My Account Log in

2 options

Conspiracy panics : political rationality and popular culture / Jack Z. Bratich.

Online

Available online

View online
Van Pelt Library HN90.R3 B725 2008
Loading location information...

Available This item is available for access.

Log in to request item
Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Bratich, Jack Z., 1969-
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
Radicalism--United States.
Radicalism.
Right and left (Political science).
Popular culture--United States.
Popular culture.
United States.
Public opinion--United States.
Public opinion.
Physical Description:
ix, 229 pages ; 23 cm
Place of Publication:
Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, [2008]
Summary:
While most other works focus on conspiracy theories, this book examines conspiracy panics, or the anxiety over the phenomenon of conspiracy theories. Jack Z. Bratich argues that conspiracy theories are portals into the major social issues defining U.S. and global political culture. These issues include the rise of new technologies, the social function of journalism, U.S. race relations, citizenship and dissent, globalization, biowarfare and biomedicine, and the shifting positions within the Left. Using a Foucauldian governmentality analysis, Bratich maintains that conspiracy panics contribute to a broader political rationality, a (neo)liberal strategy of governing at a distance through the use of reason. He also explores the growing popularity of 9/11 conspiracy research in terms of what he calls the "sphere of legitimate dissensus." Conspiracy Panics concludes that we are witnessing a new fusion of culture and rationality, one that is increasingly shared across the political spectrum.
Contents:
Political science fiction : expert monitors, excessive skepticism, and preventive rationality
Pop goes the profession : journalism, new media culture, and populism
Trust no one (on the Internet) : Gary Webb, popular technologies, and professional journalism
Left behind : AIDS, biowarfare, and the politics of articulation
Going global : 9/11, popular investigations, and the sphere of legitimate dissensus.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-217) and index.
ISBN:
9780791473337
0791473333
9780791473344
0791473341
OCLC:
123912525

The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.

Find

Home Release notes

My Account

Shelf Request an item Bookmarks Fines and fees Settings

Guides

Using the Find catalog Using Articles+ Using your account