5. Late Modernity, Politics, and Crime

What characterizes late modernity?

Technological advancement, risk, and changes in power dynamics.

What is governmentality in the context of late modernity?

The way the state exercises control over the population and encourages individuals to govern themselves.

How does surveillance relate to social media and crime control?

Social media facilitates peer surveillance and allows police to monitor public sentiment and track criminal activity.

What is the culture of control?

A societal shift towards managing and regulating behavior through surveillance and control mechanisms.

Define 'liquid modernity' according to Bauman.

An era characterized by fluidity, instability, and the erosion of collective structures, marked by consumerism and individualism.

What is the role of risk in late modernity?

Risk management becomes a governing strategy, influencing law, policy, and everyday life.

What does 'responsibilisation' refer to in crime prevention?

The increasing encouragement for individuals to take responsibility for their own security and crime prevention.

How does Foucault's concept of power differ from traditional views?

Foucault views power as a set of relationships that manage and constrain individuals rather than merely a top-down authority.

What is the significance of the term 'surveillance capitalism'?

It describes how social media companies collect and monetize user data, turning users into both consumers and products.

What are the implications of the 'risk society' as proposed by Ulrich Beck?

It highlights how modern societies are increasingly focused on managing risks such as climate change and financial crises.

What is the impact of globalization on crime and justice in late modernity?

Globalization leads to new forms of crime and complicates traditional approaches to justice.

What does the term 'politicisation of crime' imply?

The process by which crime and justice issues become central to political discourse and policy-making.

How has the nature of criminal justice changed in late modernity?

It has shifted from responding to crimes after they occur to pre-emptively managing risks associated with crime.

What role does technology play in modern governance?

Technology is used to monitor behavior and manage risks, often leading to increased surveillance and control.

What are some examples of risks that dominate contemporary society?

Climate change, financial crises, pandemics, and terrorism.

How does the concept of 'liquid love' relate to modern relationships?

It describes the fragility and disposability of human bonds in a consumerist society.

What are the consequences of increased individualism in late modernity?

Erosion of collective structures and a focus on personal identity and consumerism.

What does the term 'actuarial justice' refer to?

A justice system that relies on risk assessment tools to manage populations rather than focusing solely on individual cases.

What is the relationship between crime prevention and private agencies in late modernity?

There is an increasing role of private agencies in policing and security, alongside citizen involvement in crime prevention.

How does the concept of 'normalising order' manifest in public spaces?

Through mechanisms like ticketing, queues, and surveillance that create a controlled environment.

What is the critique of governmentality in relation to individual freedom?

It can lead to overregulation and constant surveillance, marginalizing those who do not conform to societal norms.

What is the significance of the 'nuclear family' in modernity?

It represents a clear social structure based on class, race, and gender during the modern era.

What does 'changing property relations' refer to in the context of late modernity?

The shift from public to private ownership and the implications for governance and crime.

What is a significant turning point in late modernity regarding crime?

The erosion of privacy and normalization of surveillance as a political issue.

How has the blurring of private and public spaces affected society?

It has created spaces that feel public but are privately owned and controlled, such as malls and social media.

What are examples of mass private property that resemble public spaces?

Shopping malls, stadiums, and airports that are subject to corporate rules and surveillance.

What role do social media platforms play in contemporary society?

They act as privately owned 'public squares' that influence social interaction and surveillance.

What is the concept of 'governance' in the context of modern states?

Governance involves shaping behavior and subjectivity, not just through law but also through surveillance and control.

What is the significance of risk in late modern governance?

Managing risks such as crime and terrorism has become central to governance strategies.

How has the culture of control influenced criminal justice policy since the late 1960s?

Crime became a partisan issue, with political leaders framing it as a wedge issue to gain support.

What was Nixon's contribution to the politicization of crime?

He framed riots as urban chaos, tapping into racial fears and making crime a political asset.

What was the impact of Reagan's 'War on Drugs' on crime politics?

It cemented crime as a vote-winner and framed it as a threat to social order.

How did crime become a central election issue in Australia?

Through political rhetoric emphasizing 'tough on crime' policies and mandatory sentencing debates.

What shift occurred in the philosophy of justice during late modernity?

A decline of the rehabilitative ideal and a re-emergence of punitive sanctions and victim-centered justice.

What does Garland's 'Culture of Control' explain?

It explains how late modern insecurities and the politicization of crime reshaped criminal justice.

What are the three big shifts in criminal justice during late modernity?

1. Philosophy shift from rehabilitation to risk and punishment. 2. Politics shift towards populism and crisis. 3. Practices shift towards prevention and commercialisation.

How has media attention on crime changed since the late 1960s?

The proportion of crime stories in newspapers increased from 10% to 20%.

What is the significance of victims' rights movements in contemporary crime politics?

They have led to a focus on protecting 'ordinary folks' and have influenced policy towards harsher sentencing.

What does the term 'zero-sum framing' refer to in the context of crime?

It refers to the perspective that victims' rights are often positioned against defendants' rights.

What is the relationship between political choice and sentencing policy?

Sentencing policy is often more a result of political choice than public attitudes.

What historical context contributed to Indigenous overrepresentation in Australian prisons?

Colonial history and ongoing systemic issues have led to significant overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians.

What was the impact of the 'Truth in Sentencing' law introduced in 1989?

It led to longer custodial terms and accelerated prison growth in Australia.

How did the ACT's approach to crime control differ from other Australian states?

The ACT historically had the lowest imprisonment rate and a more benign judicial culture.

What role does moral panic play in contemporary crime politics?

It drives media narratives and political discourse, often leading to expanded policing powers.

What trend occurred in imprisonment rates in Australia post-2005?

