Heroism and Global Politics

The rhetoric of heroism is used in politics to create, sustain, and challenge political communities. This book examines the cultural and political phenomenon of heroism and its relationship to the process of creating, sustaining, and challenging political communities. It argues that heroism is socially constructed and relational and that heroes and heroic narratives always serve particular interests. Studying the heroes that have been sanctioned by a community can tell us important things about that community, while understanding those who are presented in opposition to heroes can also tell us a great deal about the politics of a state or a regime.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The pervasive influence of heroism in politics manifests in various ways. Political leaders showcase their own heroic achievements, soldiers are honored at sporting events, ordinary citizens are elevated to the status of state symbols (or symbols of opposition), and high-profile celebrities embody a glamorized, humanitarian heroism.

To explore the cultural and political phenomenon of heroism and its intricate relationship with the formation, sustenance, and transformation of political communities, this book employs a range of analytical tools drawn from international relations, gender studies, war studies, history, and comparative politics. The contributors argue that heroism is a socially constructed and relational construct, highlighting its ability to serve specific interests by shaping and perpetuating particular images of states and other political communities.

By examining the heroes that are sanctioned and celebrated within a particular community, we gain valuable insights into that community's self-perception, values, and urgent needs at a specific time. Conversely, understanding those who are presented as opposition to heroes or who emerge as heroes of resistance movements provides valuable insights into the politics of a state or regime. Heroes, paradoxically, serve as the institutionalization of political power while remaining amorphous, capable of transitioning from revered figures to despised villains in a matter of moments.

This book will appeal to scholars and students engaged in research on international relations, gender, security, war studies, comparative politics, state building, and political communities. It offers a comprehensive examination of heroism, shedding light on its cultural, social, and political dimensions, and its profound impact on the formation and evolution of political communities.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032338828