The history of humanity was full of accomplishments. However, it was also full of dramatic failures and emotions that accompanied them. Most people know the taste of fear. Many others have learned the smell of panics. Yet, the concept of moral panics is relatively new. It is moral panic that is at the center of Erich Goode and Nachman Ben-Yehuda 's book Moral Panics: The Social Construction of Deviance. The book can be considered as a relevant and informative response to the growing diversity of deviant behaviors in the human society. The book illustrates and analyzes a popular fear that such behaviors will undermine the stability of the society 's structural values. Moral panic is at the center of Goode and Ben-Yehuda 's sociological analysis.
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In the introduction, a detailed analysis of the concept is provided. Goode and Ben-Yehuda point out that the state of moral panic is not limited to the public fear of some threat. It also incorporates the need to respond to such deviance (Goode & Ben-Yehuda 36). In the following chapters, Goode and Ben-Yehuda use three different theories to analyze the sociological underpinnings of moral panics. These theories include: elitism, the grassroots theory, and middle-level organizational frameworks (52). The role of media in igniting and guiding moral panics is also considered (Goode & Ben-Yehuda 88). The authors support theory with rich examples from history, including the Israeli Drug Panic of 1982 and the Renaissance Witch …show more content…
Basically, it provides the reader with a unique opportunity to delve into the essence of moral panics, its meaning, and its actual manifestations at different stages of social development and history. Goode and Ben-Yehuda have managed to analyze the issue of moral panics in its complexity, supporting their analysis with rich and informative examples and uncovering the hidden facets of the phenomena and its implications for social growth. Another strong side of the book is that it is particularly easy to read. Consequently, it can be equally useful for scholars and students in sociology. Finally, it gives an impetus for developing a better awareness of moral panics in society. Being equipped with such knowledge, future communities may develop higher levels of resistance to moral panics and prevent media from exaggerating the actual threat posed by deviance to their morality, cultural values, and justice. Simultaneously, future societies will not be able to avoid moral panics; nor will they secure themselves from their negative influences. "Panics are not like fads, trivial in nature and inconsequential in their impact" (Goode & Ben-Yehuda 250). What societies can reasonably do is be ready to face the moments of instability and translate them into productive social change. In summary, moral panics are an interesting subject of sociological analysis. The book by Goode and Ben-Yehuda sets the
In the introduction, a detailed analysis of the concept is provided. Goode and Ben-Yehuda point out that the state of moral panic is not limited to the public fear of some threat. It also incorporates the need to respond to such deviance (Goode & Ben-Yehuda 36). In the following chapters, Goode and Ben-Yehuda use three different theories to analyze the sociological underpinnings of moral panics. These theories include: elitism, the grassroots theory, and middle-level organizational frameworks (52). The role of media in igniting and guiding moral panics is also considered (Goode & Ben-Yehuda 88). The authors support theory with rich examples from history, including the Israeli Drug Panic of 1982 and the Renaissance Witch …show more content…
Basically, it provides the reader with a unique opportunity to delve into the essence of moral panics, its meaning, and its actual manifestations at different stages of social development and history. Goode and Ben-Yehuda have managed to analyze the issue of moral panics in its complexity, supporting their analysis with rich and informative examples and uncovering the hidden facets of the phenomena and its implications for social growth. Another strong side of the book is that it is particularly easy to read. Consequently, it can be equally useful for scholars and students in sociology. Finally, it gives an impetus for developing a better awareness of moral panics in society. Being equipped with such knowledge, future communities may develop higher levels of resistance to moral panics and prevent media from exaggerating the actual threat posed by deviance to their morality, cultural values, and justice. Simultaneously, future societies will not be able to avoid moral panics; nor will they secure themselves from their negative influences. "Panics are not like fads, trivial in nature and inconsequential in their impact" (Goode & Ben-Yehuda 250). What societies can reasonably do is be ready to face the moments of instability and translate them into productive social change. In summary, moral panics are an interesting subject of sociological analysis. The book by Goode and Ben-Yehuda sets the