Power and Knowledge Scientific cycle 2019-2022 - Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation
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1 Power and Knowledge Power and Knowledge Scientific cycle 2019-2022
Table of Contents Power and knowledge: understanding in order to change.................... 1 1. The gender of power: questioning and changing the gender order............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 What power, what knowledge? The importance of a feminist epistemology to understand....................................................................................................... 3 Power relations and multiple genders..................................................................................................... 3 Addressing inequity: How can we attain gender equality?........ 3 2. The centres of power: the place between space and resource.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Earth as a space: governance and sovereignty............................................................. 4 Land as a resource: between protection and usage....................................... 5 3. The status of individuals and power relations: the need to seek balance............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Social classes and working conditions: a national and transnational issue.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Religious and cultural minorities: a fault line between integration and assimilation................................................................................................................................................... 7 Sovereignty in peril: the balance of power between private and public actors.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1 Power and Knowledge Power and knowledge: understanding in order to change The first cycle of the Institute for Engaged By immersing scholars in this critical Leadership, which is to be set up by the environment, the mission of the Pierre Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation in 2019, Elliott Trudeau Foundation is to train will focus on the dynamic relationship engaged leaders who are aware of the between “Power and Knowledge”. Power impact of their research on different represents authority and the capacity to communities, are aware of various forms impose decisions and define terms. of non-conventional knowledge, and are eager to translate their know-how into Knowledge is understanding who has sustainable engagement in Canadian authority and through which mechanisms society. Furthermore, by sharing the and structures it manifests itself. knowledge of the Foundation’s scholars Power and knowledge are interrelated. and mentors, the Institute for Engaged Knowledge is power. Understanding Leadership may contribute to the this relationship and the roots of power democratization of knowledge and to imbalances allows for critical analysis, social inclusion. change, and altering the balance of power. This document presents all of the issues The general notion of “knowledge-power” for research and discussion which will is addressed according to three secondary guide undergraduate studies at the themes that are interconnected: gender, Institute For Engaged Leadership. the environment, and the status of individuals in the social space. Connected, because these power 1 The gender of power: questioning and changing relationships are intertwined, adding to the gender order and amplifying the effects of one another. Power excludes: there are those who hold Only by highlighting the issues inherent authority, and those who are subject to to these sub-themes can we examine how it. This exclusion has long existed – and they intersect. continues to exist -- based on gender. The
2 Power and Knowledge gender of power still dictates the power For institutions and organizations affected that is given to gender: equality is still a by gender norms, the separation of the thing to negotiate, and authority sets the political world and homemaking to which terms for the very discussion. Questioning women have historically been relegated, power from the perspective of gender first must also be reconsidered. The political means learning to recognize it: How does presence of women is no longer an this power wield its authority, and how exception. Yet, social replication and the does the hierarchy stemming from it affect mechanisms that go with it are still deeply gender identities and social relations? rooted in gender order: women still bear the responsibility for the upkeep of private What power, what knowledge? The life, allowing public life to be possible. importance of a feminist epistemology in This shows how gender norms dictate the order to understand. Understanding the terms of the negotiation that is currently gender of power, and changing it, assumes underway: work family balance, instead that we grasp gender norms, and their of being discussed as an overall societal influence in the building of humanities and issue, continues to be viewed specifically social sciences. How do our processes, as a women’s issue. Therefore, how can we methodologies and modes of knowledge define the role and place of parenthood affect the objects of our studies, our and of mental load, of social replication, approaches, and our conclusions? How do given critiques that stem from gender gender norms affect our understanding norms? What is the relevance of such a of the social and political structures that stark division between private and public surround us? How is this form of gender- life? How can we restructure welfare based authority embodied in our notion networks that enable true equality when of knowledge and its production? Is it it comes to caring for children, the elderly, possible that we have excluded forms and others needing care? of knowledge, deemed unimportant or erroneous, on the basis of gender-related How are we to view the persistent social prejudices? devaluation of occupations that are said to be typically “women’s work” that How, in other words, can we conceive concern care (nurses, teachers, nannies, and create knowledge that takes into housewives, etc.? How can we overcome account this historical exclusion and that this division that multiplies, rather than overcomes it? The work of sociologist abolishing, gender inequalities? Jane Danielle Juteau, 2003 fellow of the Jenson, 2004 fellow of the Pierre Elliott Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, falls Trudeau Foundation, addressed these very particularly within this line of study: questions. The core of her research focuses throughout her academy career, Juteau on the work of mothers and how we has strived to develop a feminist collectively assign value to these roles. epistemology that allows us to remake categories, to consider this diversity and to see in it a learning opportunity rather than a negligible minority.
