State Crime

Question 1

overview

Answer 1

Like corporate crime, state crime is another example of the crimes of the powerful. Marxists like Chambliss (1989) argue that sociologists should investigate ‘state-organised crime’ as well as crimes of capitalism. The vast resources of some states make it possible for them to commit crime on a much bigger scale than is possible for individuals. States usually have more ability than other institutions to use violence & force because of their control over the police & military. States also define what is legal & illegal within their own jurisdiction & run the legal & criminal justice systems.

Green & Ward (2005) define state crime as ‘illegal or deviant activities perpetrated by, or with the complicity of, agencies’ & point out that they can often maintain secrecy over their actions. It includes all forms of crime committed by or on behalf of states & governments in order to further their policies. State crimes can include genocide, war crimes, torture, imprisonment without trial & assassination. A calculation by Rummel (2012) estimated that 262 million people were killed by various forms of state
action in the 20th century.

Question 2

4 categories of state crime

Answer 2

1. Political crimes, such as rigging elections or appointing officials corruptly.
2. Crimes by security & police forces, such as torture, illegal detention & using unjustified violence against demonstrators.
3. Economic crimes, such as failing to pay state employees the minimum wage or
   breaking health & safety regulations in state-run enterprises.
4. Social & cultural crimes, such as mistreatment of minority ethnic groups.