Wealth and Economic Power as a Cause of Crime and Deviance - Coursework Example

Wealth and Economic Power as a Cause of Crime and Deviance Introduction Deviance is described as any behavior, which departs from what the majority of the whole society or a particular community considers being “normal.” Not all deviance is literally forbidden by law, nor is all deviance criminal (Marc 2004, p. 68 - 74). Deviance can also be as minor as not addressing a figure in authority by his or her proper title of as numerously as killing another human being. On the other hand, crime in the definition is any forbidden act by law. “Fundamentally, the problem of crime and deviance can be traced back to one simple fact; money. Access to wealth and economic power, lies at the heart of all of the problems of crime and deviance” This paper critically analyzes this statement with respect to terrorism with its causes and impacts on the general society. Terrorism can be referred to as the systematic use of terror particular as a means of coercion (Ariel 2000, p. 213 - 251). There are common definitions of terrorism that describe it as the violent acts which have an intention of creating fear (terror), perpetrated for a political, ideological or religious goal, and deliberately disregard or target the safety of noncombatants mostly the civilians. Richard and Slade (2005, p. 47 - 60) defined terrorism as a political action against a state as well as its citizens pursuing its goals through intense violence, often on a mass or spectacular scale, and that is criminalized generally through proscription, exclusion and legislation. Marc (2004, p. 68 - 74) argued that terrorism has been perpetrated highly by the wealthy nations thus linking the act to fight for power and more wealth as well as prestige. With violent political conflict having a history since the evolution of human species, wealth and power have been engulfing the practice as chief perpetrators (Ariel 2000, p. 213 - 251). Terrorism is known to be practiced by social bandits who engage in a range of criminal activities thus supporting their own political aims, and own political strategy with significant tactics labeled as criminal by the country’s, which they attack (Stephan 1994, p. 82 - 91). The level of terrorism has been subject to the economic wealth and power of a particular group in ensuring that they pursue their mission. Terrorist group for instance equip themselves with a wealth in financing their attacks over other countries (Ishmael 2008, p. 128 - 143). The groups are financed heavily reason being they have to use substantial resources in successfully carrying out their activities. (Ivan 2002, p. 549 - 563) Looks into Hijacking of ships and submarines for instance as the need for more wealth in this context supporting the hypothesis that wealth and power are the principal perpetrators of terrorism, which is a form of international crime. Richard and Slade (2005, p. 47 - 60) support him with a point that terrorism has long being linked to a sense of grievance or a spirit of wrong-doing and a desire to secure justice and vengeance, which are perpetrated by particular groups. The hijacking of ships and marine vessels is purely with intent of gaining supremacy or the wealth and undermining the opponents normally referred to as ‘enemies.’ In answering the question, why do people participate in criminal acts or act defiantly many researchers focus majorly on personal choice as a driving force to the same (Ivan 2002, p. 549 - 563). An understanding of personal choice in this case is commonly based in a notion of rational choice or rationality (Robert 2006, p. 8 - 13). These conceptions are deeply rooted in the human behavior analysis developed by the classical theorists in the early decades. The central points of the espoused theory of rational choice support the hypothesis that, fundamentally, the problem of crime and deviance can be traced back to one absolute fact, money (Marc 2004, p. 68 - 74). The theory understands human being acts as rational. Ariel (2000, p. 213 - 251) looked at this assertion and Co joined it with research arguing that most terrorist groups decide to engage in the terrorist act with one of the driving force being the financial stability that drives them to pursue their goal of revenge against who they term as their enemies. Donna (2005, p. 51 – 68) was quick to give an example of the al-Qaida terrorist group in his research arguing that it is a potent networked financed heavily by individuals with a zeal to fight America and its allies and rule the world. On this basis, the group acts rationally since it is a choice they make on their own and nothing close to coercion (Edwin & Stuart 1993, p. 93 - 97). The theory of rational behavior also asserts that rationality involves a calculation of the end/means with people freely choosing their behavior, both deviant and conforming, based on their calculations. Richard and Slade (2005, p. 47 - 60) add that the central element of the rational calculation includes a cost benefit analysis that includes pleasure versus Pain, and in this case inputs the concept of wealth and power (Ivan 2002, p. 549 - 563). Terrorists’ groups work out calculations as to what they gain in their mission, and this is a fantastic motivator (Robert 2006, p. 8 - 13). It is from the calculations and analysis that they will gain power and prestige from attacking and defeating their enemies that they are motivated into planning on how to act (Ariel 2000, p. 213 - 251). Individual choice for instance the suicide bombers in the terrorists attacks might be perceived as coercion, but in reality, there are perceived gains that individuals lean on and justify their actions (Mark 2010). Though they have the image that they die out of suicide bombing, they are proud to leave treasures and considerable wealth to their families and perceive a better after life (Edwin & Stuart 1993, p. 93 - 97). Conflict Theory is a veritable, convincing point and a supporter of the hypothesis that Access to wealth and economic power, lies at the heart of all of the problems of crime and deviance in the aspect of terrorism practice (Richard & Slade 2005, p. 47 - 60). The theory points out that, ideal inequalities of power and wealth are what mainly lead people to criminal acts in this case a superb example being terrorism (Robert 2006, p. 8 - 13). On the first note, the capitalist system is viewed as punishing any threats or infractions to the functioning of the economic system itself (Ariel 2000, p. 213 - 251). Conflict Theory in this case seconds that capitalism generates selfishness and greed because it creates some inequalities that perpetrate the perceptions of discrimination. With a closer look at the al-Qaida, they are a firm group that attack regions or other groups with general perceptions of fighting the ‘inequalities.’ In this case, materialistic behaviors are evident as the groups go for treasures and fight to redeem what they perceive as theirs (Mark 2010). On the same note, the terrorist’s acts are geared towards overpowering a particularly group (Ishmael 2008, p. 128 - 143) for instance al-Qaida fighting for supremacy over United States. The terrorist’s slogans target messages of overpowering the oppressors and ruling the world. From the capitalist Theory perspective, stipulations are that there are scarce resources that parties compete for and thus deriving criminal acts. The theory, therefore, brings into light that the powerful and the rich get and use more of the scarce resources as well as the fair share, to the expense of the disadvantaged others (Donna 2005, p. 51 – 68). In this perspective, the disadvantaged collaborate and form groups that fight against the unfair treatment. Looking into this argument, terrorism applies tremendously as the case with Al-Shabaab of Somali. The group’s history is deep rooted in individuals rivaling against the use of the scarce resources, and they grow to be volatile and established terrorist groups. The group has grown strong over the years and as of summer 2010 it is said to have controlled most of the central and southern parts of Somalia. The issue of wealth and power hails within as its mission is to rule over the “large swath’ of Mogadishu, the capital of the country and other surrounding areas. It is the zeal to have power over the extensive areas that drives the terrorists to practice extreme crimes including attacking other regions and claiming responsibility just to keep the name high and develop the power in perception of the group (Ishmael 2008, p. 128 - 143). Ariel (2000, p. 213 - 251) was also of the idea that counter-terrorism is subject to reiteration that comes up as a result of quest for supremacy in power. Groups that go for counter-terrorism aim at proving a point that they are the powerful, as opposed to the image created by the terrorist attacks prior to the reiteration (Donna 2005, p. 51 – 68). On the same note, the counter-terrorism acts by a particular group or country are geared towards redeeming what they refer as ‘theirs’ taken illegally by the terrorists group (Stephan 1994, p. 82 - 91). In the process, they fight back all in the name of redeeming their wealth bridging the arguments that it is is wealth and power that are the main reasons for the persistence of crime and deviance (Steven & Richard 1994, p. 44 - 56). The chain of revenge circles and repeats itself all along which is the reason that Marc (2004, p. 68 - 74) argues that terrorists attacks are here to stay, and they will never cease as long as there is wealth and power to fight for between partisan groups. Richard and Slade (2005, p. 47 - 60) in their works on crime and deviance discussed occupational crimes ideally of the affluent referring them as offences committed by the prosperous and affluent in the course of their legitimate profession. Much is evident in criminal acts of terrorism as the terrorist groups prepare and plan for their crimes within the groups and they use the members of the groups (Pastor 2009, p. 92 - 97). The groups develop their own through training and make them believe that they can rule the world if they fight and defeat the enemy (Marc 2004, p. 68 - 74). A great concept of wealth and power supporting crime and particularly terrorism and counter terrorism is the fact that these groups lobby to recruit the highest number of people (Marcus 1994, p. 194 - 199). The idea is to have the greatest number of members as it adds up and dictates the power of the group. Walker (2008) noted that al-Qaida features as the world’s strongest terrorists groups as they aim at recruiting the highest number of members knowing for sure that this is what generates and develops the power of the group and developing its capacity to fight the ‘enemies (Donna 2005, p. 51 – 68).’ The idea behind terrorist acts and the persistence is merely to keep the world on toes that the al-Qaida group is existent and immensely strong against any other force (Walker 2008). Ariel (2000, p. 213 - 251) sums it all by saying that it is all about grabbing the power share, and the supremacy is the world. Conclusion As cited from many scholarly works “Fundamentally, the problem of crime and deviance can be traced back to one simple fact; money; Access to wealth and economic power, lies at the heart of all of the problems of crime and deviance.” Great examples hail from terrorist groups’ formation and their practices across the globe with al-Qaida and Al-Shabaab featuring as prominent examples of supporting this hypothesis. The concept is that these groups form and thrive in pursuing activities of terrorism in fighting for power and more power. On the same note, the assertion is that the terrorism acts are purposefully because the groups feel discriminated and demand for a share of the wealth of the country. The capitalist Theory and the conflict theory are two leading theories explaining the concept of wealth and power as absolute perpetrators of crime and deviance. They assert that the human kind is materialistic in nature, and goes for what they need particularly what makes them happy and they can go to extremes of committing crime just to satisfy the inner self. 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