Gastocracy

We’re in the middle of the eating season. In the countdown to New Year one banquet replaces another. Yesterday was my department’s end of year party and for lunch today I take my M.A. students to a very traditional Chinese restaurant. (I have to go for an extra swimming session in the afternoon to deal with the calorie overload …)

As a Chinese professor you are supposed to treat your students to food. It’s part of a lingering patrimonialism. Patrimonialism doesn’t come naturally to me but I’m doing my best.

Perhaps we could call it gastocracy — to use knives, forks and chopsticks as a means of establishing power over others. Eating together unites you to them and them to you. And obviously the one who pays is in charge. If the food is good enough, it’s not such a bad deal.

Gastocracy exists in European universities too but it is terribly underdeveloped. Only the most patrimonial of professors have mastered the art. Chai Lieven, when he was convenor of the LSE’s Government Department, would always treat colleagues to something edible when they were acting up. “I hear your complaints,” he would say, “lets discuss it over lunch.” Eating in the restaurant, mouthful by mouthful, Lieven would exercise his power. Once the recalcitrant colleague brought up the gripe somewhere between coffee and the dessert, the convenor’s point of view had already prevailed. Very ruthless, very civilized!

Gastocracy

We’re in the middle of the eating season. In the countdown to New Year one banquet replaces another. Yesterday was my department’s end of year party and for lunch today I take my M.A. students to a very traditional Chinese restaurant. (I have to go for an extra swimming session in the afternoon to deal with the calorie overload …)

As a Chinese professor you are supposed to treat your students to food. It’s part of a lingering patrimonialism. Patrimonialism doesn’t come naturally to me but I’m doing my best.

Perhaps we could call it gastocracy — to use knives, forks and chopsticks as a means of establishing power over others. Eating together unites you to them and them to you. And obviously the one who pays is in charge. If the food is good enough, it’s not such a bad deal.

Gastocracy exists in European universities too but it is terribly underdeveloped. Only the most patrimonial of professors have mastered the art. Chai Lieven, when he was convenor of the LSE’s Government Department, would always treat colleagues to something edible when they were acting up. “I hear your complaints,” he would say, “lets discuss it over lunch.” Eating in the restaurant, mouthful by mouthful, Lieven would exercise his power. Once the recalcitrant colleague brought up the gripe somewhere between coffee and the dessert, the convenor’s point of view had already prevailed. Very ruthless, very civilized!