Aesthetics and World Politics
-
Writen byRoland Bleiker - PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
- Year2009
Roland Bleiker’s Aesthetics and World Politics provides a systematic assessment of how aesthetics intersects with global politics. The book argues that traditional political analysis often overlooks the role of art, culture, and emotions in shaping world affairs. By incorporating aesthetic perspectives, Bleiker challenges conventional methodologies in international relations and political science. The book explores language, poetics, visual representations, and symbolic expressions in global politics through a series of case studies. These studies illustrate how aesthetics can influence perceptions of conflict, diplomacy, and identity, offering an alternative way to understand international affairs beyond rationalist frameworks. In today’s media-driven political landscape, where visual narratives, cultural symbols, and artistic expressions shape public discourse, Bleiker’s work remains highly relevant. The increasing role of social media, visual storytelling, and artistic activism in movements like climate advocacy, anti-war protests, and human rights campaigns aligns with the book’s central themes. As political aesthetics gain traction in fields like soft power diplomacy, identity politics, and postcolonial studies, this book provides a critical lens for analyzing contemporary global issues. This book is a must-read for scholars and practitioners interested in the intersection of art, culture, and international politics. It challenges rigid political theories and offers an innovative, interdisciplinary perspective on global affairs

