Description

Controlling Crimes of Empire

The author calls upon criminologists to consider the crimes of states committed within their own territories, but also the crimes of empires, which constitute the greatest crimes outside their territories. However, criminology has only recently begun to discuss crimes in the context of empire. When the many forms of U.S. crimes are conceptualized as crimes of empire, then criminologists must consider how to resist and/or control such criminal behaviors. The author argues that this first requires recognizing the centrality of the concept of empire and making the case for national and international controls of the crimes that stem from it.

empire, state crime, resistance, social movements, citizens tribunals

Citation: Social Justice Vol. 36, No.3 (2009): 98-110