Passivity: Between Indifference and Pacifism - by Alexandra Tryanova & Pascal Gielen (Paperback)

About the Book

"'A pacifist is a rare beast in a bomb shelter.' The war in Ukraine challenged our idea of pacifism. Should Europe take up arms or not? Can it ease its conscience only with humanitarian aid? Isn't Europe's attitude towards the war mainly driven by economic motives? In Passivity, Ukrainian art curator Alexandra Tryanova and Belgian sociologist Pascal Gielen engage in a dialogue about this. In doing so, they not only talk about the current political situation, but also look at themselves; at their own fears and privileges. What is passivity in our own daily doings? When does pacifism turn into resignation? How do our surrounding media and culture contribute to such an attitude? Passivity does not provide unifying answers to these questions. Rather, it looks for ways to find peace with our own mixed feelings."--Page 4 of cover.

Book Synopsis

An illustrated conversation on how the war in Ukraine has impacted European ideals around pacifism

In Passivity, Ukrainian curator Alexandra Tryanova and Belgian sociologist Pascal Gielen (born 1970) engage in a dialogue about Europe's responses to the war in Ukraine and how it has shaken up value systems around pacifism and economic motives.