Security

Just a decade ago security had little claim to criminological attention. Today it is a central theme in criminology. Criminologists talk of governing security', governing through security', selling security' and tackling insecurity,' as well as making concrete reference to security management systems', private security' and the security industry'. Even before 9/11, the rise of risk assessment, actuarial justice, and prudentialism signified a marked shift away from the largely retrospective compass of the criminal justice process. The effect of 9/11 has been to promote security further still. The war on terror raises concerns about maintaining security in the face of catastrophic risk and has prompted intense political and academic debate how security should be pursued. Increased collaboration between policing and security services further erodes the distinction between security and crime control. In short, a combination of disciplinary paradigm shifts, policy change, and world political events have combined to shift security to the forefront of the criminological agenda. This book provides a brief, authoritative introduction to the subject of security. It distills the main issues, provides an accessible digest of the growing literature on security, and engages with the major academic debates. It serves simultaneously as an introduction to the concept of security in all its sundry forms and a timely reflection upon its significance, implications, and dangers. The book subjects security to rigorous critical analysis and proposes normative bases for its governance. In so doing, it situates itself at the vanguard of criminological writing on security.Zedner, Lucia is the author of 'Security' with ISBN 9780415391764 and ISBN 0415391768.