Introduction: Governing Every Person, Place, and Thing — Critical Studies of Corporate Security

Compared to public policing, private contract security, and national security in criminology, sociology, political science, history, and other disciplines in recent years, corporate security has received little attention. This neglect is surprising not only because corporate security has been operating in various organizations for decades, but furthermore because it is emerging as the primary form of security of the 21st century. This is evident by its ostensibly rapid spread and ambitious, even breath-taking governing aims. As the world is becoming more corporatized, corporate security is becoming more pervasive and powerful than ever before, significantly affecting the lives and property of those in and outside the large organizations in which it flourishes. It may soon be the case that all we will need to know, question, fear, or plan about security will be present in the corporate security realm.