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Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats
The making of the modern scapegoat.
Who gets blamed when societies feel under threat and why? In Persecuted, journalism scholar Jack Lule examines the deep roots of scapegoating as essential to human society. Scapegoating helps explain how and why people unite, shaping the ways groups define belonging, exclusion, and collective identity.
Drawing on the work of Kenneth Burke and René Girard, Lule argues that scapegoating is not a social malfunction but a core mechanism through which communities are formed. Nations rely on scapegoating to draw boundaries between "us" and "them." What makes the modern era especially volatile, he contends, is the role of media―from early messengers and newspapers to contemporary social platforms―in manufacturing crises, amplifying accusations, identifying targets, and accelerating cycles of blame. Moving fluidly across history, theory, and contemporary politics, the book shows how media systems have increased the reach, speed, and intensity of scapegoating, often transforming local resentments into global networks of hate and hostility. Lule presents a sober analysis of how scapegoating persists precisely because it feels natural, justified, and invisible to those participating in it.
Persecuted is a concise, unsettling exploration of a process that underlies nationalism, moral panics, and political polarization. Its hope―tentative but urgent―is that recognizing the recurring power of scapegoating may help readers identify it in real time and resist its most destructive consequences.
Who gets blamed when societies feel under threat and why? In Persecuted, journalism scholar Jack Lule examines the deep roots of scapegoating as essential to human society. Scapegoating helps explain how and why people unite, shaping the ways groups define belonging, exclusion, and collective identity.
Drawing on the work of Kenneth Burke and René Girard, Lule argues that scapegoating is not a social malfunction but a core mechanism through which communities are formed. Nations rely on scapegoating to draw boundaries between "us" and "them." What makes the modern era especially volatile, he contends, is the role of media―from early messengers and newspapers to contemporary social platforms―in manufacturing crises, amplifying accusations, identifying targets, and accelerating cycles of blame. Moving fluidly across history, theory, and contemporary politics, the book shows how media systems have increased the reach, speed, and intensity of scapegoating, often transforming local resentments into global networks of hate and hostility. Lule presents a sober analysis of how scapegoating persists precisely because it feels natural, justified, and invisible to those participating in it.
Persecuted is a concise, unsettling exploration of a process that underlies nationalism, moral panics, and political polarization. Its hope―tentative but urgent―is that recognizing the recurring power of scapegoating may help readers identify it in real time and resist its most destructive consequences.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published October 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jack Lule's Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats addresses a subject that invites readers to think carefully about blame, social judgment, and the way people respond to problems.
The idea of scapegoating raises important questions about fairness and responsibility. When individuals or groups become convenient targets, the underlying causes of a problem can receive less attention than the accusations themselves. Examining this pattern can encourage readers to question assumptions and approach difficult social issues with greater care.
The book's subject offers opportunities for meaningful discussion among readers with different backgrounds and perspectives. It connects questions about communication and public opinion with broader concerns about justice, prejudice, and human relationships.
For anyone interested in understanding how societies assign blame, this is a worthwhile subject to explore and discuss.
The idea of scapegoating raises important questions about fairness and responsibility. When individuals or groups become convenient targets, the underlying causes of a problem can receive less attention than the accusations themselves. Examining this pattern can encourage readers to question assumptions and approach difficult social issues with greater care.
The book's subject offers opportunities for meaningful discussion among readers with different backgrounds and perspectives. It connects questions about communication and public opinion with broader concerns about justice, prejudice, and human relationships.
For anyone interested in understanding how societies assign blame, this is a worthwhile subject to explore and discuss.
Review of advance copy
Review of Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats by Jack Lule
Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats explores an important aspect of human society: the tendency to blame individuals or groups for problems that may have much deeper causes. Jack Lule addresses a subject that encourages readers to look beyond immediate accusations and consider the social forces that influence how blame is assigned.
