About the talk:
This talk assesses the return, and even embrace in some political communities, of torture in the 21st century. It begins by confronting the striking polling results over the past few years which indicate torture's increased popularity in the United States. In particular, what accounts for the increased popularity of torture as time passes from the iconic terrorist attacks of 9/11?

Yet, the insecurity that underlines this increasing support is part of a broader set of transnational and global processes connected to technology, speed, and interdependence. Both the insecurity, and the move towards and embrace of torture can be understood via the same processes of images and imagination. Thus, the talk concludes with some suggestions about the ethical traditions and political strategies that may challenge popular perceptions of torture's efficacy and legitimacy?

About the speaker:
Brent J. Steele is the Francis D. Wormuth Presidential Chair and professor of political science at the University of Utah. He previously worked at the University of Kansas,  2005-13. He is the author of three books, Alternative Accountabilities in Global Politics: The Scars of Violence (Routledge, 2013); Defacing Power: The Aesthetics of Insecurity in Global Politics (University of Michigan Press, 2010) and Ontological Security in International Relations (Routledge, 2008). He is currently working on a project investigating restraint in global politics. He is also the co-editor of three books, and has published articles in a number of international studies journals, most recently in International Relations, International Politics, the Journal of International Political Theory, and Critical Studies on Security.