The commodification of security functions and its threats to democracy

• In Event: 30267 - Policing and Military Sociology

Abstract

Studies on repression have been focusing on states’ actions, where law enforcement agencies surveil, detain, manipulate, and harm civilians. In this study we point out an emerging trend that represents the privatization of repressive capabilities, committing those to market forces. We discuss the commodification of high-end exclusive security functions and their risks to democracy, individuals’ rights, and the rule of law. The privatization of military and security functions aimed at addressing manpower shortages and gaps in skills required to sustain wars and counterinsurgency efforts across the world developed into a booming market. When demand declined after the conclusion of the Iraq War in 2010, the industry started exploring domestic opportunities, translating the skills and experience gained in conflict areas to domestic clients. Those commodities are substantially different from the regular police and security tools and skills available for domestic law enforcement agencies or civilian use. In turn, those can be used to expand disparities domestically and encroach democratic processes. Affluent clients and local governments can utilize elite methods and tools of surveillance and repression, most of the time used against those with less power in society. We explore this process and its implications across three cases: Black Cube involvement in the Harvey Weinstein case, TigerSwan employment of counterterrorism tactics against protesters, and Palantir surveillance services to police department in Los Angeles.

Author

• Ori Swed, Texas Tech University