Fantasy and Political Violence

The Meaning of Anti-Communism in Chile

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Political violence is often understood in terms of rationality and strategic reasoning, or in terms of psychological breakdown due to structural transformations of society. Such approaches, however, allow us to understand only the ´tip of the iceberg´ of a much deeper social phenomenon. Margarita Palacios analyzes political antagonism as expressing meaning and desire while bringing to the fore the paradoxical dynamic of morality and enjoyment which accompanies political violence. Her perspective informed by social theory and psychoanalysis shows the interplay of fear, hate, moral claims, and desire.

This book is valuable reading for researchers and students from the social sciences and humanities, in particular in the fields of sociology, political science, cultural studies, Latin American studies, and the emerging field of psycho-social studies.