There are enormous challenges in establishing policing systems in young democracies. Such societies typically have a host of unresolved pressing social, economic and political questions that impinge on policing and the prospects for reform. There are a series of hugely important questions arising in this context, to do with the emergence of the new security agenda, the problems of transnational crime and international terrorism, the rule of law and the role of the police, security services and the military.

This is a field that is not only of growing academic interest but is now the focus of a very significant police reform 'industry'. Development agencies and entrepreneurs are involved around the globe in attempts to establish democratic police reforms in countries with little or no history of such activity. Consequently, there is a growing literature in this field, but as yet no single volume that brings together the central developments.

This book gathers together scholars from political science, international relations and criminology to focus on the issues raised by policing within developing democracies examining countries in Eastern Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.

About the Author

Mercedes S. Hinton is Nuffield Research Fellow in the Department of Law at the London School of Economics. Her previous book is the prize-winning The State on the Streets: Police and Politics in Argentina and Brazil (Lynne Rienner Publishers: 2006).

Tim Newburn is Professor of Criminology and Social Policy and Director of the Mannheim Centre for Criminology at the London School of Economics.

Reviews

'...excellent and comprehensive...impressively detailed.'

'The editors of this book must be commended for their recruitment of authors; every chapter demonstrates understanding of the country described as well as critical analysis of the policing regime. Hinton and Newburn have also achieved the much more difficult task of creating a sense of a book as a whole, with similar themes considered in each chapter and drawn out in the introduction. This book will be of interest to anyone studying developing countries, as success in police reform is a key indicator of democratic progress. It should also interest all students of policing as international comparisons provide valuable perspective. The book's clear structure and organization, along with the accessible style of writing adopted by all chapter authors means that the book can be recommended to all interested prospective readers, even those with little prior knowledge of the subjects covered.'
-Brian Stout, De Montfort University, in Policing, vol 5 iss 4

Book Information
ISBN 9780415428491
Author Mercedes S. Hinton
Format Paperback
Page Count 316
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 610g