occult modernism and the spiritualization of democracy Banerji, Shiben creator author. text bibliography txu 2025 First edition. monographic eng

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xiii, 324 pages ; 28 cm. "In his new manuscript, Shiben Banerji examines the movement toward "global cities" in the first half of the twentieth century, particularly as an outcropping of occult philosophies like Theosophy that worked toward what practitioners called "universal brotherhood." Drawing on music, art, literature, and science, Theosophy imagined a path of self-improvement that would combat social and economic alienation. Accordingly, the view of the city that it helped foster was expansive: a city that could democratically encompass all genders, ethnicities, religions, and species. Banerji's study works to recuperate this forgotten chapter of urban design history through an examination of interlinked moments in the globalized pursuit of universal brotherhood"-- Summoning global subjects -- Unifying science, 1905-1913 : De Bazel's World Capital and Andersen's World-Centre -- Financializing debt, 1927--1933 : the Otlet-Corbusier Cité Mondiale -- Saving empire, 1924-1933 : Besant's world-empire -- Conserving nature, 1920-1935 : Griffin's Castlecrag -- Globalizing democracy, 1938-1949 : Mahony's Magic of America. Shiben Banerji. Includes bibliographical references (pages 239-310) and index. City planning Philosophy Social aspects History 20th century Cities and towns Philosophy Social aspects History 20th century Architecture and globalization History 20th century Occultism Influence History 20th century Brotherliness Religious aspects Theosophy History 20th century Modern movement (Architecture) History 20th century Democracy and architecture History 20th century HT166 .B36 2025 307.1216 B36 2025 Banerji, Shiben. Austin : University of Texas, 2025 First edition (DLC) 2024034591 9781477331408 2024034590 TxU/DLC 240730 20260402110602.0 23803812 eng