Policing Protest: The Post-Democratic State and the Figure of Black Insurrection

The policing of protest in the US has become increasingly hostile since the late 1990s, driven by responses to three interrelated crises: the political mobilization of marginalized social groups, the urban fiscal crisis, and the crime crisis. This trend is evidence of the emergence of a post-democratic state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2021
Publisher: Duke University Press

Since the late 1990s, the policing of protest in the United States has undergone a significant shift, moving away from strategies aimed at protecting protesters and towards militaristic practices designed to suppress them. This shift has been driven by a convergence of three interrelated crises: the political mobilization of marginalized social groups during the Civil Rights era, which led to a perceived crisis of democracy; the urban fiscal crisis of the 1970s; and the crime crisis associated with protests and civil disobedience in the 1960s.

Paul A. Passavant, in his book "Policing Protest," delves into this trend and explores how these crises have institutionalized a new mode of policing. He argues that these reactions are haunted by the figure of black insurrection, which continues to shape policing of protest and surveillance, particularly in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Passavant demonstrates that these responses to these crises are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader trend of violent policing strategies against protesters. He argues that this trend is evidence of the emergence of a post-democratic state in the United States, where the rights and freedoms of protesters are increasingly being eroded by the state.

The book also sheds light on the historical roots of this trend, tracing it back to the civil rights movement and the emergence of the Black Power movement. Passavant argues that the fear of black insurrection has been used as a justification for the excessive use of force by police officers against protesters.

Furthermore, Passavant explores the impact of this trend on social movements and the broader public. He argues that the use of violent policing strategies against protesters has had a chilling effect on the ability of social movements to organize and mobilize. It has also contributed to a sense of distrust and resentment towards the police among the broader public.

In conclusion, "Policing Protest" is a thought-provoking book that provides a comprehensive analysis of the policing of protest in the United States. It sheds light on the historical roots of this trend and its impact on social movements and the broader public. Passavant's book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the rights and freedoms of protesters and the role of the state in policing social movements.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478011439