Understanding Merton’s Strain Theory, Moral Panic, And The Ruling Class’s Influence On Crime And Deviance

Merton’s Strain Theory

Questions:

1.Do you believe Merton’s theory, especially the concept of the innovator adequately explains why some people engage in Criminal behaviour. Identify a recent Australian example.

2.What are Moral Panics? Identify a recent Australian example, where you have seen discussed in the Median and Explain how and why this example evolved to become a moral panic.

3.Identify a recent Australian example, where you have seen discussed in the Media and Explain how and why this example supports the statement above Statement.

1.Merton was an American sociologist who expanded the Strain theory of criminal indulgence. According to the theory provided by him pressure is created by socially accepted goals upon the individuals of a society. Individuals are abetted to operate in the system or become a part of a deviant subculture for the purpose of achieving the goals they want (White, Haines & Asquith 2012). This belief provided by Merton became famous as the strain theory. In addition the theory states that when a gap is created between the individuals and the desired goals and their present position because of money related matters the concept of strain originates. When people are subjected to strain there are five ways in which people try to adapt. Firstly they want to pursue their goals via those means which have been approved by the society. They also use innovations which makes them use unconventional or unapproved ways to achieve culturally approved goals. They can indulge in ritualism through which they can achieve more modest goals. Through the process of retreatism they do not want to achieve cultural goals and want to escape it. And through rebellion they do not want the cultural goals and find a way so that they can be replaced. I believe that although the theory does not comprehensively provide a reason as to why people indulge in criminal activities its findings cannot be rejected. It is fact they socially an individual would be want to be a respected in the society and in the contemporary would this only happens when a person is rich. Thus to gain such resources people innovate ways which may either be legal or criminal. One of the examples of the application of the Innovator aspect of the theory has been stated through ABC News (2017). Here four individuals were found to be deal in drugs through social media in South Australia which is a latest innovation. Out of the four arrested 2 were below the age of 25 and the other two were below the age of 30 and it is clear that not achieving social goals made them innovate criminal activities.

Exploring Moral Panic

2.A moral panic can be defined as a feeling of anxiety and fear which is spread among a number of individuals in the society with respect to some threat or evil to the society’s well-being. According to White, Haines & Asquith (2012) social panic is the process which creates worry over problems related to the society. The key payers who disseminate moral indignation are media although they do not apprehend to engage consciously in Muckraking and crusading. Panic, anxiety and concern can be created through the process of simply stating the facts. According to Reid (2015) moral panic takes place when an individual, a group, an episode or a condition is defined as a threat to the values and interest of the society. A few examples of moral panic may include satanic cults indulging in ritual abuse of children and women belief in abduction of children in a large scale by predatory paedophiles and war on drugs.

According to The Guardian (2017) stopping boat people to enter Australia has been a necessary measure. Boat people include those groups and individuals who are entering Australia through boats and are asylum seekers. Analyzing the statement of the media in the light of the moral theory it can be provided that a moral panic may be created within the Australian community through the news. I believe this is because the community would be anxious over the Australian national way of life and identity along with fear of concerns of multiculturalism and Asian invasion. The statement of fact made by the media would be enough to create moral panic among the society. They would be concerned about increased crime in the society as well as the increased expenses of the government. Therefore it can be stated that any statement which apprehends to be detrimental to the society can be a cause of moral panic creation. In addition media plays a significant role in creating moral panic.

3.According to Weisburd (2015) crime and deviance is created by the ruling class as they use their powers as a mean of social control according to which if you do not comply you are going to be punished. The ruling class has the power of making law and thus they enact provisions which are primarily for their own interest. These laws may therefore not sever their actual purpose of ensuring peace and justice in the society. The primary concern in relation to such rule class law making is in the area of human rights such as the right of freedom of speech and the right to property. The white collar crimes which are indulged into by the eminent and powerful individuals and groups of the society are ignored by the ruling class. On the other had criminal activities which are committed by less powerful members of the society for social needs such as street crimes and burglary are given increased focus. According to the theory there are different policies for different social classes. Where white collar crimes are generally governed under the provisions of civil law, crime like street crimes and theft are governed by criminal law. In civil law those who violate can escape by paying fines and penalties but this is not the case in criminal law. Those who are doing nominal theft are being seriously punished and those who are stealing millions through the process of corporate fraud are roaming free by paying fines and penalties. One of the classic examples I would provide of this is that the breach of directors’ duties only results in civil penalty provisions. On classic example of the theory is the anti terrorism laws enacted by the Australian parliament (ABC News 2017). The laws apprehend to restrict the freedom of expression and speech so that no voice can be raised against the government. It is therefore clear in this case the government is enacting laws in the favor of the ruling class which is themselves and the detriment of the general public.

References

ABC News. (2017). Drug deals on social media targeted by SA police. [online] Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-03/drug-dealing-social-media-four-arrests/7684298 [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017].

ABC News. (2017). New anti-terror laws ‘could endanger freedom of speech’. [online] Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-17/5820558 [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017].

Reid, S.T., 2015. Crime and criminology. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.

The Guardian. (2017). Australian immigration and asylum | Australia news | The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/australian-immigration-and-asylum [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017].

Weisburd, D., 2015. The law of crime concentration and the criminology of place. Criminology, 53(2), pp.133-157.

White, R, Haines, F & Asquith, N 2012, ‘Marxist criminology’, in Crime and criminology, 5th edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, pp. 118–141.