Description:
Focusing on a range of countries in Europe and beyond, this book demonstrates how government penetration into private citizens' lives was developing years before the 'war on terrorism.' It also aims to answer the question of whether central government actually has penetrated ever deeper into the lives of private citizens in various countries inside and outside of Europe, and whether citizens are protected against it, or have fought back.
Review Quotes:
'Histories of State Surveillance is carefully curated, essential reading for anyone interested in the history and practice of surveillance in comparative perspective. Against a robust theoretical discussion by David Lyon and Edward Higgs, this volume showcases the work of some of the most exciting new surveillance scholars writing today.' - Kirstie Ball, Professor of Organization, The Open University, UK
'This book places an important marker in the sand, by alerting us to the significance of history. History is important to surveillance studies because institutions, actors and activities in the past shape attitudes and behaviours in the present, and those of the present shape the future. As this book demonstrates, "the state" is a surveillance intensive environment, which differs from one national and institutional context to another - and by recognizing these differences we can start to appreciate the ubiquitous but differentiated and nuanced nature of surveillance. In doing so, this book provides an essential exploration of the intertwined relations between history, the state and surveillance.' - Professor William Webster, University of Stirling, UK