When, on the 20th of April 2010, the oil platform Deep Water Horizon was struck by a massive explosion of gas, nobody would have expected that the consequences following the event would shake national politics, damage an entire ecosystem, sicken local people and lead to a chain of further negative consequences, an opening of a Pandora’s box.
In this paper I would like to investigate in the construction of scientific facts about the impacts of the spill and the distribution and allocation of responsibility. The use of massive amounts of toxic dispersants, which led the oil to disappear from the surface of the sea, in consequence also led to the slow but constant sickening of Gulf Coast residents and clean-up workers. The debate succeeding the incident is one of power, responsibility and construction of truth about the aftermath of the incident. Gulf Coast locals feel abandoned by the officials and the government. From their point of view, they don’t seem willing to acknowledge their suffering from chemical poisoning with dispersed oil and the chemical ‘Corexit’, which was used in massive amounts (ca. 6,8 million litres) by ‘British Petroleum‘ (BP) to dissolve the oil in the water column. A central question of the incident and its aftermath is therefore one of responsibility in a neoliberal society with neoliberal power structures.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical premises
- 'Ecogovernmentality' and the enactment of expertise
- Neoliberal governmentality and responsibility
- The construction of scientific facts and the ambiguity of truth
- Case Study
- The invisible oil
- Sickness without a cause
- The contestation of seafood safety
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper investigates the construction of scientific facts surrounding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the resulting distribution of responsibility. It focuses on the impact of the spill on Gulf Coast residents and clean-up workers, particularly the use of dispersants and their potential health effects.
- The role of 'ecogovernmentality' and 'neoliberal governmentality' in shaping responses to environmental crises.
- The construction and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the context of the oil spill.
- The power dynamics and shifting responsibilities in a neoliberal society.
- The relationship between scientific expertise, political interests, and public health concerns.
- The impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the health and well-being of local communities.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The chapter introduces the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its far-reaching consequences, highlighting the central theme of responsibility in a neoliberal context. It also outlines the paper's objectives and the theoretical frameworks that will be employed.
- Theoretical Premises: This chapter delves into the concepts of 'ecogovernmentality' and 'neoliberal governmentality,' exploring how these frameworks shape environmental management and responsibility. It also discusses the role of expertise in constructing scientific facts and the implications for public health and societal governance.
- Case Study: This section examines the specific case of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, focusing on the themes of the 'invisible oil,' the health consequences of dispersants, and the contestation of seafood safety. It explores the interplay between scientific knowledge, political interests, and public perception in the context of the disaster.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core themes and concepts of this paper revolve around the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 'ecogovernmentality', 'neoliberal governmentality', scientific fact construction, public health, responsibility, seafood safety, and the impact of dispersants on human health. The study examines how these elements intersect to shape the narrative of the spill and the response to its aftermath.
- Quote paper
- Simon Meier (Author), 2011, Politics of invisibility, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/174549
