Dissent, Discourse, and Democracy

Reviews / Votes

In combining an uncommon alchemy of critical theory, rhetorical analysis, and a methodology as extraordinary as his subject matter, Guitar painstakingly deconstructs in literal terms how no good deed goes unpunished. The magician's trick in this book is not just how the democratic work of whistleblowing becomes transformed into manifestations of authoritarian state power but also how those sites of transformation are underexplored, fertile grounds for further critical inquiry. What emerges is a work deep in thought and in need of immediate attention by critical theorists, whistleblower researchers, and scholars. -- Alan Chu, Kent State University Stark As anarchist protests have attracted the eyes of the mainstream media, Guitar's book is perfectly timed. His anti-statist historical critique explains how the treatment and approval of whistleblowing often gives tacit acceptance to authoritarian ideology that lurks beneath. This book is a must for those looking to understand how the State legitimizes itself through shifts in discourse surrounding whistleblowing. Guitar brings a novel method of analysis, abstruction analysis, that should find its way into the toolbox of ideological critics. -- Craig Hennigan, Truman State University Joshua Guitar radically transforms the doxa surrounding whistleblowing. This book draws on anarchist theory to devise a theoretical framework for analyzing whistleblowing discourse. The analysis illuminates the statist ideological underpinnings that permeate whistleblowing narratives. Whistleblowing can signify speaking truth to power, but it can also be appropriated by those in power. This critique is a must read for anyone concerned with democratic speech and those who speak out against abuse of power. -- Avery Henry, Florida State University