White Collar Crime - Assignment Example

Give your definition of white collar crime, making sure that you address the major debates about the term’s scope, meaning, legal standing, and importance in criminology. Don’t focus too much on Friedrich’s different categories of white collar crime – instead, look at what is meant by the overall concept. Introduction: The paper will deal with understanding the definition of white collar crimes. A focus has been set to firstly gain the definition, following which an understanding of the topic will be discussed. Also other aspects like the importance in criminology and the legal standing of this form of crime will also be discussed. Firstly, let us look at the definition as suggested by various authors and experts in the past. Definition of White Collar Crime: Over the years, various criminologist and authors have developed numerous definitions of White collar crimes. However none of the definitions that have been provided can be deemed to be accurate and complete. According to Edwin Sutherland, "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation" (1949). The meaning of the definition and the various elements, scope and activities that are present in these kinds of crime will be discussed in the next section. Meaning of White Collar Crime: There have been numerous disputes and agreements for the actual terms that fit the description of white collar crimes most appropriately. Most of the criminologists have derived that ‘elite deviance’ is one of the best descriptions for a white collar crime. This is mainly because the term places emphasis on the aspects like the power and class. It also highlights a strong distinction between ‘street crime’ and ‘suite crime’, along with highlighting that the white collar crimes do not breach all the forms of criminal law (Grabosky, 2001, p. 179 - 207). However it is also essential to understand that there are several other terms that are used can include words like, business crime, marketplace crime, commercial crime, suite crime, official crime, state crime, state – organized crime, employee crime, invisible crime, computer crimes and many more (Hennessey & Prenzler, 2007, p. 135 - 150). This form of crime is very diverse and can include a very high level and extensive type of harm to the business, mainly because of the fact that the crime is conducted by someone much higher up in the line and someone with the resources enabling them to carry out the crime. The term ‘white collar’ crime is very difficult to be explained precisely simply due to the fact that the process is multifaceted and trying to explain this vast and wide concept in one term is not only difficult but impossible. The scope of a white collar crime is quite vast and the affects of the crime can prove to devastating to a great extent. It is essential to also realize that over the years since Sutherland’s attempt of defining the crime, there have been numerous developments both in terms of commerce as well as technology (Hennessey & Prenzler, 2007, p.135 - 150). This growth has brought about various facilities and positive aspects to the world however it has to a great extent also increased the scope of white collar crimes. In the recent times, the classic old style of crime of embezzlement, bribery, antitrust violations, tax crimes, regulatory violations, conspiracy and perjury, continue to exists however much smaller numbers (Friedrichs, 2007, p. 198-227). The technological developments have made the white collar crimes much more grave at present and evenmoreso much more devastating like, cyber crime, health – care frauds, intellectual property crimes. Importance in Criminology: White collar crimes form a major part of criminology and it has been recognized to be the ‘holy grail’ of criminology. As discussed earlier, white collar crimes have a wide and strong effect. Unlike street crimes where the effect is felt only at that point in time and only by the involved victims, the effects of white collar crimes is relatively much higher and much wider. A white collar crime conducted might seem to be a simple small time crime, however the number of ripples across the organization and also the economy (Grabosky, 2001, p. 179 - 207). The effects of an white collar crime is not just concentrated on one part of the company but is spread across to a great extent. Hence this forms a very important part of criminology and attention must be paid to this to ensure that no further damage is made at the starting point itself. Also this needs to be taken care of to act as a precautionary measure for the safety of investors. Conclusions: In conclusion it can clearly be stated that the white collar crimes play a very big role in the criminology scene and it contributes a great deal to the field. It is also essential to note that in the present economic environment, with so may scams and illegal activities taking place, the need for a higher level of awareness is essential (Friedrichs, 2007, p. 198 - 224). As discussed earlier, the effects and the extent of the white collar crimes is almost impossible to ascertain, hence having complete knowledge of this allows to be cautious and identify a crime to some extent. As a very famous saying goes, - Behind every great fortune is a crime. Hence it is essential to be able to understand along with the street crimes other much more organized crimes like the white collar crime and hence it is extremely important aspect of criminology. Compare and contrast two theories of crime discussed in the readings, as they apply to either corporate occupational or governmental crimes. Does a particular theory better explain this type of crime? Introduction: