Towards a Surveillant Society: The Rise of Surveillance Systems in Europe - Softcover

Mathiesen, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1904380972 ISBN 13: 9781904380979

Publisher: Waterside Press, 2013

Synopsis

Tracking the Surveillance Monster... Thomas Mathiesen describes how the major databases of Europe have become interlinked and accessible not just to participating countries but 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 are hatched behind closed doors and 'systems func­tionaries' become defensive of their own roles. Goals expand and entire processes are shrouded in mystery. Alongside the integration of automated systems sits a weakening of State ties as Prüm, Schengen, Verizon, Prism and similar ventures lead to a lack of transparency, restraint or effective if any Parliamentary scrutiny. As Mathiesen points out in this penetrating account, the intention may have been fighting terrorism or organized crime, but the means have become disproportionate, unaccountable, over-expensive and lacking the verifiable results which ordinary vigilance, alertness and sound intelligence in communities should inherently provide. '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.

About this title

About the Author:

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.

Review:

'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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Waterside Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1904380972
• ISBN 13: 9781904380979
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 290