Markus Kienscherf Livres

Exploring the interplay of technology and identity, this thesis examines William Gibson's Sprawl Trilogy, highlighting its blend of high-tech elements and myth. It reveals a tension between individualism and the longing for stable identities, articulated through the constructs of the cyborg and the net. The study delves into how these technologies influence concepts of signification, subjectivity, and identity, ultimately showcasing Gibson's unique approach to literature in the context of American Studies.

Exploring the concepts of simulation and hyperreality, this essay delves into Jean Baudrillard's provocative theories, particularly in relation to the Gulf Wars. It examines how these conflicts exemplify his notion of the third order of simulacra, where reality is overshadowed by images and representations. The paper discusses Baudrillard's differentiation between structural and functional value, drawing on Marx and Saussure, to argue that contemporary events are shaped by models rather than direct realities, highlighting the complexities of meaning in a media-saturated world.

Focusing on the convergence of domestic and international security frameworks, this book examines the trend of global pacification under the guise of 'security'. It delves into how these regimes are increasingly interconnected and the implications of this shift for policy and society. Through analysis, it sheds light on the evolving definitions of security and the impact on global relations.

Exploring the concept of modernity, this essay delves into how contemporary experiences differ from traditional ones, highlighting the impact of techno-scientific advancements on perceptions of space, time, and identity. It discusses the instability and rapid changes characterizing modern life, referencing Pierre Nora's idea of the "acceleration of history" to illustrate the fleeting nature of the present. The essay also distinguishes between memory and history, emphasizing the uncertainty that defines the modern experience.

This book maps the increasing convergence of US domestic and international security regimes, analyzing the trend towards global pacification in the name of 'security'. The dream of liberal world peace after the Cold War is on the verge of collapsing into permanent global pacification – not only in the global south but also in pockets of the ‘Third World’ within the territory of Western states. In this volume, the author explores the ways in which regimes of security have been extended into increasingly large aspects of social life and shows that their expansion has been driven by a constant broadening of the notion of 'war'. Filling a gap in the literature, the book demonstrates how US security agencies have sought to develop indeterminate security capabilities aimed at distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate flows of people and resources. This analysis of regimes of security is tied to a more general discussion about the persistence, or even multiplication, of illiberal forms of power within liberal governmentality. This book will be of much interest to students of security studies, war and conflict studies and international relations in general.