Deviance Assessment of Al Capone using Mertons Strain Theory - Research Paper Example

Deviance Assessment of Al Capone using Mertons Strain Theory Introduction Several theories have been advanced toexplain why certain individual commit crimes and the contributions of their surroundings towards their criminal activities. In a bid to alienate crime, it is easier to understand why an individual commits it in the first instance. Theories that have been advanced to explain the behavior of people in relation to crime have attributed criminology to both choices and traits of individuals or the responsibility of the society. Deviance in sociology is the term used to describe behaviors that contradict the norms of the society such as laid out rules and informal norms (Agnew, 2006). When a person deviates from the accepted standards of a society, they are likely to interfere with others and cause disturbance or offence commonly referred to as crime. This paper studies the social strain theory as advanced by Robert Merton with a specific interest to its application with Al Capone’s behavior. In this case, the research relates the behavior or deviance of Al Capone to the social strain or anomie theory. AL Capone is a renowned gangster who existed during the Prohibition era in the 1920s in the United States of America. He played a great role in illegal actions that gave reputation to Chicago as a lawless city. Born in Brooklyn in 1899, Al Capone grew up in rough neighborhood thus transforming to a gangster at a young age. H is well known by the nickname ‘scar face’ due to his facial scars obtained during his working days at the Harvard Inn in Brooklyn as a bartender, where he was attacked after insulting a patron. He is also attributed to being a five point’s gang member who organized crime in the premises where he presided as a bouncer. In the analysis of this paper, we focus on the deviant behavior of Al Capone using the social strain theory and thus try to explain the reasons behind his deviant behavior. Commonly, the gang leader has deviated from the normal societal expectations and teaches through promotion of crimes and even by working in places that reduce human appreciation and morality. The anomie theory is used to explain the deviant, because, it brings out the factors in the community which may have led to his seasoned behavior. In my opinion, the social strain theory can best be used to show the anomalies in the life and upbringing of Al Capone which majorly contributed to him being a gang leader. Literature review This segment explains the historical background of the individuals and also shows how he strayed from the accredited ways in the community. It provides clear information regarding the factors in Al Capone’s life which led to his deviation and ultimate crime. Besides this, the anomie theory is well explained as a social classical theory to show the reasons for conducting criminal activities. Historical Background of Al Capone Famous for his criminal activities, Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was born in Brooklyn of an immigrant family in 1899. His young life was based in a rough neighborhood where he associated with notorious steer gangs. Based on Laurence Bergreen biography ‘Capone’, the son came from a conventional family. The mother often kept to herself and the father was subdued where discipline was concerned. He writes, ‘nothing in the Capone family was inherently disturbed, dishonest or violent’. Soon after the sixth grade, he quit school and became a full and accepted member of the Colosimo mob which engaged in illegal brewing, distilling and the distribution of beer to neighboring cities. Upon the enactment of the Prohibition Amendment which did not allow for the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic products in the US, the gang decided to take advantage of the situation and opportunities that were available with the labor unions and receptive public officials. Having built a fearsome reputation among his subjects, he attained full control over the gang in 1925 after the previous leader got wounded in an assassination attempt and retired to Brooklyn. He struggled to obtain all supplier rights in the whole of Chicago by eliminating all other gangs and taking control of all illegal transactions. He acquired more revenue by violent means where purchasing was a must and the refusal meant that the premises had to be blown. Several people were murdered in the bombings of liquor. He was engaged in female companionship, cigars and costly jewelry. His major responses when asked was, “I am just a businessman, giving the people what they want. All I do is satisfying a public demand”. Through his influence with the law enforcement organs, he seemed prone to prosecution after widespread intimidation and bribery. He formed many alliances and mutually profitable relations with the mayor William Hale Thompson and the city police which meant political protection. He exulted in the cheers that he received upon his appearance in public venues such as in ball games. However, his reign would soon end after St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on February 14, 1929 where seven members of another rival gang were killed in cold blood by people posing as police and this was ascribed to Capone mob. There was a public outcry for justice and influential people in the state demanded for the intervention of the central government. The federal authorities decided to bring him in and filed for tax evasion. The deviance in this case is the criminal activities that Al Capone seems to be involved in. Drug trafficking, prostitution, murder, transportation of arms are among the various activities that the deviant is involved in. this does not translate to proper and accepted behavior in the society. Deviance relates to behavior that violates law and is considered by majority of the society to be improper. In this case actions of alcoholism, gambling, murder, drugs, arms and human trafficking and theft are attributed as deviant. Theory Literature Social strain theory which is also known as Merton’s strain theory was founded by a sociologist named