Space of exception
From Geography
Space of exception is a term thought by Carl Schmitt and was elaborated by Italian Philosopher Giorgio Agamben. The meaning of the term space of exception is the increase of power structures governments employ in supposed times of crisis. Within these times of crisis, Agamben refers to increased extension of power as states of exception, where questions of citizenship and individual rights can be diminished, superseded and rejected in the process of claiming this extension of power by a government.
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Example
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
- Agamben (2003), Stato di Eccezione. Homo sacer, 2,1. Trans. Kevin Attell as State of Exception (2005).
- 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 --JesperRemmen 14:07, 20 October 2012 (CEST)
