Figures of Criminality in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Colonial Vietnam

Key themes

The Construction of Criminality

This is the foundational theme, arguing that 'criminality' is not an inherent quality but a social and political designation. The book explores how various actors—colonial powers, postcolonial states, legal systems, and societal norms—actively define what constitutes a crime and who is labeled a criminal. This process is shown to be deeply intertwined with power relations, control, and the maintenance of social order.

Surveillance and Discipline

The book meticulously examines how surveillance mechanisms, from colonial census-taking and identity cards to modern policing and intelligence gathering, are deployed to monitor, categorize, and control populations. Discipline, in the Foucauldian sense, is shown as a pervasive force that normalizes certain behaviors and punishes others, thereby shaping individual conduct and societal structure.

Colonial Legacies and Postcolonial State Power

This theme explores the enduring impact of colonial rule on the formation of postcolonial states, particularly in how they inherited and often adapted colonial legal systems, policing methods, and definitions of criminality. The book highlights the continuity, as well as the transformation, of power structures and the challenges faced by new nations in establishing legitimate authority while grappling with the shadow of their colonial past.

Worth discussing

How does the book challenge conventional understandings of 'crime' and 'the criminal'? What implications does this have for contemporary justice systems?