Examine Zizek's Concept - Essay Example

Name: Tutor: Task: Date: Introduction Slavoj Žižek is one significant author who provides a powerful evaluation of the September 11/ 2001 attacks on the U.S. He uses the discourse of ‘’passion for the real ‘’ to depict the reality that was experienced by America following the September 11 attacks. Žižek highlights that September 11 gave the U.S.A a chance to realize what kind of world she was part of. Unlike the 19th centaury were reality was marked by Utopianism of scientific ideas and projects for the incoming future the 20th centaury, (Zizek,5) highlights that the actual definition moment for reality in the 20th centaury is evidently marked by violence as the ultimate payment, as a result of peeling of the layer of reality. The events of September 11 mark the beginning of a new form of reality for the world and essentially for the U.S. This particular essay aims at evaluating concept of ‘’passion for the real’’ foremost by evaluating the various forms of passion for the real as proposed by Zizek, and their application to the September 11 event. In addition the paper will also provide an extensive theoretical approach to the 9/11 incident. Zizek outlines various forms of ‘’passion for the real’’. One of his analogies is illustrated though adoption of violent returns in order to attain what a person may perceive as real (10). He gives the examples of cutters who inflict pain on themselves in order to attain what they perceive as real. Just as Foucault interpreted the concept of discourse as a distinct set of meaning that is situated around a theme or an issue which determines what we know and how we know it. The adopting of the concept of ‘’passion for the real’’ for most average Americans resolved around created images (movies) that would inflict sorry and pain on their mind. Unthinkable events would happen on TV screens such as bombings, building collapsing, such as those captured by movies like the Independence Day and escape from New York. The basic assumption that can derived from such a phenomena is that the discourse of TV screen reality has been used to gratify the imaginary ‘’passion for reality’’ for the average American, yet they had no idea that this was actually a reality that was to be faced on September 11, 2001. Zizek (16) brings to light the fact that Holly wood disaster movies were objects of fantasy for events that were unthinkable, however in a way September 11 was an indication that America had in real sense gotten what she had been fantasizing about long time. Jean (1995 ,3 ) draw attention to the fact that the cold war was a reflection of what used to happen on the T.V screens, however people never imagined that at one time images of the effects of war would be real. The footages of casualties, dead solders and smart bombings were real. Just like in the September 11 incidents the images depicted were realistic, terror was on American soil it was not imaginary but rather realistic. Another expression of ‘’passion for the real’’ according to Zizek (9), is fundamental terror whereby masses are so much immersed in the belief of war and terror that no possible attempt of raising consciousness and political education can intervene to shake them out of their ideologies. Foucault argues that the aspect of transgression has replaced real sacred living in contemporary culture. Foucault’s perspective of transgression replacing real sacred living can be linked to the notion of fulfilling the ‘’ requirements of religion’’. Many wonder how it is possible that an individual would have such disregard of their own lives to the extent of sacrificing their lives in order to fulfill what they believe to be true and real, by placing bombs on their bodies, in order to destroy the enemy like in the September attacks. One wonders, what runs through the minds of such individuals? However in their reality, they do believe that they are fulfilling the recommended practice of Jihad, which is an endeavor to practice religion in the face of persecution and oppression. The aspect of fundamental terror also resulted to policy makers trying devise strategies of dealing with the 9/11 attack as a result there priority was grounded on the 2003 invasion Iraq , which may analysts have argued to be a counter reaction of the September 11 attack. The International Studies Association (2004, 5) highlights that the selling of the Iraq invasion in 2003 started as early as September 11 when various influential individuals argued that bush should put into consideration the move of bombing Iraq. The then secretary of state Madeleine Albright stated that invading Iraq was actually a hard choice however the price linked to the attempt may actually be worth it. Zizek’s notion of ’’ passion for the real ’’ in terms of fundamental terror is an aspect that is linked to the 9/ 11 event. This is because the initiators of the attacks were immersed in the belief that war and terror was the only solution to meet their reality. On the other hand those attacked (the U.S) believed that initiating attacks was the only solution to their problem. Zizek (p 6) highlights that reality is sometimes eluded by the sexuality domain (pg 6) whereby people in modern society get real passion of their reality from fascination of sexual images from websites. Zizek further highlights that people get too close to the images or objects they desire however they are later disgusted by their erotic fascinations. As a result as Foucault argues transgression is conducted through the breaking of rules whereby social behaviour go beyond the acceptable values (Smart, 2002, 117). Zizek highlights that New York City the targeted area for the September 11 attack, was surrounded by elusive fantasy of how sexual gratification can be attained. For instance the Popular Manhattan TV shows like ‘’sex in the city’’ illustrated a cosmopolitan discourse whereby anything can happen including attaining sexual gratification through what ever means. However the September 11, brought about a new feeling of ‘’passion for reality’’ Zizek (145) highlights that the aftermath of the September 11 was a great challenge for New York residents. What Zizek tries to portray is that the September 11 attacks made people revert to realizing that they were actually in the real world where not even sexual gratification could eliminate the adverse effects of the attack. New Yorkers woke up to a city with burning towers and the smell of spoke everywhere. As a result ‘’passion for reality’’ was not the elusive sexual gratification attained from sexual delight but rather the reality of war and terror that exists in the real world. Zizek also brings to light the fact that the September 11 attack gave the U.S chance of dealing with raw or actual reality. The collapsing of the world trade center for instance was a symbolism that financial capitalism can sometimes bring very adverse effects. A clear analysis of class struggle that is usually caught up due to differences in systems of power