Catastrophic technology in Cold War political thought / Caroline Ashcroft.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ashcroft, Caroline, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--Philosophy--History--20th century.

Political science.

Technology--Political aspects--History--20th century.

Technology.

Cold War.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vii, 253 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, 2024.

Summary:

In the mid-twentieth century, a certain idea of technology emerged in the work of many influential political theorists - a critical, catastrophic concept of technology, entangled with the apocalyptic fears fuelled by two all-consuming world wars and the looming nuclear threat. Drawing on the work of theorists such as Hannah Arendt, Jacques Ellul, Martin Heidegger and Herbert Marcuse, 'Catastrophic Technology in Cold War Political Thought' explores the critical idea of technology as both a response to a dramatically changing world, and a radical political critique of Cold War liberalism.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION: CATASTROPHIC TECHNOLOGY IN MODERNITY

1 COLD WAR CRITICS OF TECHNOLOGY

2 HISTORICAL NARRATIVES OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

3 TECHNOLOGIES OF DESTRUCTION: THE SHADOW OF THE BOMB

4 TECHNOLOGIES OF PRODUCTION AND THE RISE OF THE MACHINE

5 THE VEIL OF TECHNOLOGY: MEDIA, PROPAGANDA AND IDEOLOGY

6 TECHNOLOGIES OF THE BODY: MAN AS RAW MATERIAL

7 TECHNOLOGY AND WORLDLINESS: NATURE AND THE TECHNOLOGICAL ARTIFICE

Conclusion: The Lasting Influence of ‘Catastrophic Technology’?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (viewed on June 3, 2026).

ISBN:

9781399535045

1399535048

9781399535038

139953503X