Pacifying bodies : histories of preemptive violence -- Enslaving bodies : verbatim in replicated form -- Starving bodies : visual economies of enumeration -- Killing bodies : narrativity transcribed -- Investigating bodies : the recursive logic of citations.
The book delves into the complexities of bureaucratic processes in Vietnam since the 1920s, highlighting how these dynamics hindered the government's ability to effectively understand and govern rural life. Ken MacLean illustrates a paradox where efforts to gather accurate information led to increased state illegibility, as local officials and peasants developed their own strategies to navigate the system. The interplay of overstated local needs and excessive bureaucratic procedures created an environment of mistrust, ultimately influencing the evolution of socialism in Vietnam.