DIALECTICS OF LEGAL REPRESSION - BLACK REBELS BEFORE THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL COURTS

• NCJ Number: 13647
• Author(s): I D BALBUS
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 284 pages
• Sale Source: Russell Sage Foundation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXPLANATION OF THE RESPONSE OF THE CRIMINAL COURTS OF THIS NATION TO THE BLACK GHETTO REVOLTS OF THE MID 1960'S.

Abstract

THE BOOK PROVIDES A DETAILED RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SANCTION PROCESS, FROM POINT OF ARREST TO POINT OF ULTIMATE DISPOSITION, IN THE THREE CITIES OF CHICAGO, DETROIT, AND LOS ANGELES (WATTS). THE AUTHOR DEVELOPS A THEORY OF LEGAL REPRESSION IN WHICH THE NATURE AND SEVERITY OF LEGAL SANCTIONS IS UNDERSTOOD AS THE PRODUCT OF A DELICATE BALANCE WHICH AMERICAN POLITICAL ELITES ARE FORCED TO STRIKE AMONG A NUMBER OF VITAL YET CONTRADICTORY CORE INTERESTS. THE APPLICATION OF THIS DIALECTICAL METHOD AVOIDS TWO COMMON AND OPPOSITE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF POLITICAL REPRESSION IN THE LIBERAL STATE (1) THAT POLITICAL REPRESSION IS INCIDENTAL TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE LIBERAL STATE AND (2) THAT POLITICAL REPRESSION IN THE LIBERAL STATE IS THE EQUIVALENT OF POLITICAL REPRESSION IN THE FASCIST STATE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)