Publication details

Reviews: Danger and security. Michael Blain, Power, Discourse and Victimage Ritual in the War on Terror

Authors

BINDER Werner

Year of publication 2014
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source International sociology: journal of the International Sociological Association /ISA
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Social Studies

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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