Format:
1 online resource (161 pages)
ISBN:
9781136178375
Series Statement:
Interventions Ser.
Content:
In the last two decades especially, we have witnessed the rise of 'celebrity' forms of global humanitarianism and charity work, spearheaded by entertainment stars, billionaires, and activist NGOs (e.g. Bob Geldof, Bono, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Bill Gates, George Soros, Save Darfur, Medeçins Sans Frontières). This book examines this new phenomenon, arguing that celebrity humanitarianism legitimates, and indeed promotes, neoliberal capitalism and global inequality. Drawing on Slavoj Žižek's work, the book argues how celebrity humanitarianism, far from being altruistic, is significantly contaminated and ideological: it is most often self-serving, helping to promote institutional aggrandizement and the celebrity 'brand'; it advances consumerism and corporate capitalism, and rationalizes the very global inequality it seeks to redress; it is fundamentally depoliticizing, despite its pretensions to 'activism'; and it contributes to a 'postdemocratic' political landscape, which appears outwardly open and consensual, but is in fact managed by unaccountable elites.
Content:
Cover -- Title -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Introduction: celebrity humanitarianism and ideology -- 1 Celebrities: humanitarians or ideologues? -- 2 Billionaires and corporate philanthropy: 'decaf capitalism' -- 3 'Spectacular NGOs': activism without action? -- Conclusion: what is to be done? -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
Note:
Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources
,
Cover; Title; Copyright Page; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Introduction: celebrity humanitarianism and ideology; 1 Celebrities: humanitarians or ideologues?; 2 Billionaires and corporate philanthropy: 'decaf capitalism'; 3 'Spectacular NGOs': activism without action?; Conclusion: what is to be done?; Notes; Bibliography; Index;
Additional Edition:
ISBN 9780415783385
Additional Edition:
Erscheint auch als Druck-Ausgabe ISBN 9780415783385
Language:
English
Keywords:
Electronic books
URL:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/kxp/detail.action?docID=1074883
