Judge Thy Neighbor

Michael Macy, Cornell University:
Research on deviance typically focuses on those who violate prevailing norms. Bergemann turns the camera around: What if the real deviants are the accusers, not the accused? By applying alternative theoretical models to three historical cases, Bergemann identifies the viral strains in epidemics of denunciation, with stunning new insights. This exquisitely crafted study is must reading not only for students of social control but for anyone who wonders if law enforcement should be crowdsourced.

Stathis N. Kalyvas, author of The Logic of Violence in Civil War:
Denunciation is more pervasive than we think, yet remains poorly studied and understood. Using three case studies, Bergemann advances new hypotheses and helps shed light on this intriguing social phenomenon.

Randall Collins, author of The Credential Society: An Historical Sociology of Education and Stratification:
The nastiest feature of living in oppressive regimes is the pressure to denounce other people. But Bergemann shows some surprising patterns. Regimes can be inundated in unreliable information and petty grievances, and some incentives have more costs than others. The history is highly relevant in today’s era of whistle-blowers, snitching, and on-line accusations.