Actions across these realms manifest continuity, as identified through the investigation of the State's dual roles of accumulation and legitimation. The fiscal and legitimation crises that develop corollary to State functioning in advanced capitalistic societies are drawn upon to interpret the creation of a new crime problem and "get tough" response across the United States over the 1980s. Different State policy directions are discussed as they have operated for the accumulation of the few at the expense of exacerbated inequality and injustice for all. Conclusions suggest that such developments hold the potential to call forth new challenges and change. 156 notes. (Author abstract)