Volume 62, Issue 3 p. 523-541

Tightening the focus: moral panic, moral regulation and liberal government

Sean P. Hier

Corresponding Author

Sean P. Hier

Department of Sociology, University of Victoria

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First published: 07 September 2011
Citations: 43

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to tighten the focus of moral panic studies by clarifying and elaborating on an analytical framework that conceptualizes moral panic as a form of moral regulation. The first part of the article explains why moral panic should be conceptualized as a form of moral regulation. The second part presents a rejoinder to Critcher's (2009) critique of the widening focus of moral panic studies. The third part elaborates on the conceptual relationship between the sociologies of moral panic and moral regulation by offering fresh insights into the sociological and political importance of moral panic as a technique of liberal government.

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