The Society of the Spectacle Revisited: Separation, Schooling, and the Pursuit of Dangerous Citizenship

Abstract

In this paper we set out to accomplish several goals. Primarily, we seek to re-interpret Guy Debord’s (1967) work The Society of the Spectacle in light of modern-day schooling, principally within North America (although we recognize the global connectivity inherent in any current discussion of formal education). In addition, we aim to utilize Debord’s conceptualizations as a series of means and mechanisms by and through which to examine (1) various threats posed against the ideals of publicly supported schools and (2) modes of resistance, particularly what we term “dangerous citizenship,” via which committed advocates might challenge the possible consequences of such threats, consequences including disciplinarity/ deterrence, anti-democracy, oppression, anti-collectivity, and inauthenticity.

Keywords

• the society of the spectacle
• separation
• schooling
• dangerous citizenship
• north america