was signified by the collapse of the worlds greatest capitalist control center; the WTC (Zizek 46) .Just as Foucault’s highlights that power can be repressive, because it work to control others, an assumption can be made that the September attacks, target of the World Trade Center , was an indication of what Karl Marx prophesized as the day when working class( peasants ) will rise and destroy all the capitalist efforts of the Aristocrats or the ruling class. Zizek evaluation of the concept of passion for the real integrates Foucault’s view that power operates through a particular discursive regime. To Foucault discourse is an aspect that brings a defining reality in the relationship between states by creating the possibility of analyzing power relations and nature of relationship that exists between two states. Zizek ( 2002,145) brings to light the fact that the love of New York city become problematic when the suspicions of others showed that they did not fully share the American pain. What Zizek meant by other in this particular context was Europe. The September 11th fiasco was an indication that it was time for Europe to moves speedily and assert its autonomy, economic and political ideology. What is evident is that just as Foucault attributes power as an aspect that influences a complex change of relations according to circumstance and over time, indeed the September 11 incident acted as a clear indication of the real or true power relations that existed between the U.S and Europe. The notion that Europe did not sincerely care is a debatable notion however Zizek (145) argues that, for the legacy of Europe to survive she should have taken opportunity of the September 11 fiasco to quickly assert her legitimacy in terms of global power. Zizek (pg, 145) also brings to light the fact that the September 11 occurrence introduces a new political ideology which is at its purest referred to as ‘’ the war against terrorism’’. Naom Chomsky (2001, 54) argues that the September 11 attacks greatly threatened civil liberty as a result there was need for powerful states to formulate a body of knowledge that would assist in countering terrorism. Zizek (p144) further highlights that what is at stake is basically not the political or the economic choices of states involved but rather the aspect that ‘’you are either with us or against us’’, which implied that powerful nations of the world were basically influencing other states to join theme to progress their ideology of war against terror. Foucault’s brings out the clear link between power and knowledge relations, whereby he believed that knowledge constitutes a form of power. It can be acquired from power and therefore produces rather than prevents it ( Simons ,1995, 66) .When linked with power, knowledge gains authority as being the truth and also attains the capability of making itself true. Foucault further highlights that In order for truth to be produced there is need for making claims that can be justified and sustained (Simons, 1995, 66). When applied in real life, any knowledge causes some change and has the ability to evolve itself into truth. The development of the ideology of ‘’ war against terror ‘’ by powerful nation’s following the September 11 incident was thus a new reality for the entire world. A state is to either be for or against the war against terror. Zizek also introduces to the idea the concept of the ‘’desert of the real’’. He argues that the U.S was treated to the reality that the perception that America was a safe haven was actually a fantasy. This is because after the September attack New York one of the most prolific and free cities in the U .S was ironically not a safe place to walk in. The U.S had perception of itself as a Island that was immune to sorts of violence, witnessing the September 11 attack was actually not real to the eyes of many. Zizek claims that many American citizens asked themselves why should such as horrific event happen to us?’’ America was introduced to ‘’the desert of the real’’ where human life is threatened. Essentially 9/11 made the U.S realize that she is not immune that if war and terror can occur in Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Congo, the same can still happen in the land perceived to be the safe of the world. Zizek (146) states the effects of the September 11 attacks was a symbolic reality for the U.S to get a taste of what happens outside the world. Zizek argument that America should realize that it was no longer a safe haven as imagined by many brings about the reasoning that there is need for enhancing security. Foucault’s proposes that in order to enhance the management of normality in society, there is need for adoption of constant surveillance in societal bodies. To Foucault surveillance acts as a means of enhancing discipline among bodies .In deed after the September 11th attacks resulted to the U.S intensifying its security system in order to counter any form of looming attack. In addition the sending of the U.S troops to Afghanistan was initiated to enhance the surveillance of the region where the suspects of September attacks are believed to reside. What is evident is that the U.S opened its eyes to reality that it not only other boundaries that required intensified security due to insecurity but rather its own grounds also required intense defense . Conclusion Zizek‘s work evaluates the events of September 2010 through using the concept of passion for the real in various dimensions. One of the forms of passion for the real involves the aspect of fundamental terror whereby contemporary society is greatly immersed in the belief that war and terror are the only functional strategies that can solve the human problems. Secondly fantasy beliefs of gratifying sexuality are so much entrenched in the minds of people that they forget the fact they are living in the real world as result the September 11 was an awakening for many. Zizek also introduces us to the rise of a new political ideology of war against terror and the various manifestation of power that resulted from the September 11 attacks. In summary it can be stated that Zizek attempts to develop a realistic evaluation of the September 11 attacks is essential because his arguments are well grounded, sometimes people devise their forms of ‘’passion for the real’’ forgetting that they exist in the real world. References International Studies Association. "The Meaning of 9/11 and the Invasion of Iraq and the Emerging Post international World. International Studies Association, 2004. Jean Baudrillard. The Gulf War Did Not Take Place, Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995. Slavoj Zizek, ‘Passions of the Real, Passions of Semblance’ in Welcome to the Desert of the Real!: five essays on 11 September and related dates. London and New York: Verso, 2002. Noam Chomsky. Nine-eleven. Seven Stories Press, 2001. Smart, B. (2002). Michel Foucault, Routledge. Simons, J , 1995, Foucault & the political Thinking the political, Routledge, . Read More