarded. In this last Development ISSues of the year, we take a final look at the Anniversary events. On pages 6 and 7, there is a summary of the
research, the ISS generates,
conference, followed on page 8 by a report on the Dies Natalis. On page 3 the Rector pays tribute to Prince Claus, himself an honorary fellow of accumulates and transfers
the ISS, who died sadly on the eve of the Anniversary week. And, to give you an idea of how the Institute has changed over the last half a century, knowledge and know-how on human aspects of economic and social change, with a focus on development and transition.
we have included a brief pictorial history of the ISS. This year, the Institute itself has been very much the centre of attention. Next year, however, DevISSues will be back in a completely new style, with more articles on the wider development issues that concern everyone in and outside the ISS. The editors wish you all a happy and safe Christmas break and hope to welcome you all back in the New Year.
The ISS is a leading centre in this field.
Development ISSues is also available online on the ISS website at www.iss.nl
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