how does chernobyl link Cohen’s 6 steps of moral panic response from authority and scapegoating

Answer 1

The Chernobyl disaster is an example of how Cohen's six steps of moral panic response were demonstrated through authority and scapegoating.

The first step is "the identification of a deviant or outsider group." In this case, the deviant group was perceived to be the Soviet authorities, who were responsible for the failed reactor at the Chernobyl power plant.

The second step is the "amplification of the deviance." The Soviet government's initial attempts to downplay the severity of the disaster, combined with the international media's coverage of the event, caused public hysteria to escalate rapidly.

The third step is "the designation of a folk devil." In this case, the folk devil was the Soviet government and its perceived cover-up of the disaster.

The fourth step is "the creation of a moral panic." The Chernobyl disaster created a moral panic throughout the world, with people feeling outraged and fearful of the potential long-term effects of the radiation.

The fifth step is "the response from authorities." In response to the moral panic, the Soviet government attempted to scapegoat the plant workers responsible for the accident. Their actions were seen as an attempt to shift the blame away from themselves.

Finally, the sixth step is "the societal reaction." The scapegoating of the plant workers was particularly effective because it allowed the public to direct their anger and frustration towards a specific group. This reaction helped to relieve some of the fear and anxiety that had been generated by the Chernobyl disaster.

In conclusion, the Chernobyl disaster is a clear example of how Cohen's six steps of moral panic response can be seen through scapegoating and the actions of authority.