The Agony of Power Essay

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Individuals and Families in a Diverse Society:
ISU - The Agony of Power

Nathan Struthers
Mr. Shepherd
Sociology
June 3rd 2013

St Theresa Catholic Secondary School
“Only evil can speak evil now - evil is a ventriloquist”
- Jean Baudrillard, The Agony of Power

The Agony of Power by Jean Baudrillard. This novel was published in 2007, a few years after the author’s death. It is comprised of many works and manuscripts he had compiled and planned on putting together in a novel, his colleague did this for him and released it for the public to see. Jean Baudrillard was a French sociologist, philosopher, cultural theorist and photographer. He was born in Reims, France July 27th 1929. Jean attended university and travelled where he picked up his camera and begun a knack for photography.

The Agony of Power is a novel, written about how the power the people put into the hands of the government is absurd. It speaks about the fact that there is no more “master” and “slave” system due to its abolishment in most of the developed world, rather it has been replaced by hegemony. Hegemony is leadership, or dominance by one country or nation over another. Baudrillard explains that Hegemony is so dangerous and bad for the lives of average families because of the fact that most people do in fact believe they are free, where in hegemony, the grip is all the tighter. Baudrillard speaks in his book that the relationship of “master” and “slave” was better for the family because it could be seen through all the lineage. Because of the governments control, people also controlled their children and taught them discipline. Due to this hegemony, everyone adheres to the control the governments have over people where the family control has been abolished. For example, many children nowadays are raised without severe punishment for severe actions, if the actions are severe enough, the governments punishes the family, and the child that did the act. Although not many actions done by teenagers and children these days are that severe to gain government notice, the things they should be punished for through their parents goes unnoticed and raises the child to believe that he/she can do anything he/she would like to do.

The novel also presents the idea that for families to live richer, fuller, happier lives, there must be change in the government system to allow the majority of people more power in government issues. A famous quote that Baudrillard draws upon is as such:

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”
- Spock, The Wrath of Khan

Although it is said by a fictional character in a sci-fi movie called Star Trek, Baudrillard said that it is one of the few ideologies presented through mass media that is true. He explains that in our government systems and the systems around the world, the few have the power. The few control everyone, that is the rich and the people with influences. The needs of the many are often left out of mind when discussing big and small issues. Baudrillard says that the government power does not need to inform the people due to the hegemonic control they have over average families. Because there is no “master” to “slave” relationship, things can be done that people do not vote on or are able to discuss because they do not know what is happening. The quote relates directly to the 99% rallies a little while back. The “99%” were arguing that the”1%” control all the power in the world and also its money and resources where it should be shared with everyone.

The novel, to me, was a great one. It was a difficult read, above my reading level, due to the use of many words I did not understand. I had often found myself “google-ing” word definitions throughout the book. That said, it was very well written to try and explain what is happening in our world and what directly affects families today with the control and oppressive nature of of government system, no matter
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