Landscapes of Abandonment: Capitalism, Modernity, and Estrangement

281 Pages·2003·0.81 MB·English

by  Roger A. Salerno

LANDSCAPES
OF
ABANDONMENT
SUNY series in the Sociology
of Culture
Charles R. Simpson, editor
LANDSCAPES
OF
ABANDONMENT
Capitalism, Modernity, and
Estrangement
Roger A. Salerno
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS
Published by
State University of New York Press, Albany
© 2003 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise
without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Cover art: Melanconia, 1912 (oil on canvas) by Giorgio de Chirico (1888–1978)
Estorick Collection, London, UK / Bridgeman Art Library © 2003 Artists
Rights Society (ARS), New York / SIAE, Rome.
For information, address State University of New York Press,
90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207
Production by Diane Ganeles
Marketing by Anne M. Valentine
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Salerno, Roger A.
Landscapes of abandonment : capitalism, modernity, and estrangement /
Roger A. Salerno. p. cm. — (SUNY series in the sociology of culture).
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0–7914–5845-8 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0–7914–5846–6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Social integration. 2. Marginality, Social. 3. Capitalism—Social aspects.
4. Alienation (Philosophy) I. Title. II. Series.
HM683.S25 2003
302.5(cid:1)44—dc21
2002042636
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Sandi, with love and hope

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction The Landscape of Abandonment 1
Chapter One Capitalism, Abandonment, and Modernity 9
Chapter Two Abandonment and Social Theory 49
Chapter Three Psychology of Separation and Loss 83
Chapter Four Fragmentation and Abandonment of
Conscience 121
Chapter Five Abandonment of Community 157
Chapter Six Abandonment of Nature 181
Chapter Seven Dark Utopia: Globalization and
Abandonment 215
Notes 237
Index 263
vii

Acknowledgments
The inspiration for this book has come from many sources, chief
among these has been a misguided public agenda to achieve total
security in an inherently insecure world. The personal wellspring for
this work has been my connection to and separation from those who
have been important to me. I am especially grateful to Sandra Salerno
for her inspiration, patience, and assistance in just about every aspect of
this project. In some ways, this book is a product of the loss and desola-
tion we both shared. I am thankful to Frances Exler for her belief and
faith in what I was doing, and to Theresa Aiello whose assistance
enabled me to re-examine my past and bring this project to closure.
Among my colleagues Pam Smith, Laura Hapke, Steve Goldleaf, Amy
Foerster, Robert Chapman, Walter Levy, and Michelle Fanelli have all
provided important assistance. The Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
at Pace University and the Scholarly Research Committee supported me
with release time. I am particularly appreciative to those affiliated with
SUNY Press, especially Charles Simpson and Ron Helfrich, for welcom-
ing this enterprise and to Diane Ganeles for her production assistance. I
also want to thank June Rook and Kate Wilson for their contributions to
improving the manuscript and book. Finally, I am grateful to Carlos
Rojas who entered my life and gave me an opportunity to better under-
stand the consequences of early abandonment. I wish him luck wher-
ever he might be and hope that he finds the happiness he seeks.
ix