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Political Science History & Theory

Rethinking the Spectacle

Guy Debord, Radical Democracy, and the Digital Age

by (author) Devin Penner

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Jun 2019
Category
History & Theory, Social Theory, Media Studies
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774860536
    Publish Date
    Jun 2019
    List Price
    $32.99
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774860505
    Publish Date
    Jun 2019
    List Price
    $89.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774860512
    Publish Date
    Feb 2020
    List Price
    $32.95

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Description

Spectacle is usually considered a superficial form of politics, which tries to distract and deceive a passive audience. It is difficult to see how this type of politics could be reconciled with the democratic requirement of active and informed agency. Rethinking the Spectacle re-examines the tension between spectacle and political agency using the ideas and practices of Guy Debord and the Situationist International as a point of departure. Drawing on radical democratic theory and examining case studies such as the 2011 Occupy movement, Devin Penner concludes that spectacle can and should be used to mobilize the public for egalitarian purposes.

About the author

Devin Penner is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Studies at Trent University.

Devin Penner's profile page