Discourse and Affect in Foreign Policy: Germany and the Iraq War

Foreign and security policy have been separated from political pressures, leading to a tendency to separate the analytical levels of the individual and the collective. This book uses Lacanian theory to show that the making of foreign policy is a complex process that involves emotions and affect, even in 'hard security issues'. It constructs a new theoretical framework for analyzing foreign policy and explains Germany's often contradictory foreign policy towards the Iraq crisis of 2002/2003.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Foreign and security policy have long been detached from the political pressures that shape other areas of policymaking, resulting in a tendency to differentiate between the analytical levels of individuals and collectives. This book, employing Lacanian theory, which posits that the subject is inherently incomplete and seeks a perfect identity realized through fantasies or narrative scenarios, demonstrates that the making of foreign policy is a far more intricate and complex process. Emotions and affect play a significant role, even in the realm of 'hard security issues,' such as the use of military force. Eberle develops a novel theoretical framework to analyze foreign policy by capturing the interplay between discursive and affective aspects in policymaking. He applies this framework to explain Germany's often contradictory foreign policy towards the Iraq crisis of 2002/2003, as well as the emotional and existential public debate that accompanied it. This book contributes to ongoing theoretical debates in International Political Sociology and Critical Security Studies and is essential reading for scholars engaged in these fields.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032338422