Focusing on the concept of social harm, the book explores its historical foundations and the evolution of discussions surrounding it. By employing a zemiological perspective, it aims to transcend the limitations of traditional criminology, offering fresh insights into the complexities of social issues. The text highlights significant developments in the understanding of social harm, making it a critical resource for those interested in contemporary social theory and justice.
Despite the enormous economic, physical and social impacts of crimes committed by states and corporations, they are still relatively under-researched within contemporary social science―partly because of the perpetrator’s ability to evade critical scrutiny. The contributions in this book map out the parameters of a political economy of researching the powerful, marking out the major problems encountered, and identifying ways in which these problems might be overcome or circumnavigated. To this end, the book brings together original essays which reflect upon researching the powerful in Britain, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Spain, Turkey and the United States. Together these chapters advance our understandings of what corporate and state power is, how this power operates, and how it might be more effectively resisted.
The book explores the intricate relationship between economic crises and their broader implications on society, politics, and social protection. It highlights the tension between economic and social welfare systems and the freedom of corporations, offering a critical analysis of current regulatory challenges. By documenting these inconsistencies, it provides valuable insights into the dynamics of social protection during times of economic turmoil.
With growing acknowledgement that torture is too narrowly defined in law, this book offers a nuanced reflection on the definition of torturous violence and its implications for survivors. Drawing on a decade of research with psychologists and women seeking asylum, Canning sets out the implications of social silencing of torture.