The Price of Freedom: Criminalization and the Management of Outsiders in Germany and the United States

The Price of Freedom compares the American and German justice systems and argues that the German system is more lenient due to the violent enforcement of cultural homogeneity. It emphasizes that criminal justice reformers in the United States need to move beyond European models to build a just, diverse society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2024
Publisher: University of California Press

Seeking to shed light on how we might end mass incarceration, The Price of Freedom compares the histories and goals of the American and German justice systems. Drawing on repeated in-depth interviews with incarcerated young men in the United States and Germany,Michaela Soyer argues that the apparent relative lenience of the German criminal justice system is actually founded on the violent enforcement of cultural homogeneity at the hands of the German welfare state. Demonstrating how both societies have constructed a racialized underclass of outsiders over time,this book emphasizes that criminal justice reformers in the United States need to move beyond European models in order to build a truly just,diverse society.

The Price of Freedom, a groundbreaking book by Michaela Soyer, delves into the complex issue of mass incarceration and offers a fresh perspective on how to address it. By comparing the histories and goals of the American and German justice systems, Soyer challenges the prevailing notion that the German system is inherently more lenient. Through in-depth interviews with incarcerated young men in both countries, she reveals that the apparent leniency of the German system is, in fact, rooted in the violent enforcement of cultural homogeneity by the German welfare state. This book serves as a powerful reminder that criminal justice reformers in the United States must look beyond European models and strive to create a truly just and diverse society.

Soyer's research reveals that both the American and German justice systems have contributed to the creation of a racialized underclass of outsiders. In the United States, the criminal justice system has been plagued by racial disparities, with Black and Latinx individuals being disproportionately incarcerated. Similarly, in Germany, the welfare state has enforced a strict cultural homogeneity policy, which has led to the marginalization of immigrants and other minority groups. This book emphasizes the need for criminal justice reformers in the United States to address these systemic issues and work towards building a more equitable and inclusive society.

One of the key insights of The Price of Freedom is that criminal justice reformers in the United States must move beyond European models and embrace a more holistic approach to addressing mass incarceration. This means recognizing the role of social and economic factors in criminal behavior and implementing policies that address the root causes of crime. It also requires a commitment to racial justice and equity, as well as a recognition of the importance of community-based programs and interventions that support rehabilitation and reentry.

In conclusion, The Price of Freedom is a must-read for anyone interested in ending mass incarceration and building a more just and diverse society. By challenging the dominant narratives and offering a comprehensive analysis of the justice systems in the United States and Germany, Soyer provides a valuable roadmap for criminal justice reformers. This book is a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of human beings, and it offers hope for a brighter future.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520394254