Politicization of the problem of (in) security at the subnational level. An analysis of crime prevention strategies beyond punishment in Neuquén (2004-2007)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the state responses to the problem of (in) security and, especially, on crime prevention strategies beyond the penalty developed in the Province of Neuquén between 2004 and 2007. This period coincides with one of the moments of greater intensification of the process of politicization of the question of crime at the national level configured after the kidnapping and murder of Axel Blumberg in March 2004. The social unrest generated as a result of this fact together with the wishes of the then governor of the Jorge Omar Sobisch province, to position itself at the national level as a “tough man” in the face of crime, led to the development and implementation of the Integral Security Plan, strongly linked to neo-liberal and neo-conservative political rationality. In this sense, the objective that guides the present work is to contribute to the understanding of the way in which the politicization of (in) security influences the responses to crime structured at the level of the subnational policy attending to the specific case of the province from Neuquén. Finally, the methodological approach adopted was qualitative, and combines documentary research techniques (records linked to the formulation of the programs and management reports prepared by the implementing teams, legislative session diaries and newspaper articles), with in-depth interviews with the officials and technicians linked to its management.