In the last two decades especially, we have witnessed the rise of 'celebrity' forms of global humanitarianism and charity work, spearheaded by entertainment stars, billionaires, and activist NGOs (e.g. Bob Geldof, Bono, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Bill Gates, George Soros, Save Darfur, Medecins Sans Frontieres). This book examines this new phenomenon, arguing that celebrity humanitarianism legitimates, and indeed promotes, neoliberal capitalism and global inequality.

Drawing on Slavoj Zizek's work, the book argues how celebrity humanitarianism, far from being altruistic, is significantly contaminated and ideological: it is most often self-serving, helping to promote institutional aggrandizement and the celebrity 'brand'; it advances consumerism and corporate capitalism, and rationalizes the very global inequality it seeks to redress; it is fundamentally depoliticizing, despite its pretensions to 'activism'; and it contributes to a 'postdemocratic' political landscape, which appears outwardly open and consensual, but is in fact managed by unaccountable elites.

About the Author

Ilan Kapoor is a Professor at the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto. He is the author of The Postcolonial Politics of Development (Routledge, 2008). His research interests include critical development studies, postcolonial theory/politics, psychoanalysis and Marxism, participation/democratic theory, and social and environmental movements.

Reviews

"Kapoor cuts through the tsunami of celebrity banality like a hyper-critical porpoise with purpose - a sleek, brilliant riposte to gormless media values." - Paul A. Taylor, University of Leeds

"Ilan Kapoor's stunning new book exposes the most appealing--and thus most dangerous--sacred cows of contemporary ideology: the humanitarian actor, the billionaire philanthropist, and the NGO. Kapoor shows that it is precisely where we feel most emotionally satisfied that we must be most suspicious. Celebrity Humanitarianism represents a landmark in the critique of ideology and a decisive blow in the struggle against apolitical ethics." - Todd McGowan, University of Vermont

"Celebrity Humanitarianism critiques an intriguing phenomenon: spectacularized humanitarianism. Publics are increasingly mobilized as visual witnesses to images of stars doing relief work or posing with newly transnationally adopted children; "benevolent"corporate billionaires on redemptive missions in Africa; or iconic manoeuvres of semiotically savvy NGOs. Against the popular adulation of these figures or their liberal recuperation, Kapoor's brilliant Zizekian analysis complicates this picture with a disarming thesis: celebrity humanitarianism legitimates and indeed promotes liberal capitalism and perpetuates global inequity. This is an enjoyable yet critical, serious and non-celebratory approach to celebrity and corporate philanthropy, as well as the disavowal characteristic of our post-political age." - Diane Rubenstein, Cornell University, USA

""This short book is engaging, witty and it carries an important message. Highly recommended to all, especially to those who like Bono." - Ray Kiely, Professor of International Politics, Queen Mary University of London

"The book offers a rich theoretical argument against the empty posturing that follows global disasters." - Joseph Brean, National Post

"Kapoor avoids the trite and banal and refuses to return to the all too easy suggestion that something is better than nothing. Instead, Kapoor's text skilfully addresses the role of celebrity charities by systematically deconstructing the manner in which they justify and support the very inequities that they purport to challenge ... t he issue [of global celebrity charity] is under-discussed and rarely critiqued, making Kapoor's cutting and insightful analysis long overdue." -Sonja Killoran-McKibbin, Undercurrents; Journal of Critical Environmental Studies

"The strength of the book is the way in which it brings together the three examples of 'celebrity humanitarianism ' in order to conduct a Zi zekian ideology critique. The Ziz ekian analysis is pursued consistently throughout thebook and as such the book reads as an accessible introduction to the work of Zi zek and how it can be used toconduct a critical analysis of development." - Louise Mubanda Rasmussen, Journal of Development Studies

"There have been several scholarly attempts in recent yearsto grasp the phenomenon of celebrity humanitarianism, but few have been as thorough as Kapoor's contributionin this book." - Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Journal of Peace Research

"... a refreshing counterpoint to the glib celebrity worship that too often goes unchallenged ...Kapoor is at his strongest when he points out that it is too easy to simply blame the fame-hungry celeb - we are all complicit in this particular charade." - Jenny Holland, The Risky Shift

"Kapoor provides a scathing critical analysis that will serve as a benchmark for future study of relations between celebrities, the private sphere, and politics ... Kapoor's work should be of appeal to scholars seeking to gain a better understanding of the culture industry, political economics, development, and international politics. Kapoor has laid the groundwork for additional Zizekian critiques ... of celebrity humanitarianism." - Sandra Via, New Political Science

"The book critically analyses the humanitarian work of three contemporary types of celebrity humanitarianism namely entertainment stars, philanthropic billionaires and NGOs that for their spectacular reputation and highly mediated character have become celebrities in their own right. The book is certainly relevant to those investigating celebrities and humanitarianism." - Carlo Piccinini, E-IR, May 2013

Book Information
ISBN 9780415783392
Author Ilan Kapoor
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 244g