What makes a photograph of a dead body obscene? Auchter offers a genealogy of obscenity that argues this process is highly political. She explores how and why some images are framed as ethically necessary to view, while others are displayed as spectacles, and others deemed too graphic for viewing.
Focusing on the interplay between statecraft and memorialization, this book examines how violence and its aftermath are often overlooked in the study of International Relations. It delves into the significance of dead bodies and memorial practices, highlighting their impact on political decisions and societal memory. By bridging the gap between conflict and the cultural responses to it, the work offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of international politics and the importance of remembering the past.