3 Power and Knowledge Power relations and multiple genders Addressing inequity: How can we attain gender equality? Questioning the impact of gender on modes of knowledge also involves Ultimately, the most fundamental question questioning the binarity it forces onto is: How do we define gender equality in the the discussion. Gender order excludes 21st century? Does gender even still have not only women but all identities that meaning? How can we address inequity, are marginalized by structures of in other words, how can we acknowledge power. This is the case for transgender the wrong done to women and to LGBTQI2+ communities. Power dictates sexual minorities, and how can we move the dimension on which authority is built, beyond this trauma? Or, is it preferable to while making other dimensions which transcend gender? How can we represent nonetheless make up our reality invisible. the diversity of sexual identities without What perspectives does gender order maintaining a kind of hierarchy (quotas, wipe out? How does the meeting point positive discrimination, etc.)? How can we between gender and other factors of promote diversity without crushing it? And discrimination influence the making of finally, how can we rethink the structures power relations between the dominant that maintain gender norms within our and the dominated? How does the social institutions? Education seems crucial balance of power itself create a hierarchy in this process of transformation. But how of exclusion and oppression based on exactly are we to go about it? sexual difference and the social roles that are assigned therein? What impacts do race, social class, sexual identity and 2 Centres of power: the environment between space orientation, physical or mental capacity, and resources culture and religion have on the way we perceive gender issues? How can we bring The Earth is a living environment, the consistency to the specific issues that are place where human beings do the things raised by each of these exclusion points? they do; on Earth we draw boundaries, Malinda S. Smith, 2018 fellow with the occupy it, cross it or even leave it. But Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, raises the Earth is also a resource, one that we the issue of invisibility of Canadian black need to survive. It is where we find our women in the historical construction of food, warmth, shelter and clothing. This Canada. Smith’s challenge is to give these existential conflict between space and excluded women a voice by producing a resources has made the Earth the centre more inclusive narrative which represents of power struggles which are intertwined the complexities and diversity of with practices and processes of accession, experiences. exclusion, and control. Whoever wields power dictates their view of Earth and imposes that view on others. When we understand environmental issues such as
4 Power and Knowledge they appear for each community (visions world, has one fundamental feature: and mythologies relative to Earth), we can How have power relations determined then pinpoint imbalances and transform the recognition or non-recognition of them. In other words, we must reformulate historical treaties negotiated between the problem from the point of view of colonial authorities and Indigenous those who do not have power of authority. communities, and how access to the land Only by restoring these often-excluded of Indigenous communities has been, perspectives can be truly contest the and continues to be, transfigured by this underpinnings of the dominant order. power dynamic? How are Indigenous identities and cultures defined by these Earth as a space: governance and events, and how are they finding a place sovereignty in the governance processes? John Borrows, 2006 fellow with the Pierre To question the terms of authority, we Elliott Trudeau Foundation, dedicates his must first understand the structures of academic research to the strengthening governance that regulate the control of of constitutional and political relations access to land. Who excludes what, why, between Canada and Indigenous nations. and by what means? How does authority, Jean Leclair, 2013 fellow with the Pierre through a process of exclusion, define Elliott Trudeau Foundation, also examines identities? One example that comes to the possibility of aligning Indigenous mind, of course, are migrants, and the perspectives of the Earth with those international and domestic rules that of the federal government. But issues govern their movement. In these cases, of collective recognition do not settle how do we view power relationships questions raised by the governance of the between governing bodies within the territories. These issues also appear at an broader world order? What sovereignty individual level. The existence of different should governments have, within the cultures within one piece of territory context of large scale population that clash raises the matter of how one movements? These are central questions individual fits in: How can we respect one for Catherine Dauvergne, 2012 fellow with set of beliefs when they conflict with the the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. In beliefs of others? How can we reconcile her work, Dauvergne seeks to develop a one person’s freedom of thought with better understanding of the regulation the right to equality and integrity of and mechanisms of governance in matters others? Daniel Weinstock, 2004 fellow of immigration on a global scale. But the with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, structures of governance are not limited looked at these issues of integration and to the treatment of immigrants: What openness to diversity from a philosophical about recognition of local populations and perspective. All these issues have a of their own culture, specifically in cases common thread, which is the relationship where it differs from the dominant culture? to land and its governance: knowing how The case of Indigenous populations, power determines borders, but also the in Canada and elsewhere around the
