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Elite Deviance
The only book in this area that takes a holistic view, Elite Deviance traces the causes of elite deviance to the structure of power and wealth in the United States. This book includes both criminal and non-criminal elite acts that cause great harm. Unique in its scope, Elite Deviance covers not only corporate crime and political corruption in historical and contemporary context, but also the relationship between the two. Readers will enjoy the many interesting and current examples and case studies that reinforce all major theoretical points in the book. For people interested in criminal justice, social problems, and business ethics.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 24, 2017
No book has been more influential on my path of study or the way I view crime and deviance in America than David R. Simon's Elite Deviance.
Perhaps one of the most interesting notions comes directly from the title: is it elite deviance, rather than elite crime? We have witnessed a systematic restructuring of how we define crime, to the point where certain criminal actions of those in power are now "business as usual." How has this restructuring occurred? Is it continuing? What does this mean for those who aren't part of "elite" society? Simon explores these questions and more.
Elite Deviance is a classic for those interested in the social construction of corporate and state crime, right alongside the work of Domhoff and Gramsci. Despite elite crime accounting for more monetary and physical damage each year, we disproportionately fear street crimes. This is in part due to the aforementioned restructuring of our definitions of crime, but also because while massive, the scope of elite crime is is largely unseen and rarely directly felt, and reading this book will provide fantastic insight as to where to look to find it. Elite Deviance is a great step for any socially conscious reader to become more informed about the structure of the economic, political, and social world around them.
Perhaps one of the most interesting notions comes directly from the title: is it elite deviance, rather than elite crime? We have witnessed a systematic restructuring of how we define crime, to the point where certain criminal actions of those in power are now "business as usual." How has this restructuring occurred? Is it continuing? What does this mean for those who aren't part of "elite" society? Simon explores these questions and more.
Elite Deviance is a classic for those interested in the social construction of corporate and state crime, right alongside the work of Domhoff and Gramsci. Despite elite crime accounting for more monetary and physical damage each year, we disproportionately fear street crimes. This is in part due to the aforementioned restructuring of our definitions of crime, but also because while massive, the scope of elite crime is is largely unseen and rarely directly felt, and reading this book will provide fantastic insight as to where to look to find it. Elite Deviance is a great step for any socially conscious reader to become more informed about the structure of the economic, political, and social world around them.
May 17, 2017
Excellent. I highly recommend this book. Its introduction and definition of the term "elite deviance" alone makes it worthwhile. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg as it exposes who is actually behind the crime that common street thugs commit and serve time for. If not for the systems elite deviants command, control, and maintain to support their elite criminal networks, petty crime would hardly exist. No study of deviance is complete until the role of elite deviant behavior is accounted for. This book is such a great resource for that, I keep it handy as a reference to help me understand the confounding news of corruption in our society jamming our airwaves and hardening our hearts on a moment by moment basis.
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January 19, 2024as a catalog of corporate, civic, or other organizational transgression since WW2, this is very, very solid
the overall argumentation is not so sophisticated, ‘deviance’ is offhandedly defined as actions done without the golden rule in mind, seems kind of watery
the overall argumentation is not so sophisticated, ‘deviance’ is offhandedly defined as actions done without the golden rule in mind, seems kind of watery
August 1, 2019
A must read for everyone interested in our past fifty years, present times, and future.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews