PhD Candidate, Department of Anthropology
American University
In its capacity as the capital of the United States, Washington, DC serves as the seat of the federal government, as well as home to a multitude of organizations, think tanks, corporate offices, and embassies, all of which interact on a daily basis through “official” lines of communication. Professional relationships are formed and enacted in the service of the particular objectives of each party, and the workday is spent pursuing them. There is, however, a social component to many of these relationships, and much that is accomplished after work. Professional and personal realms often converge outside of the traditional workplace in Washington, DC, as exemplified by the diplomatic social scene, its events, and key actors.
Through an examination of the aims and outcomes of the “after-hours” social functions which diplomatic, corporate, and government actors host and attend year round, and the interactions often pursued there, the research discussed in this paper seeks to understand the kinds of relationships that are furthered by post- work functions, the ways in which these relationships are solidified, the role that gender plays in establishing or defining their scope or success, and how space intersects with these relationships. Drawing on the work of others who have pursued ethnography of the elite or “inaccessible” (Nader, 1969) (Marcus & Hall, 1992) (Thomas, 1995) (Hertz & Imber, 1995), this research aims to make visible the upper reaches of the social system. Gaining access to the designated sites of research and the people who engage them will contribute to an expansion of anthropology’s field of study and its methodologies in a manner that builds upon discussions by Marcus and Fischer (1986, 1999).
Amidst intensifying debates surrounding issues of conflict of interest and the ethical dilemmas posed by suspect relationships between American politicians, interest and lobbying groups, corporations, and foreign governments, particularly in the era of US President Trump, the research discussed in the paper will highlight the workings of Washington, DC on a local, national, and global scale, thereby shedding light on the convergence of professional and personal relationships, and its consequences. By providing insight into the lived experiences of the city’s diplomatic corps, the proposed project will contribute to a greater comprehension of communication and collaboration outside “official” channels of negotiation, where diplomacy is often conducted beyond the workday. Capitalizing on the premise that there are multiple and divergent versions of alliances and interests, this project will use these variations as an analytical tool to deconstruct particular associations and their relationships to power. In doing so, the research will provide alternate scales where conversations surrounding gender, space, and power can be pursued – and utilized as an act of resistance.
American University Public Anthropology Conference 