Civilising the police: reconceptualising the role of the state in theories of American policing |
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Authors: | Christopher D O’Connor Phillip C Shon |
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Institution: | Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
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Abstract: | The three eras in American policing – political, reform, and community – has become the default theoretical framework within the study of criminal justice, explicitly and implicitly shaping the discourse of police studies. Despite historically informed criticisms of this three-era model, no alternative theory has been proffered as a way of critically thinking about the police. This paper draws on Norbert Elias’ civilising thesis and the role of the state as an alternative theoretical framework to explain the evolution of American policing. We argue that changes in policing are more cogently explained by assuming a long-term view of change and that the intrusion and the retreat of the state from society better captures the evolution of the police through time. |
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Keywords: | Civilising thesis police history police change risk risk society |
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