John Ralston Saul

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John Ralston Saul giving a presentation at the University of Alberta in 2006.

John Ralston Saul , CC (born June 19, 1947 in Ottawa , Canada ) is a Canadian author and essayist . From 2009 to 2015 he was President of PEN International . John Ralston Saul lives in Toronto . He has been married to Adrienne Clarkson since 1999 .

As an essayist, Saul is best known for his comments on the nature of individualism , citizenship, and the public commons. Other topics in his essayistic work are the failure of manager-led societies, the confusion between leadership and managerialism (technocracy), military strategies, especially irregular warfare, the role of the right to freedom of expression and its criticism of current arguments in economic debates.

biography

John Ralston Saul was born on June 19, 1947 in Ottawa. He studied political science and history at McGill University in Montreal and received his doctorate in 1972 from Kings College, London. He wrote his dissertation on the modernization of France under Charles de Gaulle . Then in 1976 he helped set up the national oil company Petro-Canada as assistant to Maurice Strong , the first CEO of the newly founded company. The following year Saul published his first novel, The Birds of Prey . In the late 1970s and 1980s he stayed in North Africa and Southeast Asia for longer periods of time and traveled repeatedly with guerrilla troops. Both his novel trilogy The Field Trilogy is based on the experiences of this time as well as his interest in the work of PEN International. Through his extended stays in North West Africa and South East Asia, Saul became aware of the problematic situation of writers living there, whose right to freedom of expression was suppressed by their governments. In 2009 he was elected President of PEN International. Besides Arthur Miller , John Ralston Saul is only the second North American to hold this position since the PEN was founded in 1921.

Novelist

The political novel The Birds of Prey takes place in de Gaulle's France and became an international bestseller. The Field Trilogy is about the crises of power in our time and their clash with the individual. This trilogy includes the volumes Baraka or The Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor of Anthony Smith , The Next Best Thing , and The Paradise Eater , which won the Italian Premio Letterario Internazionale.

Written in the tradition of the picaresque novel, Saul's De si bons americains examines the lives of modern, nouveau riche Americans. A completely revised and expanded version was published in 2012 under the title Dark Diversions and is Sauls' first novel in fifteen years.

essayist

Voltaire's Bastards , The Doubter's Companion, and The Unconscious Civilization

Sauls' philosophical essays begins with a trilogy that includes the bestseller Voltaire's Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason in the West , the polemical philosophical dictionary The Doubters Companion: A Dictionary of Aggressive Common Sense, and The Unconscious Civilization . The last volume of the trilogy emerged from his 1995 lectures, the Massey Lectures, and in 1996 won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction from the Governor General for Non-Fiction.

This trilogy deals with a dictatorship of reason that is not kept in balance by any other human characteristics, a “dictatorship of reason”. Such corrupted reason can be instrumentalized for any purpose, especially in a directionless state, in which the exercise of power for the sake of power is rewarded. According to Saul, this leads both to a perversion of thinking, so that ideology is praised as truth, for example, and to the rational but undemocratic structures of corporatism, by which he understands the worship of small or elitist interest groups. The predominance of this kind of reason also leads to the fact that the practical understanding of the deformations that this development and other social problems cause is obscured by a specific use of language, an expert language. He argues that the rise of individualism without respect for the role of society has not led, as was once hoped, to greater individual autonomy and self-determination, but to isolation and alienation. He advocates striving for a more humanistic ideal for the good of society, in which (utilitarian) reason is in a better balance with other human mental faculties, such as common sense, intuition, creativity and memory. He also discusses the relevance of unrestricted language and real democracy.

Reflections of a Siamese Twin

Saul took these issues further in Reflections of a Siamese Twin and wondered how they relate to Canada, its history and culture. He coined the term “soft country” for Canada. He does not mean this in the sense of a weak nation, but of a country that has a flexible and complex identity, as opposed to the static or monolithic identities of other states.

He argues that Canada's complex national identity is based on a triangular reality made up of three nations: the First Nations , the Francophones and the Anglophones . Saul emphasizes the willingness of these three Canadian nations to compromise rather than confront one another. He therefore criticizes both the separatists in Montréal, who emphasize the conflicts in Canadian history, as well as the Orange Order and the historical movement of the Clear Grits , which traditionally strive for a one-sided definition of being Canadian and Canadian loyalty in the sense of the Anglophones.

On Equilibrium

Sauls' next book, On Equilibrium (2001), is the conclusion and quintessence of his philosophical trilogy. In it, he shows six characteristics that are inherent in every human being: common sense, ethics, imagination, intuition, memory and reason. He describes how these inner forces can be used to keep each other in balance and what happens in the event of an imbalance, e.g. B. a "dictatorship of reason".

