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dc.contributor.advisorStaples, William G.
dc.contributor.authorDecker, Stephanie Kristine
dc.date.accessioned2013-02-17T17:48:15Z
dc.date.available2013-02-17T17:48:15Z
dc.date.issued2012-12-31
dc.date.submitted2012
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dissertations.umi.com/ku:12545
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1808/10832
dc.description.abstractAn 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.
dc.format.extent156 pages
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Kansas
dc.rightsThis item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
dc.subjectSociology
dc.subjectConfession
dc.subjectDeviance
dc.subjectIraq veterans against the war
dc.subjectMoscow show trials
dc.subjectSouth African truth and reconciliation commission
dc.titleToward a Sociology of Public Confessions
dc.typeDissertation
dc.contributor.cmtememberWarren, Carol A. B.
dc.contributor.cmtememberAntonio, Robert J.
dc.contributor.cmtememberObadare, Ebenezer
dc.contributor.cmtememberCrandall, Christian
dc.thesis.degreeDisciplineSociology
dc.thesis.degreeLevelPh.D.
kusw.oastatusna
kusw.oapolicyThis item does not meet KU Open Access policy criteria.
kusw.bibid8085920
dc.rights.accessrightsopenAccess


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