The topic is particularly relevant in a world where misunderstandings, public pressure, and fear can shape people's judgments. Understanding scapegoating can help readers recognize the dangers of accepting simple explanations for complicated problems.
This book raises meaningful questions about responsibility, fairness, and the ways societies treat those they identify as targets. It is a valuable subject for readers interested in social behaviour and the forces that influence public attitudes.
Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats explores an important aspect of human society: the tendency to blame individuals or groups for problems that may have much deeper causes. Jack Lule addresses a subject that encourages readers to look beyond immediate accusations and consider the social forces that influence how blame is assigned.
The topic is particularly relevant in a world where misunderstandings, public pressure, and fear can shape people's judgments. Understanding scapegoating can help readers recognize the dangers of accepting simple explanations for complicated problems.
This book raises meaningful questions about responsibility, fairness, and the ways societies treat those they identify as targets. It is a valuable subject for readers interested in social behaviour and the forces that influence public attitudes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The relationship between media, public opinion, and scapegoating is an important subject in contemporary society. In Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats, Jack Lule examines a topic that invites readers to consider how stories about people and groups can influence the way others perceive them.
In an age of instant communication and widespread social media use, accusations can travel quickly, sometimes before the full circumstances are understood. Examining scapegoating provides an opportunity to think more carefully about the information we consume and the conclusions we draw.
The subject is relevant to anyone interested in journalism, communication, and responsible public discussion. It encourages critical thinking and reminds readers of the importance of examining evidence rather than simply following popular opinion.
In an age of instant communication and widespread social media use, accusations can travel quickly, sometimes before the full circumstances are understood. Examining scapegoating provides an opportunity to think more carefully about the information we consume and the conclusions we draw.
The subject is relevant to anyone interested in journalism, communication, and responsible public discussion. It encourages critical thinking and reminds readers of the importance of examining evidence rather than simply following popular opinion.
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October 14, 2026The subject of scapegoating remains relevant wherever societies experience disagreement, uncertainty, or social division. Jack Lule's Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats examines a topic that encourages readers to question why blame is directed toward particular people and what happens when those accusations go unchallenged.
One important aspect of this subject is its connection to how communities explain difficult events. Rather than accepting the most convenient explanation, readers are encouraged to consider the wider circumstances and the consequences of assigning blame without sufficient understanding.
This topic can contribute to discussions about prejudice, public responsibility, and the treatment of vulnerable groups. It is particularly relevant to readers who want to better understand social conflict and the influence of public narratives on collective attitudes.
One important aspect of this subject is its connection to how communities explain difficult events. Rather than accepting the most convenient explanation, readers are encouraged to consider the wider circumstances and the consequences of assigning blame without sufficient understanding.
This topic can contribute to discussions about prejudice, public responsibility, and the treatment of vulnerable groups. It is particularly relevant to readers who want to better understand social conflict and the influence of public narratives on collective attitudes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Why do people sometimes find it easier to blame others than to confront the real causes of a problem? This question lies at the heart of the subject Jack Lule explores in Persecuted: Why We Need Scapegoats.
Scapegoating provides a way to examine how fear, frustration, and group attitudes can influence human judgment. It also raises questions about why certain individuals or communities become targets when society faces uncertainty or conflict.
The subject encourages readers to reflect on their own assumptions and consider the difference between holding someone accountable for their actions and unfairly making them responsible for a much larger problem.
For readers interested in human behaviour and social relationships, this is a thought-provoking topic with relevance to communities, institutions, and everyday life.
Scapegoating provides a way to examine how fear, frustration, and group attitudes can influence human judgment. It also raises questions about why certain individuals or communities become targets when society faces uncertainty or conflict.
The subject encourages readers to reflect on their own assumptions and consider the difference between holding someone accountable for their actions and unfairly making them responsible for a much larger problem.
For readers interested in human behaviour and social relationships, this is a thought-provoking topic with relevance to communities, institutions, and everyday life.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews