Surveillance as a culture of vigilance: the case of Napoleonic Italy

In Napoleonic Italy, surveillance was not solely state-driven but also involved local communities through the 'capi contrada,' individuals who became primary sources of information for urban law enforcement. This collaboration, while tied to self-interest, revealed a culture of vigilance that coexisted alongside traditional surveillance paradigms. The study, based on the case of Vicenza and other cities in the Kingdom of Italy, challenges the notion that state-driven surveillance was the sole method, demonstrating its inter-hierarchical nature and broader societal implications.

Poggi, S. (2022). Surveillance as a culture of vigilance: the case of Napoleonic Italy. Società E Storia, (177), 569–581. https://doi.org/10.3280/ss2022-177007