Dubnick, Melvin J., Dorothy F. Olshfski, and Kathe Callahan, “Aggressive Action: In Search of a Dominant Narrative,” In The Impact of 9/11 on the Media, Arts, and Entertainment, ed. Matthew J. Morgan. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. 9-24 (chapter 1).
AI-Generated Summary:
This document explores the role and impact of war narratives in shaping American culture, public perception, and government decision-making, especially in the context of post-9/11 and the “war on terror.”
The Uniqueness of the Post-9/11 War Declaration
- The war on terror was declared without a clear, established narrative, unlike previous wars.
- Historically, wars had extended build-ups and well-defined stories, but post-9/11 lacked this coherence.
Role of War Narratives in American Culture
- War narratives shape national memory and cultural identity, influencing how enemies and threats are perceived.
- These stories help define the collective understanding of past conflicts and inform current policies.
Theoretical Perspectives on Narratives in Social and Administrative Life
- Narratives serve as causal, product, or internalized sensemaking tools in social and bureaucratic contexts.
- In public administration, narratives help individuals interpret complex environments and guide decision-making processes.
Framework of State of War Narratives
- Four main narratives are identified based on operational demands and cultural commitments: garrison state, temporary state, glass-firewall, and enemy within.
- Each narrative reflects different societal transformations and perceptions of threat, from permanent war states to minimal civil liberties restrictions.
Exit Strategy Narratives and War Duration
- Exit narratives evolve based on war progress, portraying victory, long-term commitment, quick withdrawal, or gradual withdrawal.
- These stories influence public expectations and political decisions about ending conflicts, exemplified by Iraq war debates.
Impact of Narratives on Policy and Public Support
- Historically, strong narratives fostered support for wars; the absence of a clear story post-9/11 created confusion.
- Competing narratives about victory or defeat shape political discourse and public perception of success or failure.
Conclusion: Narratives as Sensemaking Tools
- Human thought and action are shaped by ongoing, revisable stories that help interpret complex realities.
- In the post-9/11 context, public administrators rely on multiple drafts of narratives to make sense of the war on terror.
Narrative and Cultural Analysis
- Explores storytelling’s role in shaping personal and collective identities.
- Highlights discourse analysis and cultural theory as tools for understanding narratives.
War and Cultural Memory
- Examines postwar Japanese narratives and American perceptions of war.
- Discusses myths, symbols, and representations in Cold War culture.
Political Narratives and Policy
- Focuses on how stories influence public policy and political legitimacy.
- Analyzes causal stories and regulation debates in different contexts.
Organizational and Social Narratives
- Investigates storytelling within organizations and social interactions.
- Emphasizes narratives’ role in constructing social order and responsibility.
Civil Liberties and War
- Addresses tensions between national security and civil liberties post-9/11.
- Discusses legal and administrative responses to wartime narratives.