Citizens into Dishonored Felons: Felony Disenfranchisement, Honor, and Rehabilitation in Germany, 1806-1933

The German Empire used legal punishment to withhold basic rights, stigmatizing dishonored offenders and dictating citizenship rights, honor, and trust.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Throughout its existence, the German Empire steadily curtailed fundamental rights, including the right to enlist in the military, hold public office, and exercise the franchise, as a means of legal retribution. Offenders who faced dishonor were frequently subjected to stigmatization in both formal and informal contexts, as their convictions significantly influenced the manner in which they were treated in correctional facilities, their prospects in the job market, and their access to rehabilitative services. Citizens into Dishonored Felons, by examining the criminal policies of Imperial Germany and their enduring impact in the Weimar era, underscores the fact that criminal punishment went beyond mere discipline and instead served as a reflection of the national moral compass employed by authorities to shape the entitlements to citizenship, honor, and trust.

The German Empire, throughout its history, implemented a range of measures to restrict fundamental rights, including the right to enlist in the military, hold public office, and exercise the franchise. These restrictions were not merely disciplinary but were driven by a national moral compass that shaped the entitlements to citizenship, honor, and trust. Dishonored offenders faced widespread stigmatization, both formally and informally, as their convictions significantly impacted their treatment in correctional facilities, job market prospects, and access to rehabilitative services.

Citizens into Dishonored Felons, a book that focuses on Imperial Germany's criminal policies and their aftermath in the Weimar era, sheds light on the multifaceted nature of criminal punishment. It demonstrates that punishment was not solely a disciplinary measure but also reflected a broader societal belief in the importance of maintaining order, preserving social hierarchies, and upholding the values of citizenship.

The book explores how criminal policies were used to shape the rights to citizenship, honor, and trust. Authorities employed various strategies to restrict the rights of dishonored offenders, including the denial of voting privileges, exclusion from public office, and discrimination in the labor market. These policies not only punished individuals but also served to reinforce the social hierarchy and maintain the dominance of certain groups over others.

Furthermore, Citizens into Dishonored Felons highlights the enduring impact of these policies on the lives of dishonored offenders and their families. The book explores how the stigma of dishonor persisted long after the end of World War I, shaping individuals' opportunities, relationships, and sense of self-worth. It also examines the ways in which dishonored offenders were able to navigate the challenges posed by their convictions and reclaim their rights and place in society.

The book's analysis of criminal policies and their afterlives in the Weimar era provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between law, society, and morality. It demonstrates that criminal punishment was not solely a tool of repression but also a means of shaping and enforcing social norms and values. It also highlights the importance of examining the historical context in which criminal policies were implemented and the ways in which they continue to shape our understanding of justice and the rights of individuals.

In conclusion, Citizens into Dishonored Felons is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on the historical and societal significance of criminal punishment in the German Empire. By examining the criminal policies of Imperial Germany and their enduring impact in the Weimar era, the book demonstrates how criminal punishment was not solely a disciplinary measure but also a reflection of the national moral compass employed by authorities to shape the entitlements to citizenship, honor, and trust. The book's analysis provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between law, society, and morality and highlights the importance of examining the historical context in which criminal policies were implemented and the ways in which they continue to shape our understanding of justice and the rights of individuals.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800739581