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For The Greater Good: Crime Narratives of Purity and Danger by Politicians in Iceland

Ingimarsdottir, Gyda Björk LU (2024) CCRM20 20241
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis investigates the narratives Icelandic politicians use to discuss crime, particularly
focusing on themes of cultural purity and danger. The study aims to understand how these
narratives influence public perception and policy. Politicians often frame crime as a
significant threat to societal norms and values, using various rhetorical strategies to evoke
emotions such as fear and urgency. These narratives frequently link crime to foreign actors,
suggesting that certain groups pose a greater threat to social order, thereby reinforcing
stereotypes and justifying stricter policies. The thesis explores how these portrayals create
boundaries between in-groups and out-groups, reflecting broader cultural and societal
concerns.
... (More)
This thesis investigates the narratives Icelandic politicians use to discuss crime, particularly
focusing on themes of cultural purity and danger. The study aims to understand how these
narratives influence public perception and policy. Politicians often frame crime as a
significant threat to societal norms and values, using various rhetorical strategies to evoke
emotions such as fear and urgency. These narratives frequently link crime to foreign actors,
suggesting that certain groups pose a greater threat to social order, thereby reinforcing
stereotypes and justifying stricter policies. The thesis explores how these portrayals create
boundaries between in-groups and out-groups, reflecting broader cultural and societal
concerns.
The study reveals how crime is depicted as a form of pollution threatening societal
purity by analysing public statements, policy declarations, and media appearances of
Icelandic politicians from the three largest political parties. The research uses narrative
theory, Mary Douglas's theories and the concepts of folk devils from Stanley Cohen to frame
its analysis. It finds that political rhetoric around crime serves multiple purposes, for
example, reinforcing social cohesion and delineating societal boundaries. While aiming to
maintain order, these narratives amplify fears and influence significant changes in laws and
public attitudes, highlighting the need for critical assessment of political rhetoric's impact on
social justice and policy-making. (Less)
Popular Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore how Icelandic politicians portray crime through their
narratives. I wanted to understand how politicians in Iceland talk about crime, what stories
they tell, and how these stories influence public perception and policy. Given the growing
concern about crime and its impact on society, there was a need to investigate this issue.
Previous research has shown that political narratives can significantly shape public opinion
and policy decisions, but how this applies to crime in Iceland remained underexplored.
This study found that Icelandic politicians frame crime as a significant threat to
societal norms and values. They employ various rhetorical strategies to evoke emotions such
as fear and urgency,... (More)
The aim of this study was to explore how Icelandic politicians portray crime through their
narratives. I wanted to understand how politicians in Iceland talk about crime, what stories
they tell, and how these stories influence public perception and policy. Given the growing
concern about crime and its impact on society, there was a need to investigate this issue.
Previous research has shown that political narratives can significantly shape public opinion
and policy decisions, but how this applies to crime in Iceland remained underexplored.
This study found that Icelandic politicians frame crime as a significant threat to
societal norms and values. They employ various rhetorical strategies to evoke emotions such
as fear and urgency, which can justify stringent law enforcement measures and policy
changes. For example, politicians may link crime to immigration, suggesting that certain
groups pose a greater threat to social order, thus reinforcing stereotypes and justifying
harsher immigration policies.
The conclusion drawn from this research indicates that Icelandic politicians' portrayal
of crime serves multiple purposes. It aims to address public concerns about safety and
reinforce social cohesion by delineating in-groups and out-groups (often linked to
marginalised communities). This approach can create a moral panic, amplifying the perceived
threat of crime and leading to significant changes in laws and public attitudes.
By examining the narratives used by Icelandic politicians, this study contributes to a
broader understanding of how political discourse shapes societal responses to crime. It
highlights the importance of critically assessing political rhetoric and its implications for
social justice and policy-making. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ingimarsdottir, Gyda Björk LU
supervisor
organization
course
CCRM20 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Cultural Criminology, Icelandic politics, Crime, Narrative, Purity and Danger, Folk Devils
language
English
id
9170687
date added to LUP
2024-08-07 15:56:12
date last changed
2024-08-07 15:56:12
@misc{9170687,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the narratives Icelandic politicians use to discuss crime, particularly
focusing on themes of cultural purity and danger. The study aims to understand how these
narratives influence public perception and policy. Politicians often frame crime as a
significant threat to societal norms and values, using various rhetorical strategies to evoke
emotions such as fear and urgency. These narratives frequently link crime to foreign actors,
suggesting that certain groups pose a greater threat to social order, thereby reinforcing
stereotypes and justifying stricter policies. The thesis explores how these portrayals create
boundaries between in-groups and out-groups, reflecting broader cultural and societal
concerns.
The study reveals how crime is depicted as a form of pollution threatening societal
purity by analysing public statements, policy declarations, and media appearances of
Icelandic politicians from the three largest political parties. The research uses narrative
theory, Mary Douglas's theories and the concepts of folk devils from Stanley Cohen to frame
its analysis. It finds that political rhetoric around crime serves multiple purposes, for
example, reinforcing social cohesion and delineating societal boundaries. While aiming to
maintain order, these narratives amplify fears and influence significant changes in laws and
public attitudes, highlighting the need for critical assessment of political rhetoric's impact on
social justice and policy-making.}},
  author       = {{Ingimarsdottir, Gyda Björk}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{For The Greater Good: Crime Narratives of Purity and Danger by Politicians in Iceland}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}