Telling stories of failure

Oppermann, Kai; Spencer, Alexander (2016): Telling stories of failure. Narrative constructions of foreign policy fiascos. In: Journal of European Public Policy, Vol. 23, No. 5: pp. 685-701

Abstract

The contribution introduces narrative analysis as a discourse analytical method for investigating the social construction of foreign policy fiascos. Based on insights from literary studies and narratology it shows that stories of failure include a number of key elements, including a particular setting which defines appropriate behaviour;the negative characterization of agents;as well as an emplotment of the 'fiasco' through the attribution of cause and responsibility. The contribution illustrates this method through a narrative analysis of German media reporting on Germany's abstention in the United Nations Security Council vote on Resolution 1973 in March 2011 regarding the military intervention in Libya.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: Failure; foreign policy; Germany; Libya; narratives
• Faculties: Social Sciences > Geschwister-Scholl-Institute for Political Science
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 320 Political science
• ISSN: 1350-1763
• Language: English