Can Americans recognize a police state when they see one? Starting with chapters that define and illustrate the concept of "police state," this book shows the fundamental elements of police states and the policies that support them. The remaining chapters spotlight current trends in America that align more with the police state model than with the model of a free society. Topics include public obedience training, disinformation, the "war" rationale for policy change, the federalization of crime and law enforcement, political correctness, government and corporate invasion of privacy, domestic propaganda, and post 9/11 concerns about expansive homeland security programs. Final chapters discuss options for activism and offer reasons for optimism. 549 pages; footnotes; indexed.