Overview

Brute Reality provides an authoritative analysis of those formal attempts, made by prominent social actors, to present a rationale for the existence and exercise of coercive power. The 'War on Terror' and its associated campaigns are presented as an aggressive attempt to assert the contradictory interests of a trans-national elite. The period chosen to illustrate the key characteristics of this enterprise, extends from the state of 'war' created after the September 11th attacks, to the strategic adjustments begun during the nadir of the Iraq adventure; it also includes reference to the modifications in policy carried out under the auspices of the Obama Presidency. The book provides a critical insight into a number of influential structures that have helped to shape contemporary attitudes to warfare, and contains a wealth of transcripts and media sources, from Channel Four's coverage of September 11th, to the rhetorical pronouncements of leading politicians. Brute Reality represents a significant addition to the existing literature on representations of the 'War on Terror' in the mass media, and will have a strong appeal to keen students of media, communication, cultural and American studies.

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9780745320809

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Brute Reality offers an original, incisive and elegantly written analysis of contemporary warfare, rhetoric and power. Stuart Price argues that changes in the leadership of belligerent states will not prevent the consolidation of the western 'security regime'. This powerful structure is not a 'threat' to modern democracy, but expresses instead the values that lie at its core. -- Karen Ross, Professor of Media and Public Communication, University of Liverpool This timely and important book dismantles the myths of the war on terror and demonstrates how the rhetoric of terror provides a pretext for the consolidation of state security and the expansion of military power. Brute Reality is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the politics of war, violence and power in the twenty-first century. -- Stephen Morton, University of Southampton

'An original, incisive and elegantly written analysis of contemporary warfare, rhetoric and power' -- Karen Ross, Professor of Media and Public Communication, University of Liverpool 'Dismantles the myths of the war on terror and demonstrates how the rhetoric of terror provides a pretext for the consolidation of state security and the expansion of military power' -- Stephen Morton, University of Southampton

'Dismantles the myths of the war on terror and demonstrates how the rhetoric of terror provides a pretext for the consolidation of state security and the expansion of military power' -- Stephen Morton, University of Southampton 'An original, incisive and elegantly written analysis of contemporary warfare, rhetoric and power' -- Karen Ross, Professor of Media and Public Communication, University of Liverpool

Author Information

Stuart Price is Principal Lecturer in Media, Film and Journalism, at De Montfort University, UK. He is the author of Brute Reality: Power, Discourse and the Mediation of War (Pluto, 2010) and Discourse Power Address (2007).

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