AISSR Lecture Julian Go | Militarized Policing and the Imperial Boomerang

AISSR Lecture Julian Go | Militarized Policing and the Imperial Boomerang

by Julian Go

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Society & Culture JKSSocial welfare, social policy and social servicesJKSW1Police and security services
🎙 Julian Go 👥 5K 📅 October 23, 2025 ⏱ 65 min 👁 833 📄 lecture 🧭 2026-08-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

militarized policingimperial boomerangcolonialityracializationhistorical sociology

Summary

In this AISSR lecture, Julian Go, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago, explores the historical roots of police militarization in Britain and the United States. He argues that the so-called ‘civil police’ has been militarized from its inception, drawing not just from military models but specifically from colonial forms of coercion. Go introduces the concept of the ‘imperial boomerang’ to describe how tools and tactics developed in colonial contexts are brought back to the metropole for domestic policing. He traces this process through key historical moments, starting with the founding of the London Metropolitan Police in 1829, which was modeled on colonial forces in Ireland. He highlights the role of racialization, particularly the perception of Irish migrants as a threat, in driving the adoption of colonial policing methods. Go critiques the term ‘militarization’ as a category error, suggesting that ‘coloniality of policing’ is more accurate. He also discusses the theoretical contributions of thinkers like Foucault, Arendt, Césaire, and Padmore to the boomerang concept. The lecture concludes by emphasizing the need for a historical sociological understanding of the present to grasp the deep imperial and racial logics underlying contemporary policing.

191 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides a compelling and original argument that challenges conventional narratives of police militarization as a recent phenomenon. Go’s use of historical evidence is thorough, and he effectively demonstrates the colonial origins of modern policing. The argument is well-structured, moving from the founding of the London Met to broader theoretical implications. However, the lecture is primarily interpretive and does not engage with potential counterarguments or alternative explanations in depth. The reliance on a limited set of historical examples may leave some questions about generalizability.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

Go demonstrates strong scholarly rigor, drawing on established historians and theorists. He explicitly references Foucault, Arendt, Césaire, and Padmore, and his historical narrative is supported by archival evidence. The title accurately reflects the content, and the lecture stays focused on the stated topic. The sources are credible, though the lecture does not provide a full bibliography, relying on verbal citations. The adéquation between title and content is excellent.

168 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on militarized policing and the imperial boomerang concept.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The lecture is based on extensive historical research and references to established scholars (Foucault, Arendt, Césaire, Padmore). The argument is well-structured and supported by historical evidence, though it is an interpretive thesis rather than a systematic empirical study.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

  • Society Must Be Defended — Michel Foucault's lectures where he alludes to the boomerang effect of colonialism.
  • The Origins of Totalitarianism — Hannah Arendt's work discussing the boomerang effect in relation to colonialism and totalitarianism.
  • Discourse on Colonialism — Aimé Césaire's work where he names the boomerang effect in the context of European colonialism.
  • Colonial Fascism — George Padmore's concept of colonial fascism, which Go references.

Concurring Sources

  • The Origins of Totalitarianism — Arendt's discussion of the boomerang effect aligns with Go's argument.
  • Discourse on Colonialism — Césaire's naming of the boomerang effect supports Go's framework.

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture offers a novel theoretical framework by introducing the concept of the ‘imperial boomerang’ to explain police militarization. This moves beyond traditional analyses that focus solely on military influences, highlighting the colonial and racial dimensions. Go’s historical approach provides a deeper understanding of the continuity of militarization since the 19th century. The lecture also contributes to the literature by emphasizing the role of racialization in bringing colonial policing methods back to the metropole.

Pour aller plus loin :

117 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in information quantity, quality, and reliability, with a slightly lower technical level. This indicates a well-researched and credible lecture that is accessible to a broad academic audience.

Reliability 8/10