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Book review: "Authoritarian Police in Democracy: Contested Security in Latin America. by Yanilda María González. Cambridge University Press"

Bolkvadze, Ketevan LU (2023) In Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice 17.
Abstract
Yanilda González has written a landmark study addressing a highly contentious issue of our time: the persistence of authoritarian policing practices in numerous countries, despite their transition to democracy. The central question explored in the book is how to reform the police bureaucracy, an institution tasked with ensuring security but often becoming the primary source of insecurity for citizens. González presents a compelling and concise argument that revolves around two factors: political competition and the convergence of societal preferences. According to the author, these factors play a pivotal role in determining whether politicians will pursue police reform or choose to maintain the status quo.

Notably, in previous... (More)
Yanilda González has written a landmark study addressing a highly contentious issue of our time: the persistence of authoritarian policing practices in numerous countries, despite their transition to democracy. The central question explored in the book is how to reform the police bureaucracy, an institution tasked with ensuring security but often becoming the primary source of insecurity for citizens. González presents a compelling and concise argument that revolves around two factors: political competition and the convergence of societal preferences. According to the author, these factors play a pivotal role in determining whether politicians will pursue police reform or choose to maintain the status quo.

Notably, in previous studies, each of these factors has been recognized separately as potential drivers of various institutional reforms. However, González not only demonstrates their individual limitations in generating police reform, but goes on to articulate the significance of considering these two factors in tandem, offering convincing evidence as to why their combined impact is crucial for achieving meaningful change in policing.
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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice
volume
17
article number
doi.org/10.1093/police/paad036
publisher
Oxford University Press
ISSN
1752-4520
project
Policing, Schooling, and Health Care in Historical and Comparative Perspective
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
56a04c12-9e11-492d-a077-1956488be722
alternative location
https://academic.oup.com/policing/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/police/paad036/7204426
date added to LUP
2024-01-07 20:00:20
date last changed
2024-01-08 09:29:34
@article{56a04c12-9e11-492d-a077-1956488be722,
  abstract     = {{Yanilda González has written a landmark study addressing a highly contentious issue of our time: the persistence of authoritarian policing practices in numerous countries, despite their transition to democracy. The central question explored in the book is how to reform the police bureaucracy, an institution tasked with ensuring security but often becoming the primary source of insecurity for citizens. González presents a compelling and concise argument that revolves around two factors: political competition and the convergence of societal preferences. According to the author, these factors play a pivotal role in determining whether politicians will pursue police reform or choose to maintain the status quo.<br/><br/>Notably, in previous studies, each of these factors has been recognized separately as potential drivers of various institutional reforms. However, González not only demonstrates their individual limitations in generating police reform, but goes on to articulate the significance of considering these two factors in tandem, offering convincing evidence as to why their combined impact is crucial for achieving meaningful change in policing.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Bolkvadze, Ketevan}},
  issn         = {{1752-4520}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice}},
  title        = {{Book review: "Authoritarian Police in Democracy: Contested Security in Latin America. by Yanilda María González. Cambridge University Press"}},
  url          = {{https://academic.oup.com/policing/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/police/paad036/7204426}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}