Blame Business

Blame infuses society in myriad ways. At its worst it sours and destabilizes relationships, dividing lovers, co-workers, communities and nations. In the hands of skilled propagandists blame is a potent tool for persecution; in the hands of the media it is a vehicle for creating social unease. Yet blame also safeguards moral order and legal culpability. Blame is thus both destructive and necessary. The Blame Business takes us on a fascinating journey through the landscape of blame, from ancient witch-hunts to today’s scapegoating and stigmatization, and from righteous anger to blame cultures. Stephen Fineman delves behind the scenes of public and private organizations infected with blame and profiles the people who try to hold them to account, examing the vexed issue of public accountability as politicians and corporate leaders play their ‘blame games’. What are the limits of remorse and forgiveness? Is restorative justice the answer? This absorbing book deepens our understanding of blame and how it shapes all of our lives.