A Southern Criminology of Violence, Youth and Policing: Governing Insecurity in Urban Brazil

A Southern Criminology of Violence, Youth, and Policing explores public perceptions of insecurity and the social consequences of security initiatives in Brazil, challenging dominant practices and notions of security and control. It combines original ethnographic data with critical analysis to broaden understanding of violence and control in urban and postcolonial contexts. The findings highlight the exacerbation of social problems by the expansion of the penal and crime industry, the failure to address sexism, racism, classism, and brutalization in the police, and the failure to prevent diverse forms of violence and challenge organized crime.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A comprehensive exploration of violence, youth, and policing in the Southern region of Brazil is presented in the book "A Southern Criminology of Violence, Youth, and Policing." It delves into the public's perceptions of insecurity and the societal consequences of security initiatives designed to combat violence in the country. By engaging with the challenges faced by individuals residing in Brazilian "favelas" and critically analyzing the discourse of state actors, this book makes significant contributions to the emerging field of southern criminology.

Through a fusion of original ethnographic data and rigorous critical analysis, the book expands our understanding of violence and control in urban and postcolonial contexts. It challenges prevailing practices and notions of security and control, aiming to decolonize knowledge and shed light on pressing issues related to policing, coercion, and the profound socioeconomic, historical, and spatial inequalities that shape the lives of millions in the Global South.

The findings of this book unveil the exacerbation of social problems resulting from the expansion of the penal and crime industries. It challenges the applicability and universalism of mainstream managerial criminology, highlighting the need for alternative approaches that prioritize social justice and human rights.

The evidence presented in the book reveals that new modes of securitization have not effectively addressed longstanding issues of sexism, racism, classism, and brutalization within the police force. Moreover, the increasing reliance on methods of control and incarceration has failed to prevent diverse forms of violence and hinder the growth of organized crime. Instead, security programs have exacerbated the inequalities that disproportionately impact marginalized populations.

Written in a clear and accessible style, this book is designed to appeal to students and scholars in criminology, sociology, cultural studies, social theory, and those interested in gaining insights into the social injustices prevalent in the Global South. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complex dynamics of violence, youth, and policing in this region and contribute to efforts towards promoting social change and justice.

Weight: 327g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032264585