State Crime, the Media, and the Invasion of Panama (Praeger Series in Criminology and Crime Control Policy) [Hardcover]

Christina Jacqueline Johns (Author), P. Ward Johnson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275943143 | ISBN-13: 978-0275943141 | Publication Date: December 30, 1993

Johns and Johnson analyze the invasion of Panama in order to explore the ways in which the War on Drugs has been used as an ideological justification for a projection of U.S. state power into Latin America. They characterize the Bush Administration's reasons for the invasion as cynical ideological rhetoric which covered up strategic interests the United States had in deposing Noriega and replacing him with a more cooperative regime. The authors particularly discuss the role of media coverage, including the demonization of Noriega and the immediate adoption by the corporate media of the name "Operation Just Cause," in legitimating the invasion and transforming it in popular ideology as a law enforcement operation. Finally, they examine the aftermath of the invasion in the United States--Bush's popularity ratings, the distortion of civilian casualty information, the macho celebration of the war--and in Panama--the destruction of the labor and independence movements, the puppet Endara government, and the increased drug trafficking through Panama.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CHRISTINA JACQUELINE JOHNS is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology at Eastern Michigan University.

P. WARD JOHNSON has more than 25 years experience as a freelance researcher.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (December 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275943143
• ISBN-13: 978-0275943141
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,535,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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