Castles of our Conscience - Social Control and the American State 1800-1985

This book presents a new and distinctive analysis of the role of the modern state in the shaping of policies of social control. The author provides a theoretical understanding of the mechanisms of state policy making. Using this framework he offers an interpretation of the changing nature of the institutions of social control in the United States, from the opening of the 19th century to the present day. A distinctive feature of the author’s approach is his critique of existing theories of the state. Developing a sophisticated account of the relation of the state and civil society, he offers a history of social control policies in the United States which combines analysis with historical narrative.