5 Power and Knowledge identities that are made possible (or not) environmental protection. Another is the through these processes of accession way that the law considers companies and and exclusion, is a first step toward their civil and criminal liabilities, and how transformation. this structure influences the protection of resources and land. Infrastructure ‒ Land as a resource: between protection domestic and international ‒ in the energy, and usage food, transport and safety sectors are devised on the notion of appropriation The environment is under pressure. In regulated by private interests which are fact, the competition for resources in essentially cut off from the interests the context of scarcity exacerbates of the communities affected. Deborah the existential tension between space Cowen, 2016 fellow with the Pierre Elliott and resource. Consequently, the issue Trudeau foundation, examines these of preservation and protection of the structures, and looks at opportunities for environment fuels proposals for reform collaboration between private players pertaining to management policies and and social movements, communities and land-use planning which, themselves, deliberative processes used to find viable have the power to reinforce or transform solutions for the stakeholders involved. the authority figure which informs the But these deliberative and cooperative viewpoints that we hold of the Earth. In processes between users of resources fact, whoever dictates the terms for the raise one specific problem with regards to protection of lands does so according to intergenerational justice: How can we take a preset point of view. In this case, can into account the needs and challenges that this vision be reconciled with that of the future generations will face in matters of players who do not hold power? In other food sovereignty, sustainable development, words, is it possible to rethink the power access to resources and space, public associated with control of land in a manner health, when their interests are all-too- that would accommodate the various often underrepresented in the discussions meanings which may be assigned to the relative to the current development of Earth? Can the possibility of ongoing resources? How do our current practices ‒ resource development coexist with the both individual and collective ‒ impact the notion of territory as sacred land? Can the opportunities of future generations? These commercialization of resources cohabitate questions highlight the multiple facets of with a perception that resources are not power and its effects on past, present and a right but rather a responsibility? Karen future communities. Economist Jennifer Bakker, 2017 fellow with the Pierre Elliott Clapp, 2013 fellow with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, heads a participatory Trudeau Foundation, studies the complex project that seeks to understand and mechanisms by which the functioning and protect the governance of water by regulation of the world economy influence Indigenous peoples. But the protection environmental results, especially with of traditional land use is only one facet of regards to sustainability within the scope
6 Power and Knowledge of the world’s food system. Her research Social classes and working conditions: a opens the door to a reflection of the way national and transnational issue that economic mechanisms can support food self- dependence models that are Individuals from vulnerable or poor social viable over the long-term, for present and classes are usually those most likely to future generations, particularly in the case accept mediocre working conditions. of developing countries. Low pay, little or no insurance in the event of an accident or an illness; this 3 The status of individuals and power relations: the need to workforce is treated as if it were just one commodity like any other. It gets replaced as supply and demand fluctuate, with strike a balance no regard for humaneness. In this era of Power divides. It groups some people globalization and fast- paced growth, the together while engendering the exclusion working conditions that are imposed on of others, all on terms that are imposed. certain workers can unquestionably be Concealed behind closed doors, power characterized as exploitation. Considering feeds into itself. To understand power, the intricacies of work contracts in and the way it informs and structures transnational treaties signed between our institutions, we must determine governments, how can we ensure the what groups dictate what norms, and protection of workers, in Canada as well to whom. Power is not static but