Show Time: The Logic and Power of Violent Display

Show Time by Lee Ann Fujii explores why political violence perpetrators display their acts of violence publicly and extravagantly, examining three horrific and extreme episodes. It shows how violent displays are staged to kill enemies, affect observers, reinforce political identities, social hierarchies, and power structures, and force members of the community to choose sides.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In her book "Show Time," Lee Ann Fujii delves into the enigmatic phenomenon of political violence, exploring why certain perpetrators choose to manifest their acts of violence in public and extravagant ways. Through a meticulous examination of three chilling and extreme episodes—the murder of a prominent Tutsi family amidst the genocide in Rwanda, the execution of Muslim men in a Serb-controlled village in Bosnia during the Balkan Wars, and the lynching of a twenty-two-year-old Black farmhand on Maryland's Eastern Shore in 1933—Fujii unveils the intricate mechanisms behind these violent displays. These spectacles are not merely acts of killing perceived enemies or threats, but also serve as tools to manipulate and influence observers, neighbors, and the broader society.

The profound impact of witnessing and participating in these violent spectacles is undeniable. It reinforces political identities, social hierarchies, and power structures, shaping the perceptions and behaviors of those involved. Moreover, these public spectacles force members of the community to take sides, either openly supporting the goals of the violence or risking becoming victims themselves. By tracing the unfolding dynamics of public displays of violence, "Show Time" sheds light on the strategies employed by perpetrators to exploit the fluidity of social ties for their own ends.

This book is a crucial contribution to our understanding of political violence, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking analysis of the motivations and consequences of such acts. It serves as a warning to society, reminding us of the importance of addressing the root causes of violence and working towards a more peaceful and just world.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501758546