Introduction to Surveillance Studies

Surveillance can be a potent tool for protecting resources and assets. It can also be extremely invasive, calling into question our basic rights to freedom and privacy. This volume explores technological trends, past- and present-day rationales for surveillance and surveillance devices, and current social issues surrounding them. It begins with a historical perspective on the evolution of surveillance technologies, then charts the development of modern-day devices. Enhanced with numerous photos, the book presents the pros and cons¿and some of the controversy¿of these increasingly sophisticated technologies, their collective impact, and what the future may hold.