rather as elsewhere else? If we could be even represents a dynamic force: there is no more bold, would it even be possible to master without a subordinate, and one eliminate the notion that work is a mere cannot be understood without the other. commodity among other commodities? To understand power, it is necessary How can we ensure decent conditions for to observe each of the parties in the those jobs that only the most vulnerable relationship. and the disadvantaged end up taking? Consider cases such as: workers who put Each relation being distinct, one will then their health at risk in mines or otherwise be able to question the bases of this toxic environments; migrant farm workers power, and on the rhetoric of the tension who fear deportation and keep quiet about which places in opposition he or she who substandard health conditions; clandestine sets the terms and the person who is workers, nannies, and housekeepers who subject to those terms. tolerate abusive situations, fearing that their irregular status will be called out; Social class, cultural or religious affiliation, or even people working for minimum and even sovereignty all raise discourses wage who cannot make enough to meet on power: each one offers insights into the their own basic needs. In these cases, the specific aspects of authority, but also on its employer, corporation, government dictate universality. And each of these occurrences the working conditions, knowing that the enable us to perceive the power relation, worker cannot refuse. Here, the balance of and the possibility of moving beyond it. power is tipped against the worker’s ability
7 Power and Knowledge to negotiate. How can this imbalance measures in this regard, by categorically be resolved? And how can we ensure banning immigration from Muslim-majority that workers have access to conditions countries such as Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria which offer a minimum of dignity and and Yemen. Although few governments autonomy? How can we rethink domestic have adopted such a practice, the and international laws that regulate the integration of certain cultural or religious labour market to ensure that the most groups is nonetheless presented like a vulnerable enjoy basic protections? Adelle real socio- political problem. In Québec, Blackett, 2017 fellow with the Pierre Elliott for example, there was a proposal which Trudeau Foundation, works on the rights came from the Parti Québécois to adopt of domestic and migrant workers within a Charter of Values meant to provide the scope of laws that reach beyond nation guidelines for cultural accommodations, borders: How could organizations, such as well as legislation aimed at prohibiting as the International Labour Organization, the wearing or displaying of conspicuous place enough pressure on corporations religious symbols by public sector and governments so that workers would employers. The PQ also moved to have access to decent living conditions? require anyone providing or receiving a The relationship between workers and government service to have their face employers is affected by an interconnected uncovered. Québec is in line with other world order, and by governments that European countries such as France, whose too often have difficulty regulating discourse for several decades has been the behaviour of the corporations. built around the need to ensure religious Transforming working conditions involves neutrality in the public spaces and in calling into question the very relationship the exercise of democracy. Although which is sustained by this trifecta of debatable, there are laws, such as the ban factors. on wearing the niqab in France (2011), that have in fact been upheld by the Religious and cultural minorities: fault European Court of Human Rights (2014). line between integration and assimilation The integration of cultural and religious groups is a delicate issue: on the one hand Cultural, religious or political affiliation it contributes to misperceptions about can engender power relations, especially religious symbols and their meaning. On between majority groups and minority the other hand, in certain cases, these groups. For example, consider cultural accommodations lead to a genuine groups stemming from immigration conflict between respecting freedom of whose culture or religion may clash religion and conscience and the will of the with the fundamental values of the government to ensure certain values, such host country. This is a situation which is as gender equality. How are we to juggle playing out in several western countries these divergent individual and collective today, following waves of immigration interests? How can we overcome this fear from non-western countries. The United of the other, and by what means could States has adopted one the most drastic
