Discover books similar to "Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California"

Ruth Wilson Gilmore

Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California

"Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California" by Ruth Wilson Gilmore is a seminal work in the field of criminology and critical race studies. Gilmore, a prominent scholar and activist, presents a comprehensive analysis of the prison boom in California and its connections to larger economic and political forces. The book's central argument is that the rapid expansion of the prison system in California is not a response to rising crime rates, but rather a product of economic and political crises. Gilmore contends that the growth of prisons is a result of the surplus labor and land created by deindustrialization, neoliberal policies, and structural racism. She argues that the prison system serves as a tool for managing this surplus population, while also maintaining racial and economic hierarchies. Gilmore's research is grounded in extensive fieldwork and interviews with prisoners, activists, and policymakers. She provides a detailed account of the political and economic forces that have shaped California's prison system, including the role of the military-industrial complex, the privatization of prisons, and the War on Drugs. The book also highlights the resistance movements that have emerged in response to the prison boom, including prisoner strikes, community organizing, and legal challenges. One of the book's key contributions is its examination of the relationship between prisons and globalization. Gilmore argues that the prison boom is not unique to California, but rather a global phenomenon linked to the neoliberal restructuring of economies and the rise of the security state. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding the prison system as part of a larger carceral continuum that includes policing, surveillance, and immigration detention. "Golden Gulag" is a must-read for anyone interested in criminal justice reform, critical race studies, and the intersections of race, class, and power. Gilmore's incisive analysis and vivid storytelling make for a compelling and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about prisons and punishment...