THE ANATOMY OF SOCIAL MURDER: LESSONS FROM GREECE
THE ANATOMY OF SOCIAL MURDER: LESSONS FROM GREECE
Author(s): Filippos KOURAKISSubject(s): Social Theory, Sociobiology
Published by: Ediktura Beladi
Keywords: Social Murder; Working Class Demise; Greece; Biopolitics; Antonis Karyotis;
Summary/Abstract: This essay examines the tragic death of Antonis Karyotis at Piraeus Port in Greece on September 5, 2023, delving into its significance as a reflection of broader social and political issues. It posits that Karyotis’s untimely demise, epitomizes Friedrich Engels’ concept of ‘social murder’. Additionally, the essay employs Michel Foucault’s biopolitical framework to scrutinize how power operates through the management and regulation of populations, further elucidating the complexities surrounding Karyotis’s death. By contextualizing this incident within the broader societal landscape of Greece, the essay highlights the escalating racist violence and mistreatment of migrants that have intensified post-2008 economic crisis. This crisis not only exacerbated economic hardships but also fueled social tensions, leading to heightened hostility towards marginalized groups. Furthermore, the essay draws attention to the deteriorating conditions of the working class within the labor market, exacerbated by stringent economic policies implemented in response to the crisis. In conclusion, the essay underscores how Antonis Karyotis’s death serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic economic and social inequalities plaguing Greek society, with the state implicated in perpetuating and exacerbating these disparities. It calls for a critical examination of power dynamics and a collective endeavor towards social justice and structural reform to address these entrenched issues.
Journal: Revista Universitară de Sociologie
- Issue Year: X/2024
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 126-127
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English