8 Power and Knowledge we initiate a dialogue between various Of course, immigration is not the only cultural and religious groups? How can context where the question of how we integrate, in a spirit of harmonious majorities treat minority groups is fellowship, people from different cultural raised. In Canada, we have the case of and religious groups, and how can we francophone Canadians, who were long ensure the preservation of their heritage denied recognition of their rights as a and distinct cultural baggage without linguistic minority in a primarily English- losing the notion of Canadian values? For speaking society. And an even greater example, Audrey Macklin, 2017 Fellow issue is the tragic treatment of First with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, Nations by the federal and provincial begins by raising these questions from the governments and how a balance of power perspective of integration. forged, and in certain cases annihilated, their identity. Canada is only just starting She studies specifically how private to acknowledge its responsibility in the sponsorship of refugees has an influence impact that the residential schools had on on the sponsors themselves as citizens, the conservation of culture and distinct and she examines their motivations and character. In the wake of the Truth and communal experiences with new arrivals. Reconciliation Report, will the Canadian Ayesha Chaudhry, 2018 fellow with government be able to right the wrongs the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, caused by years of cultural genocide undertakes a deep reflection into what it against First Nations? Even then, do the means to be a Muslim Canadian citizen terms of reparation and reconciliation by sparking a conversation on the legal make sense for Indigenous nations which reform of Islam. Others, such as Simon are each distinct from one another? Or, Harel, 2009 fellow with the Pierre Elliott are they contested? How can we define Trudeau Foundation, have developed the place of Indigenous communities in hybrid models ‒ between theory and the current political context, and how practice ‒ that aim to identify unstable, can we encourage the emergence of often conflicting, forms of cultural mobility. Indigenous identities? Kent Roach, 2013 These approaches emphasize the fact that fellow with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau rethinking integration begins with gaining Foundation, is particularly interested in a better understanding of each other. the role of judicial review in democracy, Haideh Moghissi, 2011 fellow with the Pierre the recourses prescribed by the courts Elliott Trudeau Foundation, demonstrates or other institutions, the effect of the this perfectly in his research. An analyst criminal justice system on Indigenous of issues concerning women in Muslim people in Canada as well as the reparation societies, Moghissi is particularly interested of the abuses in the residential schools. in the interrelated elements that define the Jason Edward Lewis, 2014 fellow with the growing tensions between immigrants who Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, initiated identify themselves as Muslim and their identity reconstruction with Indigenous new countries. youth. Both are from the Kahnawake Mohawk community and participated through visual arts and media to imagine
9 Power and Knowledge a new Indigenous future. Defining the scholars to take the time to understand balance of power highlights the crucial and listen, as a necessary step before importance of developing the future. being able to take effective action. Sovereignty in peril: the balance of power between private and public players The capacity of governments to implement legitimate and democratic decisions is also contradicted by the influence and power of private players. The growth in number and in importance of free trade treaties can tie the hands of governments on fundamental issues, such as how to regulate the conduct and decisions of multinational companies, especially in matters such as liability, taxation, or even competition law. In a globalized world, how can we develop the autonomy and sovereignty of governments when the latter have little or no power against the choices of private corporations? Do these agreements represent progress, or are they a threat to western democracies and to the advancement of developing countries? How can we raise the accountability of corporations, when they are not subject to the laws of host countries? Poonam Puri, 2016 fellow with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, places a focus on managerial responsibility within the framework of multinationals, and on ways to overcome obstacles that governments and individuals encounter in order to force international or domestic businesses to provide compensation or reparations for any damage they may cause. In conclusion, the Institute for Engaged Leadership invites researchers to challenge the evidence and dissect the relationships between knowledge and power. The primary aim is to train and encourage
10 About the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is an independent and non-partisan charity established in 2001 as a living memorial to the former prime minister. In 2002, with the support of the House of Commons, the Government of Canada endowed the Foundation with the Advanced Research in the Humanities and Human Sciences Fund. The Foundation also benefits from private donations. By granting doctoral Scholarships, awarding Fellowships, appointing Mentors, and holding public events, the Foundation encourages critical reflection and action in four areas important to Canadians: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world, and people and their natural environment. www.trudeaufoundation.ca
11 Power and Knowledge www.trudeaufoundation.ca
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