LE3 .A278 2020

2020

Whitehall, Geoffrey

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Political Science

Politics

After 9/11, the governments of Western democracies started to operate under a constant state of exception and have continued to do so into the present. This thesis explores this new paradigm. I closely examine how Giorgio Agamben’s theories of the state of exception and homo sacer that outlines a system that permits government to enact policies that are outside the constitution as a means of national security. This empowers the state to treat citizens and foreigners in ways that would otherwise be unlawful, leaving anyone vulnerable to the whims of the leaders who hold power. To describe the effect exceptional governance can have on a person, this thesis investigates the case of Omar Khadr and his relationship with the United States and Canada. I argue that Omar’s capture, detention, and treatment is a cautionary example of the lengths the state can go to when they consider someone a threat to national security. I conclude this thesis by examining the evolution of exceptional politics from the governments that succeeded the Bush and Harper administrations and determine that western democracies are living in a constant state of exception, leaving anyone vulnerable to become homo sacer.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3533