Thinking about the `Underclass':

Abstract

This article critically examines the relevance of behavioural and structural versions of the `underclass' and argues that this distinction should be deepened in order to understand the policing of this population. This task is performed in the context of a society in transition from a Keynesian Welfare State (KWS) to a Schumpeterian Workfare State (SWS). The jobs that are created by the resultant changes in the labour market are not likely to be filled by the `underclass' who will be doubly disadvantaged by the subordination of social policy to economic policy and crimefighting. Also, as a consequence of neo-liberal-led reforms of the police service the organization no longer has the resources and government support to control and manage the `underclass'.