Towards a Surveillant Society

The Rise of Surveillance Systems in Europe

Thomas Mathiesen

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English

Waterside Press
09 September 2013

Social issues & processes; Surveillance services

A most timely publication in view of current concerns about snooping. Thomas Mathiesen describes how the major databases of Europe have become interlinked and accessible to diverse organizations and third States; meaning that, largely unchallenged, a 'Surveillance Monster' now threatens rights, freedoms, democracy and the Rule of Law. As information is logged on citizens' every move, data flows across borders via systems soon to be under central, global or even non-State control. Secret plans happen behind closed doors and 'systems func tionaries' become defensive of their own role. Goals expand and entire processes are shrouded in mystery. Alongside the integration of automated systems sits a weakening of State ties as the Prum Treaty and Schengen Convention lead to systems lacking transparency, restraint or Parliamentary scrutiny. As Mathiesen explains, the intention may have been fighting terrorism or organized crime, but the means have become disproportionate, unaccountable, over-expensive and lacking in results which ordinary vigilance and sound intelligence in communities should provide.

By: Thomas Mathiesen
Imprint: Waterside Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 408g
ISBN: 9781904380979
ISBN 10: 1904380972
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 09 September 2013
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

"Dictionary for Big Data About the author Preface and Acknowledgements 1. The Sociology of the Internet: Towards an ""Information Society""?: A World Wide Development - Beginnings? - The Modern Computer - From Industrial Society to Information Society? - Conclusions So Far - Panopticon or Polyopticon? - Institutions Clustered around Functions Framework of Interpretation - The Technology of Political Control. 2. Enemy Images - And Terrorism: Too Much of a Simplification - Three Enemy Images - The Framework Decision on Terrorism - Appendix - Epilogue for Chapter 2. 3. The Surveillance Systems: A Case - A Plethora of Systems - The Systems (SIS and SIS II - Schengen Information System; The Sirene Exchange; The Europol Computer Systems; EURODAC; The Data Retention Directive, and -; API - Advance Passenger Information; In General: How is the future fixed?) - Finale: Echelon - A Plethora Indeed. 4. The Common Features of Information and Surveillance Systems: Integration of Systems - Weakening of State Ties - Availability - But also Force - Global Control Without a State? - Lex Vigilatoria? - Does Lex Vigilatoria Catch Terrorists? - Court Trials - Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law - What Should be Done? 5. Epilogue: The Bomb and the Massacre: The Bomb - The Massacre - Crime or Illness? - Politics or Illness? - The Trial - Conclusions - Two Additional Incidents - We Have to Hark Back - A Final Challenge. Bibliography. Index."

Thomas Mathiesen is Professor of Sociology of Law at the University of Oslo. One of the leading inter national commentators on surveillance issues, he has long been associated with penetrating analysis of challenges to democracy and the abuse of power, including in Prison on Trial; Across the Boundaries of Organizations; The Politics of Abolition and Silently Silenced: Essays on the Creation of Acquiescence in Modern Society.

Reviews for Towards a Surveillant Society: The Rise of Surveillance Systems in Europe

'I strongly recommend this book to anyone worried about the possible threats to democracy, law and scientific knowledge posed by the growth, uses and abuses of information technology. And I recommend it even more strongly to anyone who has yet to be convinced there is cause for concern': Pat Carlen, University of Leicester, British Journal of Criminology. 'Brings into the light the hidden effects of [surveillance and warns] of the need for vigilance': Tony Bunyan, Director, Statewatch. 'A timely and highly troubling analysis [ which] reinforces alarm regarding a panoptical globe': Andrew Rutherford.