Robert k. Merton. The theory argues that citizens commit crimes due to the pressures on them by social structures. Strain is either individual or structural. Structural refers to all activities which interfere with how citizens perceive the processes taking place in the society while individual refers to the pains and frictions experienced by a person as she or he looks for means of satisfying his or her desires. These two types of strains may indicate that social structures within the society are the ones which are pressurizing the people to commit the crimes. Merton proposed that deviance arises where there is conflict between defined goals and the means to achieve those goals. He proposed five types of deviance namely: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion (Agnew, 2006). Conformity is the ability to accept the cultural goals and having the means of attaining them. Innovation entails the acceptance of the goals but rejection of the traditional means of achieving them. For instance, a policeman may value wealth but chooses to use arms to obtain it. Ritualism involves the revocation of the goals but an acceptance of the means that are used to obtain those objectives. Retreatism entails the revocation of both the cultural goals and the means of achieving those goals. Lastly, rebellion entails the rejection of both the cultural goals and the modes of achieving them but attempting to come up or replace these two with different objectives and means. It is interesting therefore to note that people can be deviant in the pursuit of accepted goals in the society. For instance, people who traffic arms and drugs have revoked the accepted means of acquiring wealth but accept the value or the need to make money. In this case, deviance arises by accepting one norm and rejecting another. According to Merton, social values can therefore lead to deviance in two situations. One is through rejection of social values and the other is through acceptance of these social values and realizing them through unacceptable means. Explanation The strain theory can be used to relate to Al Capone by explaining the improper behavior he portrays. According to Robert, the set up in the society and the structures available can determine the deviation of an individual from the expected societal norms. This means that the deviance portrayed by the gangster may to a big extend be influenced by the surroundings in which he lived. Take for instance, the fact that he came from a conventional family where violence and correction through beating was not advocated for means that despite his errors and mistakes, the parents never corrected him. The set up of his family contributed to his bullying and murderous trait. It can conclusively be stated that, he often got away with his mistakes at his early childhood. This implies that the structure of his upbringing is such that one is not admonished for their crimes and faults, rather they are ignored; which had a big contribution to his deviant behavior. Besides this during his reign as the leader of the gang, he had political friends and alliances that often had mutual advantages from his trade. He was protected by the very law enforcing organs that were meant to protect the citizens (Agnew, 2006). This structure of the system of governance enhanced his criminal activities through corruption by enabling him to get away with his criminal acts such as distribution of illegal firearms, bribery, drug trafficking and alcoholism. By definition, it can be argued that it is true that the system and structure of the society can adversely contribute the deviance of an individual. The specific elements of the theory such as the topologies that explain deviance of an individual can further elucidate this statement. Merton shows that strain arises where an individual has goals, which are acceptable but lacks the necessary means of achieving those goals. For example, it is the dream of everyone to have financial security but few have the means to obtain lots of money. In the case where one lacks the means, he may be tempted to achieve the finances through unacceptable means. Merton calls this innovation. Al Capone uses unconventional means such as dealing with gangs to obtain finances from others forcefully, drugs, theft and murder. An analysis of his background shows that he does not originate from a wealthy family and thus he desires to create this wealth irrespective of the means that he uses. Merton explains that those people whose interests to achieve certain goals conflicts with the unavailability of avenues to achieve them, often experience anomie because; they have been thwarted by an obstacle from achieving a socially acceptable goal. Failure to honor the court summons amounts to rebellion. This form of deviance is witnessed in the ability of Al Capone of coming up with ways of handling his gang. He introduces brutality and force in coming up with new venture law to cover his criminal abilities. This means that he acknowledges the aspect of law and order in the society but uses it wrong and to justify himself (Agnew, 2006). Retreatism is also evident through his movement from one city to another while he evades capture by the federal authorities. In this case, sees the need of security but cannot afford to stay in one place. Rather he rents hotels and relocates from one place to the other in a bid to escape. He does not stay to be caught in a single roof. He is also a severe alcoholic and prefers a lot of female counterparts. Conclusion In conclusion, the behavior exhibited by individual can largely be determined by the environment in which the person lives. Deviance from the established norms though can be attributed by many factors such as the structure of the society, the penal code, upbringing, inner traits of a person among several other factors. Merton clearly outlines the social strain theory and explains how individual conform to this theory thus explaining the applicability of this theory to human deviance behavior and upbringing. Reference Agnew, R. (2006). Pressured into crime: an overview of general strain theory. Los Angeles, Calif: Roxbury Pub. Read More