In this book, Vincenzo Ruggiero offers a typology of different forms of political violence. From systemic and institutional violence, to the behaviour of crowds, to armed conflict and terrorism, Ruggiero draws on a range of perspectives from criminology, social theory, political science, critical legal studies and literary criticism to consider how these forms of violence are linked in an interdependent field of forces.
Ruggiero argues that systemic violence encourages more institutional violence, which in turn weakens the ability of citizens to set up political agendas for change. He advocates for a reduction of all types of violence, which can be enacted through fairer distribution of resources and the provision of political space for contention and negotiation.
This book will be of interest to all those engaged in research on violence, terrorism, armed conflict and the crimes of the powerful. It makes an important contribution to criminological and social theory.
Biography
Vincenzo Ruggiero is Professor of Sociology at Middlesex University. He has worked on penal systems, fiction and crime, illegal markets, social movements and the crimes of the powerful. He has conducted research for the ESRC, the European Commission and the United Nations. Among his recent sole-authored books are Penal Abolitionism (2010), The Crimes of the Economy (2013), Power and Crime (2015) and Dirty Money (2017). In 2016 he was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Criminology, Division on Critical Criminology.
"With typical panache and erudition, Vincenzo Ruggiero offers an unusual and original take on political violence. Drawing on philosophy, sociology and political science, his analysis ranges over territory that incorporates systemic and institutional violence, riot, terrorism and war. Within political violence Ruggiero finds the source of many of the greatest dangers we face as well as the potential for emancipation and liberation."Tim Newburn, Professor of Criminology and Social Policy, London School of Economics, UK
"In this book, Vincenzo Ruggiero has proved himself to be one of the most powerful academic voices on political violence. From his ingenious explorations of various forms of political violence to his suggestions for reducing the occurrence of this type of violence, Professor Ruggiero intersects theory and context to tell a captivating narrative of political violence. The book makes a remarkable contribution to criminology and the social sciences. Academics, policy makers and practitioners, with interest in violence, including its varied expressions and possible solutions, will find this book useful."
Anita Kalunta-Crumpton, Professor of Administration of Justice, Texas Southern University, USA
