Vigilante Justice in Society and Popular Culture offers a transnational investigation of vigilantism and its context across a range of eleven different jurisdictions. Focusing on vigilante justice in popular culture, this unique collection enriches the debate by adding the opportunity for comparison which has been lacking in scholarly literature.

This unique collection explores the complex issue of vigilantism, how it is represented in popular culture, and what is its impact on behavior and the implications for the rule of law. The book is a transnational investigation across a range of eleven different jurisdictions, including accounts of the Anglophone world (Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States), European experiences (Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Portugal), and South American jurisdictions (Argentina and Brazil).

The essays, written by prominent international scholars in law, sociology, criminology, and media studies, present data, historical and recent examples of vigilantism; examine the national Laws and jurisprudence; and focus on the broad theme of vigilante justice in popular culture (literature, films, television).

Vigilante Justice in Society and Popular Culture sheds light on this topic offering a detailed look beyond the Anglophone world. This collection will enrich the debate by adding the opportunity for comparison which has been largely lacking in scholarly debate. As such, it will appeal not only to scholars of law, sociology, criminology, and media studies, but also to all those who are engaged with these topics alike.

Introduction: Vigilantism – an Overview

Peter Robson and Ferdinando Spina

Part I: The Anglophone World

1. American Vigilantism - Popular Justice and Popular Culture

Michael Asimow

2. Vigilantes, the Law and Popular Culture – The British Experience

Peter Robson

3. Vigilante Frontier Communities on Australian Screens: Bushrangers, Bikies, and Bogans

Lili Pâquet

4. Vigilante Justice in Canada

Rebecca Johnson

Part II: European Experiences

5. Vigilante Justice in Germany

Franziska Stürmer

6. Vigilantism – the Greek Approach

Nickos Myrtou and Stamatis Poulakidakos

7. Vigilantes, the Law and Popular Culture – The Italian Experience

Ferdinando Spina

8. The Punishing Hand of Vigilante Justice in Poland

Joanna Osiejewicz

9. Margins Without Justice: Revenge in João Canijo’s Portuguese Cinema

Júlia Garraio

Part III: A South American Perspective

10. “You Said Perpetual!” Approaches to Vigilantism in Argentine Culture

Sebastian Viqueira

11. Vigilante Justice and the Rule of Death: The Existential Threat to the State and Its People in Brazil

Pedro Fortes