Care to Repair

Both the everyday lives of individuals and the social structures that shape them are perceived as being damaged. The societies of the 21st century are characterised by a number of defining features, including the prevalence of private ownership, the nature of the state system, and the exploitation of natural resources. These features have a significant impact on social relations, with individuals and groups having to navigate their implications in various social contexts, whether they The centuries that have elapsed since the present era have been shaped by three key factors: private ownership, the state system and the exploitation of nature. Individuals are compelled, whether they are aware of it or not, to engage with these forms of domination and control in their social relationships, whether within the family, in friendship groups or in networks of support. The reproduction of individual lives and of social relations is constituted by care relations. Neighbourhoods, migration, the reproduction of labour power and even the relationship between humans and the natural world are all dependent on the existence of caring relationships. To some extent, care also draws its sustenance from the precarious, invisible, and damaged aspects of social life. This observation of the pivotal role of care in social reproduction forms the basis of the Cornelia Goethe Colloquia scheduled for the winter term 2024/2025.

The specific objective is to examine the extent to which care relationships and the associated care work can or should address the inherent damage inherent to the social relations under examination. To some extent, for instance, neighbourhood care networks can compensate for damaged living and working conditions. Furthermore, infrastructural deficiencies in urban and rural areas, as well as in border regimes, can be addressed and vulnerabilities mitigated. However, it is necessary to determine the extent to which these potential for repair can be realised. What new exclusions might arise as a result, and what damage is irreparable? It may even be the case that there are instances where repair is not the optimal solution, and that allowing visible deterioration to occur is preferable.