Title

A Critique of Using Civil Litigation to Suppress White Supremacist Violence

Abstract

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has employed a litigation strategy to dismantle White supremacist organizations and reduce racist violence. Like all social control strategies, lawsuits brought against these organizations can create unintended consequences that undermine intended goals. This article explores the assumptions underlying the litigation strategy and presents several arguments that question the utility of this approach. Utilizing theory and research from a variety of academic disciplines, both perceptual and organizational consequences of litigation are addressed, with an emphasis on potential violent outcomes. In particular, the article explores how civil lawsuits against White supremacists might influence organizational form and structure, and the effect on leadership in the movement is examined. The impact of litigation on feelings of injustice and the strength of collective identity is also investigated. In addition, potential impediments posed to the lawsuit strategy by the Internet and modern technology are explore

Department(s)

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/0734016811417855

Keywords

legal issues, courts/law, terrorism/homeland security, law enforcement/security, crime in complex organizations, criminal victimization, violent behavior

Publication Date

2011

Journal Title

Criminal Justice Review

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