(1200)Part I: Summary of White Collar Crime: The Uncut Version by Edwin H. Sutherland et al (1983)
This book summary will define the various aspects of “white collar” that are presented in White Collar Crime by Edwin Sutherland et al (1983). Sutherland et al’s (1985) book presents a theoretical and analytical approach to the study of white-collar crime, which is divided into six parts. Overall, the book represents sixteen chapters that define this criminological phenomenon with in-depth evaluations of these crimes. In Part I, Sutherland et al (1983) define the complex array of different rimes that are committed in corporate American culture that take place at the American Sociological Society in 1939. Sutherland is presented as a speaker
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These crimes involve embezzlement, theft of salaries and bonuses, and other aspects of financial misconduct that are often rejected from the court system (Sutherland et al, 1983, p.162-163). In addition to the massive power of large corporate entities, the issue of committing war crimes in Chapter 11, also illustrates the unenforced and unmitigated power of American companies involved in transnational corporate activities. These actions can include bribing foreign militaries or goon squads to take control of resources, which define a problem of corporate power in the American legal system regarding criminal charges of this kind. In this respect, Sutherland et al (1983) winds down Part II by exposing the problem of miscellaneous violations of laws in Chapter 12, which also suggest that the courts are not prosecuting corporations. These findings suggest that a small percentage of white-collar crimes are not being prosecuted or presented before the …show more content…
Sutherland et al (1983) analyzed the potential for making private power and electric corporations into state regulated institutions. In this way, 15 power and light organizations were analyzed in order to expose the problem of privatized profiteering by corporate individuals that overcharged for electricity. This defines one aspect of state regulation that would control problems like this by taking direct control from private enterprises in this regulatory business models. More so, in Part IV, Sutherland et al (183) define the “interpretation” of white-collar crime as a form of “organized crime” (Chapter 14) in the mode of a mafia or monopoly system. This theory is also reinforced by Sutherland et al’s (1983) analysis of white collar crime in Chapter 15 refers to the theory of Differential Association as the foundation of criminal
ccording to Conklin (2013), white-collar crime is an unlawful act that is occurs during a legitimate occupation or venture by a corporation or an otherwise reputable person of great social prominence that is punishable by a criminal sanction. In the example of Wayne Baker and Robert Faulkner’s (1993) analysis of three price-fixing conspiracies, white-collar criminals will at times create arrangements within or across formal organizations for purposes of effectively executing an unlawful act. For example, insider trading occurs when someone within an organization utilizes nonpublic information for gain for individual or organization gain, and is difficult to police attributable to the complexity of inter-organizational networks (Conklin, 2013).
Edwin H. Sutherland is given credit for introducing the term white collar crime during the late 1930’s. However, in today’s times there is still confusion on the specific definition of what qualifies as a white collar crime and how it should be defined. In addition, there are key differences between conventional crimes and white collar crime in age, race, class, and other various factors. The media has added to these differences by portraying these two crimes quite differently. In regards to Sutherland, I found his study on 70 of the largest U.S. manufacturing, mining, and mercantile corporations and their wrongdoings. Sutherlands study confirmed that 97 percent of these corporations were criminal recidivists. Yet, in these corporations view
White collar crime is notorious for being difficult to regulate against and even harder to investigate and prosecute, in comparison to more traditional street crime (Friedrichs, 2010). The enforcement and prosecution rates of white collar crimes are lower than that of street crime; white collar crimes are also less likely to be reported (Friedrichs, 2010). The complexity and breadth of white collar crime cases can be crippling to law enforcement and may work to stop enforcement entirely (Friedrichs, 2010). In the Schlegel & Weisburd text (1992), the authors note that, unlike street crimes, many white collar crimes require lengthy investigation before determining if a crime has actually occurred, much less deciding if there is enough evidence
White-collar crime poses a vexing problem for the criminal justice system (CJS). It is an
White Collar Crime by Edwin Sutherland, published in 1949, is a study in the theory of criminal behaviour. Sutherland states that this book is an attempt to reform the theory of criminal behaviour only, not to reform anything else. And although it may include implications for social reforms, this is not the objective of the book. Sutherland define white collar crime as ‘a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation’ (pp. 9). He adds that it excludes many crimes of the upper class, such as murder, intoxication, and adultery, because these are not usually part of their occupational procedures. He goes on to describe white collar crime as being similar to juvenile delinquency in the sense of the stigma generated from each crime. In both of these crimes the procedures of criminal law are altered so as not to attach stigma to the offenders. Finally, Sutherland writes that crimes are committed across all social classes, not just people in lower classes or living in poverty, contrary to popular belief at the time of publication.
