Abstract

LOADER, Ian  and  SPARKS, Richard. Beyond Lamentation: Towards a Democratic Egalitarian Politics of Crime and Justice. Delito soc. [online]. 2015, vol.24, n.39, pp.15-49. ISSN 0328-0101.

This paper addresses some prospects and impediments around the democratization of aspects of crime control policy. It does so in the first place through a sympathetic critique of themes in the recent work of Robert Reiner. A consistent theme in his work has been the critique of hegemonic neo-liberalism and of its effects on both crime and the politics of crime control. In our view however these challenges demand a more open orientation to the future than is suggested by the recovery of social democratic traditions alone, as well as a keener engagement with the resources of contemporary political theory and analysis. The substantive aim of moderating inequalities is one major task for such a programme but far from the only one. We also confront testing questions about the forms of contemporary politics. In addressing these questions, we seek to find grounds for a less defensive, more hopeful politics of crime and punishment.

Keywords : Policing; Crime control; Neo-liberalism; Social democracy.