Ten dimensions of dispute over moral panic theory in an age of COVID-19

David, Matthew

Abstract

Emerging from symbolic interactionism, moral panic theory was taken up by Marxists focused on elite regulation. Others saw moral panics following regulative failure. Ten dimensions of dispute over moral panic exist, offering a useful framework to examine reactions to COVID-19: (1) Can ‘moral panics’ be ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’?, (2) when is criticism of state elites sustainable, and does sustained criticisms of elites challenge established moral panic theory?, (3) is reaction to COVID-19 a ‘good moral panic’?, (4) can the term ‘moral panic’ apply to biological facts?, (5) can moral panics exist without morality?, (6) is it possible to discuss ‘disproportionateness’ when risk consciousness varies?, (7) does new media and more sophisticated media effects research undermine moral panic theory?, (8) does a moral panic require ‘success’?, (9) does moral panic (amplification) assume intent?, and (10) can microbes be folk devils? In today’s age of global interconnectedness, conceptions of regulation, elites, the good, anxiety, morality, proportionality/risk, media effects, success, intention, and protagonist (folk devil) need reimagining. We must rethink moral panic. Nevertheless, in thinking about the hybrid reality of populations, states, flows of goods, people and ideas, media, and social and biological systems made manifest by COVID-19, moral panic theory usefully contributes to this reconceptualisation.

Citation

David, M. (2024). Ten dimensions of dispute over moral panic theory in an age of COVID-19. In Folk Devils and Moral Panics in the COVID-19 Pandemic (8-19). London: Routledge

• Acceptance Date: Feb 21, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 5, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 5, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 7, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Pages: 8-19
• Book Title: Folk Devils and Moral Panics in the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Chapter Number: 1
• ISBN: 1032591498
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2433550
• Publisher URL: https://www.routledge.com/Folk-Devils-and-Moral-Panics-in-the-COVID-19-Pandemic/Rinaldi-Scarcelli-Tartari/p/book/9781032591490