Punishment and Modern Society: A Study in Social Theory

by David Garland

In this path-breaking book, David Garland argues that punishment is a complex social institution that affects both social relations and cultural meanings. Drawing on theorists from Durkheim to Foucault, he insightfully critiques the entire spectrum of social thought concerning punishment, and reworks it into a new interpretive synthesis.

" Punishment and Modern Society is an outstanding delineation of the sociology of punishment. At last the process that is surely the heart and soul of criminology, and perhaps of sociology as well—punishment—has been rescued from the fringes of these 'disciplines'. . . . This book is a first-class piece of scholarship."—Graeme Newman, Contemporary Sociology

"Garland's treatment of the theorists he draws upon is erudite, faithful and constructive. . . . Punishment and Modern Society is a magnificent example of working social theory."—John R. Sutton, American Journal of Sociology

" Punishment and Modern Society lifts contemporary penal issues from the mundane and narrow contours within which they are so often discussed and relocates them at the forefront of public policy. . . . This book will become a landmark study."—Andrew Rutherford, Legal Studies

"This is a superbly intelligent study. Its comprehensive coverage makes it a genuine review of the field. Its scholarship and incisiveness of judgment will make it a constant reference work for the initiated, and its concluding theoretical synthesis will make it a challenge and inspiration for those undertaking research and writing on the subject. As a state-of-the-art account it is unlikely to be bettered for many a year."—Rod Morgan, British Journal of Criminology

Winner of both the Outstanding Scholarship Award of the Crime and Delinquency Division of the Society for the Study of Social Problems and the Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Sociological Association's Crime, Law, and Deviance Section

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Theory, History, Academic, Politics

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 1990

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

David Garland is the Arthur T. Vanderbilt Professor of Law and Professor of Sociology at New York University. He is the author of the award-winning studies Punishment and Welfare and Punishment and Modern Society.

Reviews

[A. Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good overview of the sociology of punishment. It provides a coherent analysis of social theories of punishment and draws links between these theories. Garland is amazing at standing at some distance from the theory and presenting a broad story about these theories and the implications for understanding punishment today.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garland does an excellent job of proving summaries of major works in the fields of criminology, philosophy, and sociology that have shaped our understanding of punishment and social control. He also introduces his own critiques to each work and improves them with the culture concept, which is no small feat. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a historical account of theories of punishment and a new addition to these beliefs.

[Paco · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great textbook, as advertised. A good review of the different schools of thought around social theory of punishment. He did a great job of putting everything in context and including critiques and connections, but I didn’t love his attempt to put it all together into his own theory at the end.

[Michael McCluskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, great subject. Not for the layman. :)