When it comes to talking about crime and the different treatment of white-collar and blue-collar crime, there are three different perspectives. The first perspective is the functionalist perspective. The view of functionalism is defined as “Functionalism interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society. Society is more than the sum of its parts; rather, each part of society is functional for the stability of the whole society.” (Crossman, 2014). Essentially, functionalists believe that society is like the Star Wars’ Force, and everything that happens in society works to bring balance to the Force. The second perspective is symbolic interaction. This theory is described as “Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors.” (Crossman, 2015). Basically, these types of people believe that society is constructed on human interpretation. Finally, the third type of perspective is conflict theory. Crossman writes in her article, “Conflict theory states that tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society, and that these conflicts become the engine for social change.” (Crossman, 2016). They believe that when power is unbalanced, it will become controlled by those in higher classes, and dominate those in lower classes through different parts of society. The audience of this paper
By the definition of relative deprivation theory alone I can answer the question with a yes. College educated, high economic status workers can be envies’ of other people just as easy as the next person. They also can feel deprived of something to which they feel entitled to. Maybe the reason they do some of the crimes are different than others but they do the crime just make themselves feel equal or maybe to bring the other person down a level to show them that the person is really not that much better than themselves. I can think of two different types of crimes that a white collar crime could happen. First being that a working has been with a company for many years and fells he has showed them no reason not to give them a raise or
White Collar crime is not a crime unto it self, but instead a criteria that has to be met in order for a crime to be considered as White- Collar Crime; (Blount, 2002) hence the reason why Corporate Crime is also considered as White- Collar Crime. At the same time, White Collar Crime and Corporate Crime can be seen as distinct criminological categories, however, in order to reveal this, this essay will firstly be exploring Sutherland's definition of white collar crime and the perplexity with this definition of white-collar crime. It will then be looking at the modification which had to take place with Sutherland's definition of white-collar crime in order to established a distinction between white-collar and corporate crime.
Why discuss the development of the marketplace? Why is it central to the concept of white-collar crime?
Gender, justification/rationalization, and regulation of crime differ when it comes to street crime and white-collared crime. Females in both of these criminal worlds are treated like if they are less than men, they do not receive the same respect as a man would in this world. Both these criminal worlds have their own justifications of what they do, whether it is a justification of hurting someone or the justification of firing someone in the workforce. Then when it comes to regulation of crime the street criminals tend to end up in jail for a long time and carry the stigma of a criminal where the white collar criminals might go to jail for a little bit and then come out and make lots of
White-collar crimes are just as prevalent today as ordinary street crimes. Studies show that criminal acts committed by white-collar criminals continue to increase due to unforeseen opportunities presented in the corporate world, but these crimes are often overlooked or minimally publicized in reference to criminal acts on the street. Many street crimes are viewed as unnecessary, horrendous crimes because they are committed by lower class citizens, whereas white collar crimes are illegal acts committed by seemingly respectable people whose occupational roles are considered successful and often admired by many (Piquero, 2014). These views often allow white collar crimes to “slip through the cracks” and carry lesser charges or punishment.
Most everyone goes home after a long day of work and watches the news. Think, what is usually reported? The weather, local activities, headline news, or daily criminal activity. Shootings, stabbings, homicides, etc. are all discussed by media anchors these days. This causes most everyone in our society to become familiar with crimes that are considered street crimes. What most people don’t hear about on the news is what is considered white-collar crime, sometimes known as corporate crime. White-collar crime not only is less reported in the media but also receives weaker punishments than street crime. This paper will first discuss the similarities between the two types of crime and then explain why their punishments are strongly
Victims can be an individual, a group of individuals, (such as customers of a bank), or an organization and any of them may experience astronomical financial losses (Hayes & Prenzler, 2009). Some of the most notorious examples of the harmful effect of white-collar crime is the collapse of the US company Enron, with losses of over USD$50 billion (Friedrichs, 2004) and in Australia, the collapse of insurer HIH Insurance with losses of over A$4 billion (HIH Royal Commission, 2003. cited in Hayes & Prenzler, 2009). Research indicates that crimes of this magnitude play a vital role in causing or contributing
An aspect of crime that has made me think is the white collar versus street crime dynamic. Street crime is any criminal offense that typically takes place or originates in a public place. Street crime includes assault, sexual assault, homicide, robbery, and drug trafficking. In contrast, white-collar crime is non-violent crime committed by business or government professionals for financial gain. White-collar crime includes lying, cheating, stealing, fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and tax evasion. Street crime is public and is reported to the public, but white-collar crime is often done behind closed doors and is rarely discussed. Street crime usually involves spontaneous physical harm and violence, but white-collar crime involves premeditated manipulation.
