Police/military convergence in the USA as organisational mimicry

Abstract

This paper examines the developing convergence between the police and the military, two institutions American society has traditionally separated to safeguard civil liberty. The analysis results in three main conclusions. First, when viewed in a broader sociopolitical context, the current convergence is less singular than it appears, with such overlaps occurring periodically in the past. Second, organisational mimicry offers a conceptual framework for understanding the current convergence. Third, the convergence remains a significant political development, requiring further organisational and social assessment. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of a potential alternative to the convergence.

Keywords:

• police/military convergence
• organisational mimicry