State crime Flashcards
What do Green and Wards define state crime as?
Illegal or deviant activities perpetuated by or with the complicity of state agencies
Includes all forms of crime committed by or on behalf of states and governments in order to further their policies.
. Domestic law
. Social harms and zemiology
. Labelling and societal reaction
. International laws
. Human rights
Eg. grenfell tower fire
How many people were murdered by governments during the 20th century according to Green and Ward?
262 million people.
Why is the state’s role problematic when it comes to crime?
The state defines what is criminal and can conceal crimes, avoid punishment, and undermine public trust.
Why is it difficult to hold powerful democratic states accountable?
Because they have supreme authority within their borders and external bodies like the UN have limited power to intervene.
What are the types of state crime?
Political crimes - corruption and censorship
Crimes by security and police forces - genocide and torture
Economic crimes - violations of health and safety laws
Social and cultural crimes - institutional racism
What are examples of state crime?
War crimes such as the Iraq war 2003
Terror bombing of civilians during the second world war
American bombing of 67 Japanese citifies and atomic bombing go Hiroshima and Nagasaki
What does Batman argue about modernity and an example ?
Modernisation of society can lead to state crime
The holocaust
A division of labour, each person was responsible for small task so no one felt personally responsible
Instrumental rationality, Modern business the goal is profit in the holocaust it was murder, this was rationalised to achieve their goals
Science and technology - use of railways, death camps and industrially produced gas.
The holocaust was the result of. modern rational bureaucratic civilisation.
What does Matza argue about techniques of neutralisation?
States van deny or justify their crime (Cohen)
Denial of victims
Denial of victims
Detail of responsibility
What does condemning the condemners mean?
Discrediting those who criticise the state
What is an example of condemning the condemners?
Israel vs Palestine is antisemitism vs islamophobia and hostility towards Muslims
What does it mean by appeal to higher loyalty?
Self righteous justification that claims to be serving a higher cause
Eg. free world vs national security.
