Interdisciplinary Applications of Shame/Violence Theory (eBook)

This book takes James Gilligan's theory of shame and violence as a starting point for an application of the model across disciplines (psychology, sociology, philosophy, political science, cultural studies, history, architecture and urban studies) and levels of analysis (from the individual to the global). It critically engages with shame theory, exploring the existential origins, the emotional, linguistic, cognitive and cultural manifestations and symptoms of shame-in the mind, in the body, in public space and in the civic culture-and its relationship with other emotions, such as anger, guilt and pride. It also examines the role of shame in communities that are at the fault lines of current affairs, identity politics and 'culture wars', such as Brexit, trans rights, and racial equality. The book contributes to the literature on political psychology and psychosocial studies by facilitating an innovative application of the concept of shame: blending theory and practice, focusing on gender as a key lever of the mechanism of shame, and exploring the mechanics of shame and shame awareness, so as to seek and propose a range of guiding principles, practical models and possible solutions for the future.

Roman Gerodimos is Professor of Global Current Affairs at Bournemouth University, UK, and a Faculty Member at the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change, Austria. His research focuses on the challenges facing democracy and global security, and on drivers of civic and global engagement. He is the co-editor of The Media, Political Participation and Empowerment (2013) and The Politics of Extreme Austerity: Greece in the Eurozone Crisis (2015). He has led research projects funded by NATO, the UK Department for International Development, the Independent Social Research Foundation, and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has also written, directed and produced four short films and a feature length documentary (Deterrence). Roman is the winner of the Political Studies Association's Arthur McDougall Prize for his research on youth civic engagement, and founder of the Greek Politics Specialist Group of the PSA.