John O'Brien, "States of Intoxication: The Place of Alcohol in Civilisation" (Routledge, 2018)John O'Brien, "States of Intoxication: The Place of Alcohol in Civilisation" (Routledge, 2018)
New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
Is alcohol a universal feature of human society? Why is problematic in some countries and not others? How was alcohol helped build the modern state?
47:58•20 Jun 2019
The Dual Role of Alcohol: Building Society and State Revenue
“And the book really comes out of my PhD research. And really, the title is trying to show that, in fact, it's very much been based on the promotion of intoxication, the promotion of excess and consumption, and this is really because of the revenue that states derive from these substances.”
Ever thought about how alcohol shapes societies? Sociologist John O'Brien dives into this fascinating topic in 'States of Intoxication: The Place of Alcohol in Civilisation'. This episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery' unpacks the dual role of alcohol in human history. From building tax bases to influencing creativity, O'Brien's insights offer a fresh perspective on alcohol's societal impact. He also explores the contradictions in state policies that both regulate and promote alcohol consumption.
Tune in to discover how bars and nightclubs contribute to city revitalization and why rethinking social rituals might be key to addressing addiction.
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