Overview

This unique collection explores the complex issue of vigilantism, how it is represented in popular culture, and what is its impact on behavior and the implications for the rule of law. The book is a transnational investigation across a range of eleven different jurisdictions, including accounts of the Anglophone world (Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States), European experiences (Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Portugal), and South American jurisdictions (Argentina and Brazil). The essays, written by prominent international scholars in law, sociology, criminology, and media studies, present data, historical and recent examples of vigilantism; examine the national Laws and jurisprudence; and focus on the broad theme of vigilante justice in popular culture (literature, films, television). Vigilante Justice in Society and Popular Culture sheds light on this topic offering a detailed look beyond the Anglophone world. This collection will enrich the debate by adding the opportunity for comparison which has been largely lacking in scholarly debate. As such, it will appeal not only to scholars of law, sociology, criminology, and media studies, but also to all those who are engaged with these topics alike.

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter Robson ,  Ferdinando Spina ,  Michael Asimow ,  Pedro Fortes
Publisher:   Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Imprint:   Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.10cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 22.70cm
Weight:   0.549kg
ISBN:  

9781683933564

ISBN 10:   1683933567
Pages:   358
Publication Date:   22 March 2024
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction: Vigilantism – an Overview Peter Robson and Ferdinando Spina Part I: The Anglophone World 1. American Vigilantism - Popular Justice and Popular Culture Michael Asimow 2. Vigilantes, the Law and Popular Culture – The British Experience Peter Robson 3. Vigilante Frontier Communities on Australian Screens: Bushrangers, Bikies, and Bogans Lili Pâquet 4. Vigilante Justice in Canada Rebecca Johnson Part II: European Experiences 5. Vigilante Justice in Germany Franziska Stürmer 6. Vigilantism – the Greek Approach Nickos Myrtou and Stamatis Poulakidakos 7. Vigilantes, the Law and Popular Culture – The Italian Experience Ferdinando Spina 8. The Punishing Hand of Vigilante Justice in Poland Joanna Osiejewicz 9. Margins Without Justice: Revenge in João Canijo’s Portuguese Cinema Júlia Garraio Part III: A South American Perspective 10. “You Said Perpetual!” Approaches to Vigilantism in Argentine Culture Sebastian Viqueira 11. Vigilante Justice and the Rule of Death: The Existential Threat to the State and Its People in Brazil Pedro Fortes

Reviews

A fascinating group of essays, from a number of countries in various parts of the world, on forms of vigilantism, broadly conceived: collective movements, as well as individual acts of revenge and private justice. The essays pay special attention to these themes in literature, movies, and TV. This work will be important, and illuminating, for a wide range of scholars of legal and social history; and in particular, for students of law and popular culture. -- Lawrence M. Friedman, Marion Rice Kirkwood Professor of Law at Stanford Law School Vigilante justice is a disturbing reminder of the limits of law and the fault lines of social order. This unique and altogether fascinating collection explores how vigilantism is portrayed in popular culture around the world and the lessons these representations contain for understanding law and society. -- David Garland, Arthur T. Vanderbilt Professor of Law and Professor of Sociology at New York University Is vigilantism a form of righteous revolution – an alternative “street justice”? Or is it violent revenge justified by claims of individual liberty that disregards the rule of law benefits for the most vulnerable? This collection explores these questions from a global perspective within popular culture. It decenters the hegemonic images of defiant U.S. vigilante heroes with gloriously diverse representations of “justice vigilantism” in a world still devoted to democracy and due process but struggling with an epidemic of democracy deficits and a lost confidence in law to deliver justice. The collection includes some canonical scholars as well as rising stars. It is a gift to the law and humanities community. -- Jessica Silbey, Professor of Law and Yanakakis Faculty Research Scholar, Boston University School of Law The boundaries of law often stretch beyond the ordered courtroom into the frenetic turbulence of the streets. The fury of the mob that seeks to frame the narrative of popular justice through reactivity and direct action represents law as untamed and enlivened; yet in these often feral moments, law emerges as rabidly foaming from the mouth, thus perpetuating an antagonistic juxtaposition between legitimacy and terror. This collection of vigilante scholarship, drawing upon examples from Europe, South America, and the Anglosphere, makes a valuable contribution to the study of how law really works and challenges assumptions of what law is and/or should be. -- Sarah Marusek, Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Hawai'i Hilo Vigilante justice is the stuff of legends and lies at the heart of popular culture by creating heroes and heroines who challenge what they see as injustice in the existing order. Where it tends to fall flat is when the vigilantes’ individual visions of justice differ and conflict with the broader goals of law. In this informative and insightful “must read” collection, Peter Robson and Ferdinando Spina bring together a cadre of international authors who carefully explain the different perspectives of vigilantism from their own cultural perspectives. -- David S. Wall, Professor of Criminology at the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies in the School of Law, University of Leeds, UK

"A fascinating group of essays, from a number of countries in various parts of the world, on forms of vigilantism, broadly conceived: collective movements, as well as individual acts of revenge and private justice. The essays pay special attention to these themes in literature, movies, and TV. This work will be important, and illuminating, for a wide range of scholars of legal and social history; and in particular, for students of law and popular culture. --Lawrence M. Friedman, Marion Rice Kirkwood Professor of Law at Stanford Law School Is vigilantism a form of righteous revolution - an alternative ""street justice""? Or is it violent revenge justified by claims of individual liberty that disregards the rule of law benefits for the most vulnerable? This collection explores these questions from a global perspective within popular culture. It decenters the hegemonic images of defiant U.S. vigilante heroes with gloriously diverse representations of ""justice vigilantism"" in a world still devoted to democracy and due process but struggling with an epidemic of democracy deficits and a lost confidence in law to deliver justice. The collection includes some canonical scholars as well as rising stars. It is a gift to the law and humanities community. --Jessica Silbey, Professor of Law and Yanakakis Faculty Research Scholar, Boston University School of Law The boundaries of law often stretch beyond the ordered courtroom into the frenetic turbulence of the streets. The fury of the mob that seeks to frame the narrative of popular justice through reactivity and direct action represents law as untamed and enlivened; yet in these often feral moments, law emerges as rabidly foaming from the mouth, thus perpetuating an antagonistic juxtaposition between legitimacy and terror. This collection of vigilante scholarship, drawing upon examples from Europe, South America, and the Anglosphere, makes a valuable contribution to the study of how law really works and challenges assumptions of what law is and/or should be. --Sarah Marusek, Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Hawai'i Hilo Vigilante justice is a disturbing reminder of the limits of law and the fault lines of social order. This unique and altogether fascinating collection explores how vigilantism is portrayed in popular culture around the world and the lessons these representations contain for understanding law and society. --David Garland, Arthur T. Vanderbilt Professor of Law and Professor of Sociology at New York University Vigilante justice is the stuff of legends and lies at the heart of popular culture by creating heroes and heroines who challenge what they see as injustice in the existing order. Where it tends to fall flat is when the vigilantes' individual visions of justice differ and conflict with the broader goals of law. In this informative and insightful ""must read"" collection, Peter Robson and Ferdinando Spina bring together a cadre of international authors who carefully explain the different perspectives of vigilantism from their own cultural perspectives. --David S. Wall, Professor of Criminology at the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies in the School of Law, University of Leeds, UK"

Author Information

Peter Robson is professor of social welfare law at the University of Strathclyde. Ferdinando Spina is associate professor of Sociology of Law at the University of Salento.

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