There was a steady climb in imprisonment rates, with a 20% rise between 2012 and 2014, now above the national average.

What reforms contributed to the increase in imprisonment rates in Australia?

Sentencing and parole reforms, such as 'truth in sentencing,' initiated under the Liberal party and continued under Labor.

What is the significance of the remand population in Australia?

Australia has the highest remand rates, leading to an unusually large remand population.

How do bipartisan politics influence crime policy in Australia?

Both major parties endorse 'get tough' approaches, focusing on prison expansion over non-custodial alternatives.

What is the relationship between Indigenous overrepresentation and imprisonment rates in Australia?

Indigenous people make up 3% of the population but account for over 40% of the prison population.

What cultural factors contribute to the punitive culture in Australia?

Right realism, linked to the state's isolation and 'frontier' mentality, influences the punitive culture.

What is the impact of the 'law and order' agenda on Australian politics?

The 'law and order' agenda dominates political discourse, regardless of the political party in power.

What was the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) branded as?

It was branded as a 'human rights prison,' although outcomes often fall short of this ideal.

What policing strategy saw a significant increase in imprisonment rates between 2015 and 2019?

The 'Broken Windows' policing strategy led to a 24% rise in imprisonment during that period.

What is the goal of justice reinvestment in Australia?

The goal is to reduce prison numbers through investment in community-based alternatives.

What are the key issues regarding Indigenous people and the criminal justice system in Australia?

Indigenous people are more likely to serve short sentences for less serious offenses and cycle in and out of the system.

What does the deprivation-crime nexus suggest about overrepresentation in prisons?

It links overrepresentation to higher exposure to criminogenic conditions such as poverty and marginalization.

What is the critique of the approach focusing on social drivers of crime?

Critics argue that it may neglect the structural influences and inequalities that contribute to crime.

What has been the trend in crime and justice politicization since the 1980s?

There has been an increasing politicization of crime, with measures like 'truth in sentencing' gaining traction.

What does 'Right realism' reject in terms of penal policy?

Right realism rejects rehabilitation in favor of deterrence as the primary penal policy.

What does the 'Broken Windows' theory emphasize?

It emphasizes the importance of addressing small signs of disorder to prevent larger violations of social norms.

What are the criticisms of 'Right realism' in criminology?

Critics argue it avoids dealing with structural influences, overemphasizes individual differences, and underplays issues of power.

What is 'Edgework' in the context of criminology?

Edgework refers to the voluntary pursuit of activities that involve risk, danger, or uncertainty, highlighting the thrill of transgression.

How has globalization affected crime and identity in late modernity?

Globalization exacerbates relative deprivation and crises of identity, blurring boundaries and impacting social conditions.

What is the focus of cultural criminology?

Cultural criminology examines the meanings and representations of crime, advocating for qualitative methods.

What is the significance of the 'Seductions of crime' concept by Katz?

It explores the emotional and expressive aspects of crime, emphasizing the thrill and excitement involved.

What movements have gained traction since around 2015 in response to crime and justice?

Progressive and abolitionist movements, including restorative justice and reframing drug use as a public health crisis.

What characterizes the structured, stratified society in late modernity?

It is defined by gender, class, and race distinctions.

What is the dominant family structure in late modernity?

The nuclear family.

What economic changes are observed in late modernity?

Growth of local economies and manufacturing.

What narrative is prevalent in late modernity?

A narrative of progress, order, science, and human empowerment.

What critique is made against the progress narrative in late modernity?

It masks historical violence, exclusion, and marginalizes non-Western knowledge.

What defines the era of late modernity (Post-1970-Present)?

Disruption of the grand narrative of linear progress and increased globalization.

What are key features of late modernity?

Fluidity, instability, individualization, heightened uncertainty, and complexity.

How has consumerism changed in late modernity?

There is increased consumerism and reliance on technology.

What concept describes the instability of relationships in late modernity?

Liquid Modernity, which emphasizes flexible and disposable relationships.

Who introduced the concept of Liquid Modernity?

Zygmunt Bauman.

What does Foucault's concept of power entail?

Power is enacted through daily relations and institutions, not just held by the state.

What is governmentality according to Foucault?

The subtle tactics used by the state to shape behavior, leading individuals to self-police.

How does the concept of risk society relate to late modernity?

It focuses on managing risks produced by modernization, such as pollution and inequality.

What is actuarial justice?

A shift towards anticipating and preventing future risks rather than responding to past crimes.

What does the term 'surveillance' encompass in late modernity?

It includes digital tracking, social media monitoring, and peer-to-peer surveillance.

How have property relations changed in late modernity?

There is a rise of mass private property, where public spaces are privately controlled.

What political shift occurred regarding crime policy after the 1970s?

Crime policy became partisan, with politicians using tough-on-crime stances to gain votes.

What is the 'Culture of Control' as described by David Garland?

A synthesis of late modern insecurities and the politicization of crime, emphasizing risk and punishment.

What is the significance of Indigenous overrepresentation in Australian prisons?

Indigenous Australians have a prison rate 13 times higher than non-Indigenous, influenced by colonial legacy and racism.

What is the focus of right realism in criminological theory?

It emphasizes individual responsibility and deterrence, rejecting structural explanations.

What does cultural criminology emphasize?

The meaning-making, lived experience, and emotional aspects of crime.

How do structural functionalism and conflict theory apply to late modernity?

They analyze how social and technological changes disrupt order and consolidate power.

What is the impact of media on public perception of crime?

Media saturation fuels the perception of rising crime rates, influencing policy and public fear.

What are the implications of changing property relations for social life?

They blur the lines between public and private goods, increasing corporate influence over daily life.

What is the role of surveillance in contemporary society?

Surveillance is normalized and often justified by safety, leading to privacy and inequality risks.