Reviews: Danger and security. Michael Blain, Power, Discourse and Victimage Ritual in the War on Terror
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | International sociology: journal of the International Sociological Association /ISA |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://iss.sagepub.com/content/29/5/414.full.pdf+html |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0268580914544434 |
| Field | Sociology, demography |
| Keywords | Biopower; ritual; terrorism; US politics; violence |
| Attached files | |
| Description | The book by Michael Blain offers an empirical and critical investigation of the American War on Terror. In terms of methodology, the study focuses on American political discourses combining quantitative content analysis with detailed qualitative interpretations. Its critical edge is reflected in the use of theoretical concepts like ‘biopower’ (Foucault), ‘victimage ritual’ (Burke), ‘power elite’ (Mills) and ‘empire’ (Hardt and Negri). According to the author, the American power elite can be characterized by its imperial agenda, even though the United States remains an empire in denial: George W Bush as well as Barrack Obama promoted policies of empire, while publicly denouncing any imperial ambition. |
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