The report aims at understanding and comparing two theories of crime. The paper will include a detailed explanation of the two theories and will provide how the theory provides better explanation of the crime. In the current times the criminologists use various theories that help provide a framework for the explanation of crimes. It is essential to understand that the theories are a form of formal version of the explanation but these are not necessarily the all inclusive explanation for the topic (Smith, 2002, p. 3- 26). The theories provide for an explanation of the specific events and allow for a better understanding of the crimes. The two explanations that will be taken into account here are Biogenetic Explanation and Psychological Explanation. The Theories: In case of the Biogenetic Explanation the importance of this theory is that the focus is based on that the criminals are different from other normal people including the appearances as well. According to a number of experts criminals have a primitive look and they never seem to be much evolved. It has been noted that for a number of years this has been a major factor in criminality (Friedrichs, 2007, p. 197 - 224). However when it comes to white collar criminality, it has been noticed that the criminals tend to be normal with no difference in the way they look. This is one of the simplest theories used in criminality and here the criminals are judged based on their looks and the human behavior. This however has been argued for a number of years and it is difficult if not almost impossible to be able to judge a white collar criminal based on this theory. As understood earlier, a white collar criminal is one who generally quite high up in the line. Hence if a person has been able to be at these levels, the chances of people suspecting them for criminal behavior are quite low (Smith, 2002, p.3 - 26). Although they might look primitive in their looks, the features and the appearances will not be considered. This theory however has not been proved to have any link with the white collar crime. This form of theory mainly is best suited for the small time crimes and the street crimes in which people tend to get involved. In case of the psychological explanation, there have been several explanation of the how the persons psychology and how people who have been through tensions and conflict and are affected by these. This is quite possible in the case of white collar crimes, as the psychological disorders that the people tend to show is the undying need for popularity and the need to be famous. This brings them to an edge where they need to commit crimes to gain the popularity (Friedrichs, 2007, p. 198 - 224). In comparison both the theories that have been developed cannot be considered to be right and perfect. Both these have a number of loop holes and the two cannot be considered as solid reasons for people to commit crime. They contrast one another to a great extent as they both are completely different approaches and one focuses on the physical appearance while the other focuses on the psychology of the persons (Smith, 2002, p. 3 - 26). Hence these two are extremely different approaches and in one way relate to the white collar crimes however cannot be taken as a strong evidence of the perfect underlying reasons. Conclusions: In conclusion it can be said that the various theories developed over the years for criminology are very vast and each of them in one way or another lacks a number of details that need to be considered. Each of them individually lacks the ability to be based on the crime however together they do form a strong evidence of why people commit the crimes (Friedrichs, 2007). There have been theories like the diffusion theory that have been developed and this theory highlights how the investors are aware of the fraud that spreads via the social networks (Grabosky, 2001, p. 179 - 207). Hence theories like the general theory which is an advancement of Sunderland’s theory of differential association, is one which can be well applied for both the conventional as well as white collar crimes (Smith, 2002, p. 3- 26). This general theory is most appropriate as it takes into account both the natural as well as physical phenomena that can be used to gain the variable realm of human activities. Also this theory provides a chance to explain the variance between conventional and white collar crime as well. This is one of the only theories that can be used for both kinds of crimes as the white collar crimes is generally extremely different from the conventional crimes and the theories for each of these are generally very different with completely different approaches as a whole (Felson, 2002, p. 97). The general theory or any other theory for that matter will never be able to understand the various patterns that are followed especially by the white collar criminals and the reasons for such decisions. Bibliography Felson, M., (2002). Crime and everyday life. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks ; London : Sage Publications. Ch. 7. "White-Collar crime". pp. 93-104. Friedrichs, D.O., (2007). Trusted Criminals: White Collar Crime In Contemporary Society - 3rd edition. P. 1 – 30 & p. 198 - 224 Grabosky, P.et.al., (2001). Electronic Theft, Oakleigh Vic, Cambridge Cambridge University Press, Ch.11, The Limits of the Law in Controlling Electronic Theft, p.179 – 207 Hennessey, H & Prenzler, T, (2007). An introduction to crime Frenchs Forest. N.S.W.: PearsonIPrentice Hall Ch. 8. Ransley.Janet & Prenzler.Tim. "White-collar crime". P. 135 – 150 Smith, R.G., (2002). Crime in the Professions: An Introdcution. Chapter 1, p. 3 – 26, Ashgate Read More