Latest news with #Bourdieu
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
The markets are silent — that is worrying
Three decades ago I became fascinated by the concept of 'social silence' — or the idea advanced by intellectuals such as Pierre Bourdieu
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Cultural money - By Dr Khalid Al-Saleh
The title of this article consists of two words: money and culture—a pairing that carries a meaning quite distinct from the sociological concept of 'cultural capital.' The term cultural capital was coined by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu (August 1, 1930 – January 23, 2002). In Bourdieu's framework, cultural capital refers to a collection of social assets that an individual may possess—such as education, intellect, style of dress, or even mannerisms. These traits contribute to one's social mobility and position within society. But this article is not about cultural capital; it is about something far more insidious: cultural money. If political money refers to the use of wealth to buy political loyalties and elevate individuals into power through various means—causing some to leapfrog into positions like crows scrambling for scattered grain—then cultural money represents a deeper and more dangerous threat. Political corruption is a crisis, but the corruption of culture through money is the mother of all calamities. In today's world of ideas and intellectual discourse, we see semi-intellectuals offering themselves for sale. They write and publish books tailored to the buyer's desires, form political parties with hollow, grandiose names, and establish "research centers" designed to attract investors rather than produce real scholarship. This would have been unimaginable forty years ago. Yet here we are, living in an era where powerful forces are actively trying to reshape people's convictions, values, morality—and even their religion. More than fifteen years ago, I walked down Hamra Street in the heart of Beirut. I visited several bookstores, each filled with titles across a range of subjects. I noticed that many of these books—religious, intellectual, historical—were published by more than five different houses, all prominently displaying Arabic author names typically prefaced with the title "Dr." Yet something felt off. These were fictitious personas attempting to penetrate the Arab reader's conscience with false narratives and fabricated history. When they failed to persuade, another solution emerged: to buy minds outright. And so it began—the open purchasing of voices. Real people, with real faces and real names, now write, compose, and speak across social media and traditional platforms, proudly defending ideas tailored to foreign agendas. They seek to fabricate a new Arab society—one whose culture is manufactured in the dark laboratories of those seeking to undermine and replace the true cultural fabric of our nations. How can we recognize them? It is not difficult. These parasites of culture share a common profile. They have no legacy, no history in genuine cultural work. They emerge suddenly, not by the merit of diligence but by exploiting division. They scour history for its darkest chapters, lament them publicly, and weaponize them to tear the nation apart. They head parties built for show and lead "research centers" that lack the most basic understanding of academic rigor. They flood the media with articles and commentary—sometimes calm, sometimes furious—desperately seeking to satisfy their patrons. They attack national consensus, provoke controversy, and sow division. Their arguments are hollow, their knowledge laced with deception. And tragically, they often lead groups of common people, who follow not with critical thought, but with blind emotion. These are the beneficiaries of cultural money—the ones who sold their minds and consciences for personal gain. They were not born from within our culture, but planted to corrupt it. Yet, just as the fake names of the past failed to deceive, these modern merchants of thought will also fail. Why? Because awareness is rising. A new generation of Arab youth is awakening. They are rejecting synthetic narratives and holding firm to the luminous heritage of our Arab identity. Their vigilance is our shield, and their determination is the reason these false prophets will not succeed.
