Planet of the Cops

The world is drowning in cops. From uniformed guards in supermarkets to private security contractors in war zones, policing is increasingly being carried out by companies, not states. Who are they protecting?

William I. Robinson, professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, believes that the root of global over-policing is what he calls “surplus humanity” – the humans that capitalism no longer requires, and who must therefore be controlled and violently repressed.

Using shocking data from his recent book, Global Police State, Robinson talks to Rivkah Brown about an out-of-control system, the stirrings of a global rebellion, and what social justice movements get wrong about cops.

Global Police State is available from Pluto Press. Watch Rivkah’s video, ‘Is Your Boss Spying On You?’

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We’re up against huge power and influence. Our supporters keep us entirely free to access. We don’t have any ad partnerships or sponsored content.

Donate one hour’s wage per month—or whatever you can afford—today.