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The Global Police State: A Comprehensive Examination by William Robinson

Asher Bell

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Published in The Global Police State William I Robinson

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In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, governments around the world have implemented a wide range of measures in the name of national security. These measures have included increased surveillance, expanded police powers, and the creation of new security agencies.

The Global Police State

by William I Robinson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	266 pages

While these measures have been justified as necessary to protect citizens from terrorism, they have also raised concerns about the potential for abuse. Critics argue that the global police state is eroding civil liberties, undermining democracy, and creating a climate of fear and distrust.

In his groundbreaking book, The Global Police State, William Robinson exposes the alarming rise of the global police state. Robinson draws on a wealth of evidence from around the world to demonstrate how governments are using new technologies and strategies to suppress dissent, control populations, and maintain power.

Mass Surveillance

One of the most troubling aspects of the global police state is the rise of mass surveillance. Governments are now using a variety of technologies to collect data on their citizens, including:

Facial recognition
Social media monitoring
Phone tracking
Internet surveillance

This data can be used to create detailed profiles of individuals, which can then be used to target them for surveillance, harassment, or prosecution.

In China, for example, the government has developed a sophisticated system of mass surveillance that includes facial recognition, social media monitoring, and internet censorship. This system has been used to crack down on dissent and to suppress the Uighur minority.

In the United States, the National Security Agency (NSA) has been collecting vast amounts of data on American citizens without their knowledge or consent. This data includes phone records, internet activity, and social media posts.

Mass surveillance is a serious threat to civil liberties. It allows governments to monitor and track their citizens without their knowledge or consent. This can create a climate of fear and distrust, and it can make it difficult for people to exercise their rights.

Militarized Policing

Another alarming trend in the global police state is the militarization of policing. Police departments around the world are increasingly acquiring military-grade weapons and equipment, such as:

Armored vehicles
Assault rifles
Tasers
Rubber bullets

This militarization of policing has led to a more aggressive and violent approach to law enforcement. Police are now more likely to use force against unarmed suspects, and they are less likely to be held accountable for their actions.

In the United States, for example, police have used military-grade weapons and equipment to suppress protests and to disperse crowds. This has led to a number of deaths and injuries.

Militarized policing is a serious threat to civil liberties. It gives police the power to intimidate and suppress dissent, and it can make it difficult for people to exercise their rights.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

The rise of the global police state has also led to a significant erosion of civil liberties. In many countries, governments have passed laws that restrict freedom of speech, assembly, and association.

In China, for example, the government has cracked down on dissent by arresting activists, closing down independent media outlets, and censoring the internet.

In Russia, the government has passed laws that criminalize dissent and that restrict the activities of NGOs.

In the United States, the government has expanded the powers of the NSA and has passed laws that allow for the indefinite detention of suspected terrorists.

The erosion of civil liberties is a serious threat to democracy. It makes it more difficult for people to hold their governments accountable, and it can lead to a climate of fear and repression.

The global police state is a serious threat to our freedom and democracy. It is eroding civil liberties, undermining democracy, and creating a climate of fear and distrust.

We must resist the rise of the global police state. We must demand that our governments respect our privacy, protect our civil liberties, and uphold the rule of law.

Only by working together can we create a world where freedom and democracy prevail.

References

Robinson, William I. The Global Police State: A Primer. Pluto Press, 2019.
Amnesty International. Surveillance: A Chilling Effect on Human Rights. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2018/07/surveillance-a-chilling-effect-on-human-rights/
Human Rights Watch. Militarization of the Police: A Global Trend. https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/06/18/militarization-police-global-trend
Freedom House. Freedom in the World 2022. https://freedomhouse.org/reports/freedom-world-2022

The Global Police State

by William I Robinson

4.6 out of 5