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NO EXCUSE FOR CRIME

NCJ Number
48545
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 423 Dated: (JANUARY 1976) Pages: 133-141
Author(s)
E VAN DENHAAG
Date Published
1976
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THEORIES THAT A DEPRIVED SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITION STIMULATED OR CAUSED BY A RACIST CAPITALIST SOCIETY INEVITABLY PRODUCES CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN BLACKS ARE ASSESSED, AND AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
SOME CRIMINOLOGISTS REGARD OFFENDERS AS VICTIMS OF CONDITIONS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL WHICH PRODUCE A 'CAUSE AND EFFECT' RELATIONSHIP THAT SPAWNS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THE THEORY THAT LABELS SUCH OFFENDERS AS 'POLITICAL PRISONERS' (S.I. SHUMAN) IS CONSIDERED FLAWED, BECAUSE THE AUTHOR DEFINES A POLITICAL CRIMINAL AS ONE WHO BREAKS THE LAW IN ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE THE SOCIOPOLITICAL SYSTEM. IT IS FURTHER ARGUED THAT SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS DO NOT HAVE THE CHARACTERIZED DIRECT INFLUENCE UPON BEHAVIOR AS SUGGESTED BY CERTAIN THEORISTS. SHUMAN'S IDEA THAT THE POOR SHOULD BE EXCUSED FOR DEVIANT BEHAVIOR BECAUSE OF THEIR DEPRIVED LIVING CONDITIONS WHILE THE WEALTHY AND POWERFUL SHOULD BE PUNISHED LACKS SCIENTIFIC CONSISTENCY. THE VIEW THAT CAPITALISM IS THE CAUSE AND SOCIALISM THE CURE FOR CRIME (RICHARD QUINNEY) IGNORES THE BASIC PATTERNS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND GOVERNMENT BY LAW THAT PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND FOR CRIME IN ANY SOCIETY, REGARDLESS OF ITS SOCIOPOLITICAL STRUCTURE. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE CRIME RATES MAY WELL BE EXPLAINED BY ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES; HOWEVER, THE EXISTENCE OF DIVERGENT BEHAVIOR IN INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE APPARENTLY UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS IS BELIEVED TO REVEAL A MUCH MORE COMPLEX INTERACTION BETWEEN A PERSON AND HIS OR HER ENVIRONMENT. PRIORITIES FOR CHANGE MUST BE SET AFTER HAVING IDENTIFIED THE SPECIFIC INFLUENCES THAT EITHER STIMULATE OR DETER CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, WHETHER THESE INFLUENCES DERIVE FROM SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS OR THE IMPACT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)

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