Signaling Power and the Social Construction of Crime: the Case of Police Street Banners/slogans in Guangzhou, China

• In Event: ACCCJ Corruption and Crime in China

Abstract

Based on six years ethnography and content analysis of over 2,000 street banners/slogans, this paper examines the category and function of police banners/slogans in Guangzhou. We find that police banners/slogans are a unique way of crime prevention in China. They serve multiple functions like increasing crime prevention awareness for potential victims, having an alleged deterrence effect on offenders, mobilizing the masses’ awareness to political campaigns, as well as showing evidence of police performance. They may also serve the latent functions of reducing the recorded crime rate, signaling power of the state, and sharing responsibility for victimization. The wide existence of police banners/slogans is just part of many other forms of street banners/slogans. The use of banners has its roots in the communist revolution and the Cultural Revolution. It is a common feature of Chinese propaganda work and authoritarianism. The banners may also affect citizens’ impression of crime as it may over-represent some types of crime while under-representing others.

Author

• Jianhua Xu, University of Macau