The Biopolitics of Fear: Unpacking the US Response to the West African Ebola Epidemic

In her timely book, “More Than a Health Crisis”, author Jessica Kirk delves into the dynamics that transformed the 2014-2015 West African Ebola epidemic from a distant tragedy into an existential threat to American lives, foretelling the US response to subsequent epidemics like COVID-19 and monkeypox.

A Divide in Perception: Security Concerns and Public Anxiety

The Ebola outbreak sparked intense media coverage and public debate in the US, raising questions about the nature of the security issue posed by the outbreak. Was it a concern for the lives at risk in West Africa, or a threat to regional and global stability, or did it pose a direct threat to the American people? Kirk’s insightful analysis reveals how these differing perspectives reflected deeper divisions within the American public regarding uncertainty, competing expertise, and securitization.

Expert Opinions and Media Coverage: A Case Study in Biopolitics

Kirk expertly examines how experts from various fields offered conflicting risk assessments, and how the US press undermined the authority of public health experts who accurately predicted the low danger posed by Ebola to Americans. Through a critical analysis of media coverage, Kirk exposes the biopolitics of fear that drove the US response, fueled by anxieties over globalization and long-held narratives about the “Dark Continent”.

Reevaluating Securitization and the Global Response to Epidemics

The book reveals how the US and global public response to the Ebola outbreak challenged traditional models of securitization, and identifies patterns that have tragically recurred in subsequent epidemics. By unpacking the complex dynamics at play, “More Than a Health Crisis” offers a crucial understanding of the interconnectedness of global health, security, and fear.

Product Details
Publisher: MIT Press
Publication Date: October 24, 2023
Language: English
ISBN: 9780262545693, 9780262374866