Claustropolitanism at the end of the world : rethinking post-pandemic globalization and higher education

Abstract EN

This theoretical article develops a new trope for understanding globalization after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Science fictional genres are filled with-and fuelled by-dystopic narratives of endings, wars, apocalypses, famines and–indeed–zombies.

Yet the benevolent cosmopolitan sociology developed by Ulrich Beck, Zygmunt Bauman and Scott Lash at the turn of the 21st century, did not provide a rationale or understanding for September 11, the Global Financial Crisis, or the pandemic.

Beck's 'zombie concept' was no match for the–metaphoric–zombie hoards over-running popular culture and higher education.

Multiculturalism and the belief in the public good were crushed by an unregulated banking sector, a lack of funding for public health and public education, and a political system run on post-expertise, opinion and subjectivity.

In response to this intellectual gap, absence and lack, this article develops a post-disciplinary claustropolitanism.

Deploying the research from Paul Virilio and Steve Redhead, a new intellectual dance is commenced, between 'end times' and 'new times, ' to provide momentum for higher education at the end of the world.

Claustropolitanism is a lens to understand the foreclosed times of unemployment, under-employment, inelegant university and industry 'partnerships, 'and a declining respect for expertise.

Why was it necessary to enforce the sloganized salve of 'Believe the science' during a global pandemic, when scientific methods were required to enable the survival of millions of citizens? Noting this post-pandemic paradox, this article reveals the consequences of toxic globalization, and how claustropolitanism can renew a commitment to trans-localism, and learning.