White collar crime Flashcards
Sutherland defined white collar crime as…
“Crimes committed by persons of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation” Bu this is useful because it challenges our view of crime and suggests that its not just confined to working class. But it is still to narrow.
Other white collar crimes
Occupational- Crimes committed but a professional in the course of their occupation. MPs expenses.
Corporate crime
Crimes committed by companies usually in order to make more profit. e.g. Bhopal
Crimes of state
Such as genocide and warcrimes.
Little attention has been payed to white collar crime.
Differences in Power: ensure laws reflect their interests
Media: Rarely considered news worthy “scandal” not crime.
Policing: Controlled through regulations not police.
Lack of research: BCS look at general not corporate.
Conklin
Compared the economic impact of crimes and found regular crimes costs 4 billion and white collar costs 40 billion. Marxist argue poorer areas are policed more.
Carlson
Found it wasn’t just economic the piper alpha oil rig disaster 168 died due to lack of health and safety concerns.
Gross (personality based explanation)
Found successful business people share similar traits such as self interest, motivated about money, and ruthless.
Differential association
socialisation, so they live in an area where they saw people getting away crimes.
Subcultural values
Criminal practices become normal because it becomes easier.
Ditton and Mars
Found many employees though it was a perk of the job to steal from the work places. It may be seen as ok because theres not direct victim.
Marxist
Would say that WCC is ignored more policing in poorer areas and argue that the ruling class manipulate the CJS in the benefit of themselves.
