Capitalism, Hegemony and Violence in the Age of Drones [electronic resource] /
Pollack, Norman.author.
This book offers a critical analysis of the rise of the US to global hegemony against a background of increased erosion of democracy and rule of law, and a rising linear pattern of near-absolute capitalist development. The author argues that the significant shrinkage of the ideological spectrum globally, as a result of worrisome levels of business and government interpenetration, has created a dangerous 'prefascist configuration' whereby unthinkable levels of violence have been normalized through the use of technologies such as drones, increasingly condoned even by 'liberal' groups and the so-called political left. Using the example of the Obama administration and its increased reliance on drone assassinations, the volume makes a case for the dangers that lie in today's unique convergence of lack of transparency in government, business-government interpenetration, informal social regimentation, and militarization of capitalism.
Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.
1. Introduction: Moral-Political Philosophy, A Spectrum Shift Rightward  -- 2. Advancing Monopoly Capitalism: A Totalitarian Mental Landscape  -- 3. Hierarchical Structuring of the Social Order: Ideological Implications  -- 4. Interpenetration: Business-Government Co-Partnership  -- 5. Comparative Probing of Fascism: Japan and America  -- 6. Liberal Dimensions of Structural Uniformity: Capitalism and National Power  -- 7. Framework of Corporatism: Contrasts in Leadership (FDR vs. Obama)  -- 8. Political Reflections: Education of a (Sometime) Radical  -- 9. Master of Counterrevolution: Obama—Character and Policies  -- 10. Butchers of the Beltway: Anatomy of “Legitimated Violence”  -- 11. American/Israeli War Crimes: National Policies Engendering Fear  -- 12. Contempt for the Law: Presidential Subterfuge  -- 13. Nadir of Public Morality: The Age of the Drone  -- 14. The Drone and Aberrant Government: Normalization of the Unthinkable  -- 15. On Distance and Disconnection: Entering a Moral Black Hole  -- 16. “Greater Leverage”: Military-Speak for Imperialism  -- 17. A Moment in American Policy: The Death of Anwar al-Awlaki  -- 18. Transgressions of Moral Law: Enlarged Scope of Legal Authority  -- 19. Stirrings Toward Usurpation: Defying the Rule of Law  -- 20. Echoes of the Cold War: A Strategy of Pre-Emptive Strikes  -- 21. Epilogue:  Threads Left Unexplored: Objectification and Bureaucratization.
This book offers a critical analysis of the rise of the US to global hegemony against a background of increased erosion of democracy and rule of law, and a rising linear pattern of near-absolute capitalist development. The author argues that the significant shrinkage of the ideological spectrum globally, as a result of worrisome levels of business and government interpenetration, has created a dangerous 'prefascist configuration' whereby unthinkable levels of violence have been normalized through the use of technologies such as drones, increasingly condoned even by 'liberal' groups and the so-called political left. Using the example of the Obama administration and its increased reliance on drone assassinations, the volume makes a case for the dangers that lie in today's unique convergence of lack of transparency in government, business-government interpenetration, informal social regimentation, and militarization of capitalism.
International relations.
Political theory.
United States—Politics and government.
Political philosophy.
Political science.
Foreign Policy.
Political Theory.
US Politics.
Political Philosophy.
Governance and Government.
International Relations Theory.