The Politics of Force: Media and the Construction of Police Brutality, Updated Edition

The Politics of Force by Regina G. Lawrence was the first scholarly book to examine how media coverage of unexpected, dramatic events shaped public consciousness about social and political problems. This updated edition contextualizes and extends these contributions, with a closer look at race and racial justice in incidents of police use of force. It also examines coverage of more recent incidents of police violence and how citizen activists are treated in the news. Lawrence provides an accessible update on news production dynamics and police use of force for a new generation of scholars, students, and activists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Over two decades ago, Regina G. Lawrence released The Politics of Force, a groundbreaking scholarly work that delved into the profound impact of media coverage on public perception of significant social and political issues. At a time when police brutality was seldom addressed in the mainstream media, Lawrence conducted an in-depth examination of over 500 incidents of police use of force, focusing particularly on the notorious Rodney King case. Through her meticulous research, Lawrence demonstrated that when incidents of police brutality reached the forefront of news coverage, they provided a rare platform for marginalized voices and activists to gain visibility and challenge the dominant powers.

In the years that followed, the contributions of The Politics of Force have gained even greater significance, not only due to the resurgence of police brutality in the public discourse but also as a result of significant changes in the media landscape. In this revised edition, Lawrence contextualizes and expands upon these earlier findings, while also taking a closer look at the issue of race and racial justice in incidents of police use of force. Reflecting on the historical context in which the book was written, a time when race and policing received limited attention in the media and political communication fields, Lawrence explores what has changed in media studies since the year 2000, what remains unchanged, and the reasons behind these developments.

Furthermore, Lawrence examines recent incidents of police violence and the treatment of citizen activists in the news. She raises important questions about how defining political problems through such events might or might not lead to more lasting policy change. By expanding on her landmark publication, Lawrence offers a accessible and timely update on news production dynamics and police use of force for a new generation of readers.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 233 x 155 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197616550