Description
A World of Victims
Book Summary
This essay analyzes the surprising rise of the figure of the victim in contemporary society, which has moved from a peripheral position to become a central actor in politics, the media, and the moral economy. The author explores the historical and social causes of this global phenomenon, questioning the welfare logics and reparation policies that accompany it. An essential work to understand how and why the discourse of victimization structures our present.
What is it about?
The book addresses the "outburst" of the figure of the victim in today's world, a process by which an increasing number of people and causes are recognized under this category. Gatti asks about the social and historical processes that explain this centrality, examining how the victim has become a key sociological figure. The work covers the multiple dimensions of this phenomenon: from the proliferation of laws and protocols for action to the creation of institutions, conferences, and specialized doctoral programs. Faced with the abundant welfare-oriented perspective, the author proposes ways to critically understand this transformation, analyzing the political, ethical, and social implications of living in "a world of victims."
Main themes
- The social construction of the figure of the victim in contemporary times.
- The rise of reparation, aid, and assistance policies.
- The relationship between victimization, human rights, and moral economy.
- The role of the media and politics in making victims visible.
- Critical analysis of institutional discourses and practices surrounding suffering.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals in sociology, political science, anthropology, and social work, as well as readers interested in contemporary debates on human rights, violence, and memory. It will also be of great use to activists, public policy managers, and anyone seeking a deep and critical understanding of the place the victim occupies in our societies.
What this book contributes
- A critical and original perspective on a highly current social phenomenon.
- A solid theoretical framework for understanding the centrality of the victim in the public sphere.
- Analytical tools to question predominant welfare logics.
- An exhaustive review of the political, media, and moral dimensions of victimhood.
Technical data
- Author: GABRIEL GATTI
- Publisher: Anthropos Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: LITERARY ESSAYS, VIOLENCE IN SOCIETY, SOCIOLOGY, SOCIAL THEORY, HUMAN RIGHTS, INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
- Collection: SOCIAL SCIENCES
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: April 2017
- Number of pages: 432
- Weight: 520 g
Editorial review
A rigorous and necessary essay that delves deeply into one of the most significant social phenomena of our time. Gatti's work stands out for its ability to go beyond welfare discourse and offer the reader tools to critically understand how the figure of the victim has come to structure our political and moral reality. Its interdisciplinary approach and detailed analysis make it a fundamental reference for those who wish to explore this topic from an academic and reflective perspective.