Toward a Sociology of Public Confessions
Issue Date
2012-12-31Author
Decker, Stephanie Kristine
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
156 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Discipline
Sociology
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
An analysis of transcripts from three very different sets of public confessions--the Moscow Show Trials, the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission Amnesty Hearings, and Iraq Veterans Against the War's Winter Soldier--identifies the common characteristics of public confessions. These confessions all occurred after deviant acts demonstrated an inconsistency within the social order--typically violent behavior that was formally condemned but was also encouraged, accepted, and even ordered by officials, reflecting a larger lack of consensus as to what was acceptable and what was unacceptable within the societies. The confessions addressed the nature of the deviance, assigned responsibility for the deviance, discussed the implications of the deviance for political legitimacy, and sought closure. Historically, power holders have organized public confessions to acquit the social order of any responsibility for deviant acts, to legitimize their authority, and to delegitimize their challengers. However, with the advent of new forms of media that allow for user-generated content, individuals and social movements may now intentionally organize public confessions to challenge the legitimacy of power holders and the social order.
Collections
- Dissertations [4701]
- Sociology Dissertations and Theses [155]
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.