Drawing on existing criminological and related writings, the author derives a series of propositions that form the foundation, at least in a preliminary way, for the "social support paradigm" of the study of crime and control. The overriding contention is that whether social support is delivered through government social programs, communities, social networks, families, interpersonal relations, or criminal justice system agents, it reduces criminal involvement. The author contends that insofar as the social support paradigm proves to be "good criminology" and establishes that nonsupportive policies and conditions are criminogenic, it can provide grounds for creating a more supportive and good society. 192 references and 14 footnotes