Scapegoats for a Profession

Often thought to be a primitive or ancient practice, scapegoating is revealed here as occurring in the justice systems of modern democracies. Ann Daniel, as a first-hand witness, documents several widely publicized disciplinary cases brought against prominent professionals in law and medicine. These were the people who became scapegoats as their professional communities tried to rid itself of troubles and confusions threatening their reputation at the time.

"Scapegoats for a Profession" is an insightful and ground breaking analysis of the scapegoat as a sociological process, which emerged from a three-year Australian Research Council grant into disciplinary practices in the professions. While appealing to those fascinated by famous trials and the workings of discipline and punishment, this book is essential reading for professionals, students and academics in the social sciences, management, law, and medicine.