Legitimating identities : the self-presentations of rulers and subjects / Rodney Barker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Barker, Rodney S., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political leadership--Psychological aspects.

Political leadership.

Politicians--Psychology.

Politicians.

Self-acceptance.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 161 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Rulers of all kinds, from feudal monarchs to democratic presidents and prime ministers, justify themselves to themselves through a variety of rituals, rhetoric, and dramatisations, using everything from architecture and coinage to etiquette and portraiture. This kind of legitimation - self-legitimation - has been overlooked in an age which is concerned principally with how government can be justified in the eyes of its citizens. In this book, Rodney Barker argues that at least as much time is spent by rulers legitimating themselves in their own eyes, and cultivating their own sense of identity, as is spent in trying to convince ordinary subjects. Once this dimension of ruling is taken into account, a far fuller understanding can be gained of what rulers are doing when they rule. It can also open the way to a more complete grasp of what subjects are doing, both when they obey and when they rebel.

Contents:

1. Legitimacy and legitimation

2. Legitimating identities

3. King John's Christmas cards: self-legitimation

4. Cousins at home and abroad

5. Rebels and vigilantes

6. Citizens

7. Conclusion.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-157) and index.

ISBN:

1-107-12471-9

0-511-04460-7

0-511-15449-6

9786610421435

0-511-32838-9

0-511-17455-1

0-511-49016-X

0-521-00425-X

1-280-42143-6

OCLC:

51203002