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.
In this paper the exciting criminal phenomenon known as white-collar crime will be discussed. Corporate Crime and Computer Crime will be discussed in detail. Crime preventative agencies such as the NCPC (National Crime Prevention Council) will also be researched. White Collar Crime The late Professor Edwin Sutherland coined the term white-collar crime about 1941. Sutherland defined white-collar crime as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation" (Siegel 337) White-collar crime includes, by way of example, such acts as promulgating false or misleading advertising, illegal exploitation of employees, mislabeling of goods, violation of weights and measures statutes, conspiring to
In a looking glass of a sociologist, we can see white collar crime in our everyday world. When it presents itself; the victims are left hurt and the rest in awe of their awful actions. White Collar Crime is defined as “White collar crime overlaps with corporate crime because the opportunity for fraud, bribery, insider trading, embezzlement, computer crime, and forgery is more available to white-collar employees.” stated by James Henslin. White Collar Crime can be seen in the Libor Scandal, as a prime example.
In this paper the exciting criminal phenomenon known as white-collar crime will be discussed. Corporate Crime and Computer Crime will be discussed in detail. Crime preventative agencies such as the NCPC (National Crime Prevention Council) will also be researched. White Collar Crime The late Professor Edwin Sutherland coined the term white-collar crime about 1941. Sutherland defined white-collar crime as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation" (Siegel 337) White-collar crime includes, by way of example, such acts as promulgating false or misleading advertising, illegal exploitation of employees, mislabeling of goods, violation of weights and measures statutes, conspiring to
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
This essay discusses Sutherland’s concept of white collar crime in the light of whether it is still appropriate in the 21st century. It is worth noting that white collar crime is often perceived as a less serious crime in the society. This is based on several reasons including the fact that the crime receives less media coverage. This incomprehensive media coverage of white collar crime may be attributed to the complex nature of the crime, which makes many incidences go unreported. In other words, it is often difficult to pin point one person as the perpetrator of the crime as it would happen with the case of robbery, knife crime, or drug trafficking. However, white crime remains a serious crime and one that can have serious negative
In the twentieth century, White Collar and Organized Crimes have attracted the attention of the U.S. Criminal Justice System due to the greater cost to society than most normal street crime. Even with the new attention by the Criminal Justice System, both are still pretty unknown to the general public. Although we know it occurs, due to the lack of coverage and information, society does not realize the extent of these crimes or the impact. White Collar and Organized is generally crime committed by someone that is considered respectable and has a high social status. The crimes committed usually consist of fraud, insider trading, bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft or forgery. One
White collar crime is a serious issue in the United States. White-collar crime is “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation” (cornell.edu). Examples of such offenses include bribery, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, bank fraud, blackmail, extortion, forgery, securities fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, repair scams, Ponzi and pyramid schemes. These non-violent crimes are responsible for an estimated $250 billion to $1 trillion in economic damages each year (Martinez). Individuals who commit white collar crimes have an increased likelihood to experience injustice compared to those who commit a street crime as noted in multiple studies detailed in various scholarly articles. Also, street criminals have a greater chance of getting caught in their wrongdoings versus white-collar criminals. Those who commit white collar crime make their decisions based on the philosophy or idea that their actions have low risk and a high reward. We face a dilemma in the United States because white-collar criminals are treated with minimal, inequitable punishment due to their social status, whereas the street criminals are treated with the correct, impartial punishment.
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.
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