Space of exception

From Geography

Revision as of 14:25, 20 October 2012

This term plays an important role in Derek_Gregory’s text about Guantanamo Bay. For him Guantanamo Bay is an example of a space of exception; a place where the normal law no longer holds. Guantanamo Bay is based in Cuba so it’s law-system doesn’t have to deal with the American constitution or American courts. The power-relations then are completely different, because of the lack of a system to guide this power. Prisoners don’t have any rights and the guards are free in there doing without any judgment. This specific and special created place for extraordinary power-relations forms one of the most famous spaces of exception.

Closing Guantanamo Bay

Closing Guantanamo Bay was one of President Obama's promises when he was elected almost four years ago. Till today his desire isn’t approved by the American congress. In his current campaign Obama is still fighting for closing the prison.

References

• Gregory, D., 2006 The black flag: Guantanamo Bay and the space of exception. Geogr. Ann., 88 B (4): 405-427
• Trouw Newspaper 19-10-2012 on closing Guantanamo Bay; http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4496/Buitenland/article/detail/3334103/2012/10/19/Obama-heeft-nog-steeds-intentie-Guantanamo-te-sluiten.dhtml

Contributors

• page created by Jesper Remmen ----