Abstract:

The article analyzes the heterogeneous forms of action within the state’s preparedness assemblage for biological threats in Israel. By examining preparedness practices in two biological preparedness events — the smallpox vaccination project (a possible event) and the ongoing preparations for pandemic influenza (a virtual event) — the analysis maintains that there are a number of simultaneous state practices that emerge in response to various events. This multiplicity points to the complexity of the state not only institutionally (as a form) but also in terms of its (forms of) action. A focus on complexity contrasts with dominant anthropological approaches, which conceive of the state as a monolithic imaginary tending toward homogeneity rather than as heterogeneous, dynamic and constantly changing in practice. To study the state’s dynamic form of action, I highlight a particular analytical mode that I term the ‘conceptual mode’. This mode of analysis lies between the object mode of analysis (concerned with the structure and form of the state) and the idea mode of analysis (interested in how the state, as an imaginary encompassing entity, increases its power). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Copyright of Anthropological Theory is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Notes:

Accession Number: 66335745; Samimian-Darash, Limor 1; Affiliations: 1 : Stanford University, USA, limordarash@gmail.com; Source Info: Sep2011, Vol. 11 Issue 3, p283; Thesaurus Term: VACCINATION; Thesaurus Term: INFLUENZA; Thesaurus Term: ANTHROPOLOGY; Subject Term: ARCHAEOLOGICAL finds; Subject Term: SMALLPOX; Subject Term: PREPAREDNESS; Subject Term: PANDEMICS; Subject: ISRAEL; Author-Supplied Keyword: biological threats; Author-Supplied Keyword: events; Author-Supplied Keyword: preparedness; Author-Supplied Keyword: state analysis; Number of Pages: 25p; Document Type: Article