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Normal Now

Individualism as Conformity
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Normal Now by Mark G. E. Kelly delves into the shifting landscapes of political norms and societal dynamics. It examines contemporary political challenges, exploring how past standards contrast with present realities. The book offers critical insights into how these changes impact governance and public discourse.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are intrigued by analyses of contemporary political trends and the potential shapes of our future societies. It dives into the nuances of current political affairs and offers insightful perspectives that challenge conventional thinking. Suitable for readers keen on exploring how present-day politics might evolve.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This is a book about what we consider normal. It details how the very concept of normality emerged in the modern era, and how it has changed over the centuries.

By the mid-twentieth century, the expansion of norms across various areas of human endeavour generated a governing normative order in Western societies. Normality was defined as conformity with a narrow model of conventional human behaviour. However, this model has since been displaced by an anti-conformism, in which normality is defined as absolute self-fulfilment, defying older restrictions on our behaviour. Paradoxically, narcissistic individualism and rebellion against conformity have become compulsory.

Normal Now explores in detail how this new normative order plays out today in the arenas of politics, health, and sex and sexuality. In all these areas, the uncompromising perfectionism of our norms of self-expression leads to increasingly deep-seated and ubiquitous anger, anxiety, and dissatisfaction.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Normal Now by Mark G. E. Kelly is seen as a bold and provocative examination of the shift from rule-based to norm-based governance in society. Reviewing the works of Canguilhem and Foucault, it offers a fundamental critique of normative political theory. The book explores the paradox of normality, where one must reject normality to appear normal, questioning the potential to break free from norms.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509550951

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 April 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 218.0mm

Weight: 272g

Pages: 184

About the Author

Mark G. E. Kellyย is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western Sydney University.

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