political culture – Shamskm: A site to exchange knowledge and solutions

Scandalous bodies and our relationship with food

By Guest PostJanuary 21, 2014Culture, Healthalcohol consumption, attitude, body shape, corinna wagner, extravagant lifestyle, georgian period, goddesses of health, government, honest british, king george, late georgian england, medicine, mid victorian period, model, modern day phenomenon, monarchy, mulligatawny soup, obesity, over indulgence, pathological bodies, persian delicacies, physical perfection, political culture, self control, self discipline, the english malady, thomas king chambers, university of exeter, victorian, vitriolic public condemnation

Attitudes toward over-indulgence, obesity and body shape were being hotly debated and used for political purposes as early as the 19^th century, a new book claims. ‘Pathological Bodies’, by Dr Corinna Wagner from the University of Exeter, shows that body consciousness is not just a modern-day phenomenon.

Instead, medical warning about excessive eating and drinking, and public attitudes about self-control and discipline emerged more than 250 years ago, when the perceived decadence of the Georgian period gave way to the more moderate and austere approach adopted by the Victorians. (more…)

Richard Arenberg: Defending the filibuster

In Defending the Filibuster: The Soul of the Senate, political scientists and former Senate staffers Richard Arenberg and Robert Dove argue that the solution to recent criticism of the filibuster is not to do away with it. Arenberg speaks with Courtney Coelho about the history of Senate debate, how its use has been distorted in recent years and why reforms, not abolishment, are key to preserving Senate minority rights.

A new book co-authored by Brown University political scientist Richard Arenberg argues that the filibuster, used to extend debate on pending legislation in the Senate, is a necessary entity, giving a voice to the minority and preserving the Constitution’s principles of checks and balances. The filibuster has come under fire in recent years, with critics saying it serves no purpose other than to perpetuate partisan polarization and stall the decision-making process. (more…)

Tag Archives: political culture

Scandalous bodies and our relationship with food

Richard Arenberg: Defending the filibuster