Problem
Political police
Other Names:
Thought police Nature:
Under totalitarian regimes, thought police may be created to monitor publications and other expressions of opinion. Censorship and suspension of publishing, broadcasting, printing and even photocopying becomes common. Political figures, editors, writers and other dissenters may be arrested, sent to internal exile or even murdered. Political police, under whatever name, are the counterparts to political prisoners. They are the agents of brutal regimes whose vague directives against 'enemies of the state' encourage excessive and criminal mistreatment of those whose fault is to desire freedom of thought and expression.
Incidence:
Political policing has existed within the national security police forces of revolutionary France, Czarist Russia, the Third Reich, communist east European countries, imperial Iran, militarily-led modern Greece, and under a number of dictatorships in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Broader Problems:
Political repression Narrower Problems:
Maintenance of political dossiers on individuals Related Problems:
VigilantismSecret policePolice intimidationUnauthorized police searchUnethical practices by police forcesUnrestrained use of force in administration of justice Subject(s):
Defence → PoliceGovernment → Political
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST