Moderne Magie

What is modern magic? How has this concept evolved in popular culture, and what does that say about how our society functions? These are the questions addressed by historian and sociologist Birgit Panke-Kochinke in her study. Using various sources, she shows that modern magic, as a technology of the self, strengthens an individual's belief in their own power precisely when they no longer really have it. In this way, magic contributes to the progressive disempowerment of people who are already disempowered. However, this is individually perceived as self-empowerment: as the magician of one’s own life, one can only win. And who wouldn’t want that?