The term refers to a communicative work carried out to strip away an individual’s identity, replacing it with a new, often lower, social status. This process involves public denunciation, often in a formal setting, where the individual is presented as fundamentally different and unworthy of their previous position. A classic example involves a court-martial where a military officer is stripped of their rank and honorifics following a transgression.
The significance of this concept lies in its ability to maintain social order and reinforce societal norms. By publicly labeling and shaming deviants, the process serves as a deterrent to others. Historically, this has been observed in various forms across different cultures, from public floggings in colonial times to modern-day expulsions from professional organizations. The impact on the individual targeted can be profound, leading to social isolation and a complete transformation of self-perception.