The rich engage in white-collar crimes, whereas the poor engage in more armed robbery type of crimes. Both are equally harmful to society. White-collar crimes are not as easily identified as street crimes. Also, white-collar crime perpetrators can use their power and influence to avoid prosecution. Street crimes, which are often committed by lower class, do not have power to influence and avoid prosecution. In addition, the privileged can often afford expensive lawyers and are sometimes on a first-name basis with the individuals in charge of making and enforcing laws, which gives them an advantage. Members of the lower class generally do not have these advantages. Conflict theory also states that the individuals we generally label as irregular are also quite powerless. For example, if we think about the powerless that have no means of financial stability often engage in criminal activity to survive. This activity according to law, which is made by the upper privileged, is considered wrong and requires punishment. Such activity can include prostitution. Prostitution is illegal and the criminal is sentenced to jail, which minimizes their opportunity to progress in society. They now have several sentenced accounts, which makes it harder fro them to fin a good job in the future,
“Blue collar and violent crimes have such a strong presence in the media and everyday life, but so little economic effect, a greater focus needs to be on what is causing more destruction to the economy: White Collar Crime.” (Graham 8) In today’s society, however this practice not only occurs in the United States, but in several developed and developing countries around the world. White and blue collar crime are universally classified as the same offenses, however different countries have varying understanding and approaches towards white and blue collar crime; which can have an effect on whether the media encourage or discourage white and blue collar crime, as well as how white and blue collar crime techniques have evolved with technology
In 1939, American sociologist Edwin Sutherland introduced the phrase “white-collar crime”. White-collar crime is a nonviolent crime committed by a business or large corporations. They are usually scams or frauds to gain wealth in society. The people who are guilty of this crime lie, cheat and steal from investors of their company or business. Even though these crimes are non-violent, they have major impacts on the society. Their companies become non existent and families get destroyed. All of their life savings and savings for their children get taken away, and they become bankrupt. Not only does it affect their families, the investors who believed in their business lose millions or even billions of dollars.
Welcome to the age of white collar crime. A time when the words thieves and businessmen go hand in hand. White collar criminals don't get their hands dirty in their work. They use their heads to get what they want instead of using a little muscle. These criminals are just as dangerous as the rapists and murderers. In these times, even the most seemingly respectable people are suspected of white collar crimes. President Clinton and the first lady Hillary Clinton have been tangled up in the Whitewater and Travelgate business ventures. Although the two have not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, there is a committee currently investigating their dealings and charges are not out of the question for either of them. In Michael Isikoff's
In this day and age, a corporation, family, or individual always has a potential risk of encountering fraud within their money supply. On average, fraud and abuse costs U.S. organizations more than $400 billion annually (Federal Bureau Investigation, 2010). Many may think that white collared crime is only money laundering or stealing, but that is only two out of the sum that countless culprits get away with. The term “white-collar crime,” originally coined in 1939 is synonymous with the full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals (Federal Bureau Investigation, 2010). These frauds include anything from bankruptcy fraud, money laundering, identity theft, corporate fraud to a wide number of threats all circling
White-Collar Crime consists of occupational crime and corporate crime. Occupational crime refers to offences committed against legitimate institutions businesses or government by those with "respectable" social status. It includes the embezzlement of corporate funds, tax evasion, computer crime and expense-account fraud. It is not every day that we hear about white-collar crimes but these non-violent crimes are on the rise to the top. Federal Bureau of Investigation states that USA, for example recorded white collar crimes amounting $300 billion every year (Cornell University, 2010). White-collar crime is relatively a new idea. It has many aspects that are practical for study and further interpretation to clear some of its dark areas. White-Collar Crime was once introduced by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 during his speech in American Sociological Society. The following crimes actually performed are Bribery, Extortion, Insurance, Fraud, Embezzlement, Cybercrime etc. People who participate in these criminal activities are highly powerful and respectful among the society. The following activities include description about White-collar Crime, Investigation of White Collar Crime and The Consequences of committing a White-collar Crime.
Quinney (1964), “Because the validity of white collar crime as a form of crime has been a subject of severe controversy, the question of conceptual clarity has largely been ignored. Today, as a result, the meaning of the concept is not always clear” (p208).