Laura Nader's work critically examines the creation and function of central dogmas across law, energy science, and anthropology. Her research spans from village settings to national and international arenas, consistently synthesizing contemporary thought on power and control. Nader's theoretical perspective transcends disciplinary boundaries, connecting anthropological insights with questions of boundaries, power, and knowledge. Her contributions offer a profound exploration into the processes that shape society and our understanding of the world.
The collection of letters showcases Laura Nader's multifaceted life as an anthropologist and public intellectual, revealing the often-hidden dynamics of academic life. It features correspondence not only from academic peers but also from a diverse array of individuals, including lawyers, politicians, citizens, and military members, providing insight into the broader societal issues and personal connections that shaped her career and perspectives.
Taking private law to represent an ally in the defence of our future, they offer a clear characterization of the fundamental legal institutions of common law and civil law, considering the challenges of the Anthropogenic era, technological tools of the Internet era, and the global rise of the commons.
Analyzing the workings of boundary maintenance in the areas of anthropology, energy, gender, and law, Nader contrasts dominant trends in academia with work that pushes the boundaries of acceptable methods and theories.
Plunder examines the dark side of the Rule of Law and explores how it has been used as a powerful political weapon by Western countries in order to legitimize plunder - the practice of violent extraction by stronger political actors victimizing weaker ones.
Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Evolving an Ethnography of Law: A Personal Document 2 Lawyers and Anthropologists 3 Hegemonic Processes in Law: Colonial to Contemporary 4 The Plaintiff: A User Theory Epilogue Bibliography Index.
Toward an Intellectual History of the Postwar Years
Leading intellectuals discuss the effects of the Cold War on academic freedom, intellectual life, and dissent in the academy.