The Collapse of Globalism

In an article written for Harper's Magazine that appeared in the March 2004 issue of the magazine under the title The Collapse of Globalism and the Rebirth of Nationalism , Saul argued that globalist ideology is under attack by counter-movements. This reasoning was reconsidered and further developed in The Collapse of Globalism and the Reinvention of the World (2005). He states that globalization is anything but an inevitable power and that it is already falling apart into contradicting parts. Citizens reassert their national interests, both in a positive and in a destructive manner. Following the 2008 economic collapse he predicted, The Collapse of Globalism was reissued in 2009 with a new epilogue in response to the current crisis.

A fair country

A Fair Country (2008) is Sauls' second major work on Canada. It is divided into four sections.

"A Métis Civilization"

This section ties in with Sauls' argument about the triangular reality of Canada in Reflections of a Siamese Twin . Referring to scholars such as Harold Adams Innis and Gerald Friesen, Saul takes the view that today's Canada was significantly influenced and shaped by the ideas of the indigenous peoples and their relationships with the European newcomers. For over 250 years, starting around 1600, both Francophone and Anglophone immigrants made the experience that Aboriginals were either the dominant force or equal partners in the country. He explains that Aboriginal people are making a rapid "comeback" and that their fundamental influence must be recognized so that non-Aboriginal Canadians can better understand themselves.

"Peace, Fairness, and Good Government"

According to Saul, the phrase “peace, order, and good government” in the Canadian constitution of 1867 has become its touchstone, insofar as the phrase “peace, welfare, and good government ”(peace, concern for the common good and good governance) prevailed. In his opinion, the resulting shift in focus towards "order" does not really embody the Canadian origins.

"The Castrati"

This section reflects Sauls' general criticism of technocratic and bureaucratic political systems. In it Saul points out that the current Canadian elites reflect a disturbing mediocrity, a "disturbing mediocrity", but this has not always been the case.

"An Intentional Civilization"

In the final section of the book, Saul urges that it is time to return to understanding Canada as a unique response to certain historical circumstances.

Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin

Sauls' contribution to the series on the lives of extraordinary Canadians in the country's history, Penguin Canada's Extraordinary Canadians series, which he is also editing, is a double biography about the two politicians Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin . He argues that the year 1867 was by no means the hour of birth of Canada; rather, the cornerstone for its founding was laid far earlier by LaFontaine and Baldwin. After the unification of 1841, the two chairmen of Lower and Upper Canada worked closely together. You were at the forefront of a reform movement that advocated the form of 'responsible government', in which the fate of the country is not determined by a governor-general appointed by the colonial power, but by elected citizens. According to Saul, however, the laws introduced by the two politicians during the reign of the "Great Ministry" (1848–1851) made a major contribution to creating a more just state. They reformed the legal system, created a public education system, raised bilingualism to official status, designed a network of public roads, introduced a public postal system and reformed local self-government. Faced with fierce opposition, some of which erupted in violence, the two politicians united, as Saul argues, based on a series of principles and programs that gave birth to modern Canada.

Talk

During his career, Saul has given numerous lectures both in Canada and abroad. He has spoken at well-known series of lectures, including the Harold Innis Lecture (1994), the Massey Lectures (1995), the McGill Law Journal Annual Lecture at the Faculty of Law (McGill University, Montreal, 2009) and the Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture in Barbados (2008), of which he was the 33rd speaker. In 2000 he opened the newly created LaFontaine-Baldwin lecture series with his speech and spoke in 2004 at the Royal Military Academy, Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston , Ontario , about “A New Era of Irregular Warfare?” (“A New Era of Irregular Warfare? "). He also spoke at the IDEAS Festival in Brisbane , Australia (2005) and at the “Captive Mind Revisited” conference in Krakow, Poland (2007). On August 26, 2012, he gave a lecture at the Sydney Opera House on the subject: “It's Broke: How do we fix it?” (“Broke: What is to be done?”)

activities

John Ralston Saul is a co-chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship charity, which encourages New Canadians to become committed citizens. He is a sponsor and honorary chairman of French for the Future, which promotes bilingual French-English education, and chairs the advisory committee of the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium Lecture Series, as well as a sponsor of the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN, a Network for the Right to a Planned Lifetime - a pioneering organization advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and their families). Saul is Companion of the Order of Canada (1999), the highest honor for civilians in Canada, as well as the holder of the French Chevalier des Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of the Arts and Literature) (1996). His 17 honorary doctorates from a wide variety of universities include those of McGill University in Montréal, the University of Ottawa, and Heart University in Saint Petersburg , Russia . From 1999 to 2006, when his wife Adrienne Clarkson , the Office of the Governor General of Canada has held, he devoted most of his time matters such as freedom of speech , poverty , education and bilingualism .

Saul is an advisor to the humanitarian organization Engineers Without Borders .

