Welcome

Themes for the 2nd Crime, Justice and Social Democracy Conference – QUT, Brisbane, 8-11 July 2012

Papers are invited to be submitted under the general theme or any of the sub-themes listed below.

General Theme: Crime, Justice and Social Democracy

Criminal justice and penal systems have increased dramatically in size, reach and punitiveness over the past two decades, a period dominated by neo-liberalism across the UK, US, parts of Europe and Australia, and the scaling back of other forms of state intervention. Critical scholars in the social sciences from a range of disciplines – sociology, law, criminology, politics and history – have long been attuned to the dangers that lurk within the power to criminalize. The general theme of this conference invites papers that aim to reinvigorate the intellectual and policy debates about the link between social justice, social democracy and the reduction of harm, crime and victimization through the alleviation of inequalities and building of more socially just and inclusive societies. It provides a timely reflection on the neo-liberal epoch of crime control, the growing demand for justice and democratic reform sweeping parts of the globe, and the impact of the global corporatism on the erosion of social, civil and human rights.

Sub-Themes

• Policing, Security and Democratic Freedoms
• Gender, Sexuality and Justice
• Justice and Social Disadvantage
• Penal policy and punishment in the global era
• Eco-Justice, Corporate Crimes and Official Corruption
• Courts, Law and Justice Institutions

About

Criminal justice and penal systems have increased dramatically in size, reach and punitiveness over the past two decades, a period dominated by neo-liberalism and retrenchment of social welfare across the UK, US, parts of Europe and Australia. Critical scholars in the social sciences from a range of disciplines – sociology, law, criminology, politics and history – have long been attuned to the dangers that lurk within the power to criminalize and responses to crime control shaped by punitive populism.

It is timely therefore to reflect on the neo-liberal epoch of crime control, particularly in light of the return to social democracy signaled by the policies of President Barack Obama. The aim of this conference is to reinvigorate the intellectual and policy debates about the link between social justice, social democracy and the reduction of harm, crime and victimization through the alleviation of inequalities and building of more socially just and inclusive societies.