Crime and the American DreamUsing current statistics and analysis of crime rates to develop their theory, Messner (sociology, SUNY, Albany) and Rosenfeld (sociology, U. of Missouri, St. Louis) advance the argument that exceptionally high crime rates in the US are due to distinctive sociological patterns, in particular, the formula for the American Dream--a strong emphasis on the goal of monetary success and a weak emphasis on the importance of the legitimate means for the pursuit of success. They conclude with a proposal for a mature society built on mutual support and collective obligations. This new edition addresses recent drops in crime rates and is updated throughout. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR. |
Contents
A SOCIETY ORGANIZED FOR CRIME | 1 |
BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY | 16 |
WhiteCollar Crimes | 26 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
achievement African-Americans American culture American Dream American society analysis anomic anomie perspective anomie theory basic capitalist Chapter cities committed crime control crime in America crime rates criminal behavior criminal violence criminology cultural and social cultural deviance cultural ethos decommodification delinquency deviance differences discussion dominant drug economic Edwin Sutherland Émile Durkheim explanation of crime Figure firearm functions goals high levels homicide rates ican important individual inequality inner-city institutional structure intermediate sanctions James Truslow Adams Kornhauser levels of crime liberal macrolevel males Merton Michael Milken Milken monetary success nations neighborhood Newsweek noneconomic norms offending opportunities percent political population prison rates of serious relationship reported Richard Cloward robbery roles Rosenfeld serious crime social control social disorganization social institutions social organization social structure sociological sociological paradigm strain theory subcultures theoretical tion tural unemployment United University victimization violent crime white-collar crime York