PEN International

Saul was elected international president for a three-year term of office on October 21, 2009 at the annual PEN World Congress in Linz ( Austria ). Before his election, he advocated that smaller and threatened language communities and cultures should be given more attention, since the loss of a language amounts to a loss of freedom of expression. Going there, he especially highlighted endangered indigenous languages. This led to the Manifesto of Girona , Girona Manifesto, which was confirmed at the PEN World Congress in September 2011 on the basic principles of language rights. Saul also called for further decentralization of the 144 PEN centers in 102 countries. Under his leadership, a large delegation traveled to Mexico , where the murder of writers continues. He argues that literature and the freedom of expression go hand in hand, because one cannot be had without the other. Saul testified before the European Parliament's Commission on Human Rights about the loss of freedom of expression in Tunisia, as well as speaking to the European Council about refugees in exile. His essay on writers in exile has been translated into several languages. In September 2012 he was re-elected as PEN President for a further three-year term. On October 15, 2015, he was replaced by Jennifer Clement .

On May 15 and 16, 2014 Saul took part in the annual conference of the PEN Center Germany in Schwäbisch Hall and took the floor several times.

bibliography

Novels

  • The Birds of Prey. 1977
    • Übers. Dietlind Bindheim: The flight of death. Moewig (Playboy), Rastatt, Munich 1981
    • Übers. Collective Druck-Reif: Birds of Prey Droemer Knaur , Munich 1988
  • Baraka, or the Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor of Anthony Smith. 1983
    • Übers. Johannes Gottwald: Baraka. Droemer Knaur, Munich 1988
  • The next best thing. 1986
    • Übers. Susanne Felkau: The four Buddhas. Droemer Knaur, Munich 1989
  • The Paradise Eater. 1988
    • Übers. Johannes Gottwald: Vicious circle Bangkok. Droemer Knaur 1990
  • De sí bons Américains. Payot, Paris 1994
  • Dark Diversions. Penguin, Canada 2012

Essays and other prose works

  • Voltaire 's Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason in the West. 1992
  • The Doubter's Companion: A Dictionary of Aggressive Common Sense. 1994
    • Translated by Fritz R. Glunk : Of strawberries, economic summits and other unreasonable demands of the 21st century. Campus, Frankfurt 2000
  • Le citoyen dans un cul-de-sac? Anatomie d'une société en crise. 1995
  • The Unconscious Civilization. House of Anansi Press, Toronto 1995
    • Übers. Fritz R. Glunk: The market is eating its children. Campus, Frankfurt 1997; Gutenberg Book Guild again , 1998
  • Reflections of a Siamese Twin: Canada at the End of the Twentieth Century. 1997
  • On Equilibrium; Six Qualities of the New Humanism. 2001
  • The Collapse of Globalism and the Reinvention of the World. 2005
  • Foreword to Sandra Shields, David Campion Ed .: The company of others. Stories of belonging. Arsenal Pulp Press, PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship, Vancouver 2005
  • Joseph Howe and the Battle for the Freedom of Speech. Penguin, Canada 2006
  • A Fair Country: Telling Truths about Canada. Penguin, Canada 2008
  • Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin. Penguin, Canada 2010
  • Epilogue to Gerald McMaster, Ingo Hessel Ed .: Inuit modern. The Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection. Exhibition catalog, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto 2011; Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver 2011 (Further contrib. Dorothy Harley Eber et al.)

to honor

  • Italy's Premio Letterario Internazionale, for The Paradise Eater , 1990
  • Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres de France (1996)
  • Gordon Montador Award, for The Unconscious Civilization , 1996
  • Governor General's Literary Award for Non-fiction for The Unconscious Civilization , 1996
  • Gordon Montador Award, for Reflections of a Siamese Twin , 1998
  • Companion of the Order of Canada, 1999
  • Pablo Neruda International Presidential Medal of Honor, 2004
  • Manhae Literary Prize (Korea), 2010
  • Gutenburg Galaxy Award for Literature, 2011
  • Writers' Union of Canada's Freedom to Read Award, 2011
  • Honorary Member of the Royal Society of Canada (2014)

Web links

Wikiquote: John Ralston Saul  - Quotes

Remarks

  1. ↑ It would be more precise: technocratic management.
  2. ↑ Friesen, Gerald. Citizens and Nation: An Essay on History, Communication, and Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000.
  3. ↑ Saul, John Ralston. A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada. Toronto: Viking, 2008: 174
  4. ↑ The McGill Law Journal Annual Lecture ( Memento of the original from December 26, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / lawjournal.mcgill.ca
  5. ↑ His Excellency John Ralston Saul JD Young Memorial Lecture “A New Era Of Irregular Warfare?” Lecture Delivered To Faculty And Cadets Royal Military College Kingston, Ontario ( Memento of the original from March 1, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.gg.ca
  6. ^ John Ralston Saul: Slaves to Money and Growth: when did saving a bank become more important than saving a country? . The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  7. ↑ RSC Class of 2014. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on July 7, 2015 ; accessed on September 13, 2016 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / rsc-src.ca
personal data
SURNAME Saul, John Ralston
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Canadian writer and essayist
DATE OF BIRTH June 19, 1947
PLACE OF BIRTH Ottawa