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SOME ASPECTS OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME

NCJ Number
65369
Journal
DAR ES SALAAM UNIVERSITY LAW JOURNAL Volume: 6 Dated: (APRIL 1977) Pages: 61-70
Author(s)
L P SHAIDI
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
WHITE-COLLAR CRIME IS EXAMINED WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TANZANIA AND IS DEFINED AS OFFENSES COMMITTED IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR BY PEOPLE ACTING IN THEIR OFFICIAL OR OCCUPATIONAL ROLES.
Abstract
LARGE-SCALE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN TANZANIA ARE VESTED IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS. DUE TO THE RESULTING LIMITATION OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, THERE IS LITTLE ROOM LEFT FOR EXTENSIVE ECONOMIC CRIME. UNLIKE PREVIOUS LITERATURE ON THE SUBJECT, THIS REPORT EXTENDS THE CONCEPT OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME TO INCLUDE MISUSE OF AUTHORITY AND PROFESSIONAL BENEFITS SUCH AS PERSONAL USE OF OFFICIAL CARS OR BIASED PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. THE FINANCIAL COST OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES TO THE GOVERNMENT FAR EXCEEDS THAT OF ALL OTHER TYPES OF CRIMES COMBINED, A COST PARTICULARLY DAMAGING TO THE ECONOMY OF A POOR COUNTRY. MOREOVER, SINCE ALL FORMS OF OFFICIAL CORRUPTION FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY, WHITE-COLLAR OFFENDERS GO UNPUNISHED BECAUSE OF THEIR SOCIAL STATUS, INTELLIGENCE, CRIMINAL TECHNIQUE, AND THE CLASS BIAS OF THE COURTS. INSTEAD OF BEING TAKEN TO COURT, SUCH OFFENDERS ARE FREQUENTLY PUNISHED BY ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS LICENSE WITHDRAWALS, DISMISSALS, OR TRANSFERS. IN SEARCHING FOR THE CAUSES OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, CAUSAL THEORIES OF CRIMINALITY IN GENERAL ARE REVIEWED, STARTING WITH THESE REFERRING TO PRIMITIVE SOCIETIES AND FEUDALISM, AND ENDING WITH THOSE THAT INVOLVE CAPITALIST, SOCIETIES. EXPLOITATION OF ONE CLASS BY ANOTHER IS VIEWED AS BEING AT THE ROOT OF ALL CRIME, INCLUDING THE WHITE-COLLAR VARIETY. THIS IS A PERFECTLY RATIONAL RESPONSE TO THE CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIVE ECONOMY AND INEQUALITY FOSTERED IN CAPITALISM. THE CLASS NATURE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS OBSCURED BY CAUSAL THEORIES OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME WHICH BLAME URBANIZATION OR DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION. ACCEPTANCE OF THE INCREASE OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME ALONG WITH SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE ONLY IN CAPITALISTIC SOCIETIES. IN SOCIETIES GEARED TO ERADICATING CLASS DIFFERENCES AND HAVING STATE CONTROL OF MAJOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW SUCH CRIME COULD BE ON THE INCREASE. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)