Political ideology, racism, and American identity: an examination of white Americans’ support for the police use of excessive force

Thesis

Under what conditions do white Americans support police violence? And what are the terms by which they do so?

This thesis explores how those who evince the strongest support for police, namely white Americans, “experience” incidents of excessive force, and examines the ideological mechanisms by which they make appraisals about policing. Across two online surveys of white American adults, varying the racial identity (white/black) of a police officer and suspect in a fictional scena...

Expand abstract

Authors: Milani, J

• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: social psychology; American politics; police violence; political ideology; racism
• Subjects: American Politics; Social Psychology; Criminology