Making the left behind as a subject of crisis

Abstract

Working through the narrative construction of the left behind, the article explores how groups become visible as subjects of crisis, with reference to material conditions, attitudinal disposition and moral outlook. It suggests that crisis provides a panoramic vision that is crucial for understanding how authors delineate left behind subjectivity, suggest relational dispositions and put audiences and spectators into the frame. Considering book-length titles and policy proposals, the article examines contributions to a body of work that speaks on behalf of populations and makes them subject of social-diagnostic, moral and political evaluation. It argues that this type of image-making renders left behind constituencies visible as subjects of resentment but without history, self-authorship and depth. With this focus, the article adds a critical perspective to the study of crises at a point when their permanence and multiplication challenge existing frameworks.