Civilizing Security

Two leading scholars in the field assess the role of the state in civilizing security.

Ian Loader (Author), Neil Walker (Author)

9780521691598, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 April 2007

314 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.42 kg

'With such impressive authors, it is not surprising that this heavyweight academic text provides a challenging and innovative approach to its subject.' Prison Service Journal

Security has become a defining feature of contemporary public discourse, permeating the so-called 'war on terror', problems of everyday crime and disorder, the reconstruction of 'weak' or 'failed' states and the dramatic renaissance of the private security industry. But what does it mean for individuals to be secure, and what is the relationship between security and the practices of the modern state? In this timely and important book, Ian Loader and Neil Walker outline and defend the view that security remains a valuable public good. They argue that the state is indispensable to the task of fostering and sustaining liveable political communities in the contemporary world and thus pivotal to the project of civilizing security. This is a major contribution by two leading scholars in the field and will be of interest to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of one the most significant and pressing issues of our times.

Prologue. On writing about security today
1. Uncivil security?
Part I. On State Scepticism: 2. The state as meddler
3. The state as partisan
4. The state as cultural monolith
5. The state as idiot
Part II. Securing States of Security: 6. The good of security
7. The necessary virtue of the state
8. The democratic governance of security
9. Security as a global public good.

Subject Areas: Criminology: legal aspects [LAR], Law & society [LAQ], Political science & theory [JPA], Criminal investigation & detection [JKVF], Causes & prevention of crime [JKVC], Crime & criminology [JKV]