Elite deviance

by David R. Simon

Elite Deviance, 9/e David R. Simon, University of North Florida Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Elite Deviance is the only text in this area that takes a holistic view as it traces the causes of elite deviance to the structure of power and wealth in the United States. Elite Deviance includes both criminal and non-criminal elite acts that cause great harm. Unique in its scope, Elite Deviance covers not only corporate crime and political corruption in historical and contemporary contexts, but also the relationship between the two. Numerous current examples and case studies grab students’ interest and reinforce all major theoretical points in the book. Includes current public opinion reports that reflect the lack of confidence in government and business in the United States. Incorporates information on global organized crime syndicates and their relationship to elite deviance on a global scale. Covers hot topics such as sexual political scandals ; gasoline price fixing ; 2000 and 2004 campaign scandals ; money laundering by the Bank of New York; black market cigarette smuggling by the major cigarette firms; the NSA spy network's phone tapping capability ; and the fraud scams by the world's two leading auction houses . It also includes a new section on history of the crimes committed by the Bush family dynasty. Systematically examines the nation's most serious scandals, including recent convictions of members of congress, Lewis Libby, and scandals surrounding the ex-World Bank president, the current Attorney General, recent financial fraud scandals (e.g., Enron, World Com, TYCO, Martha Stuart, etc.); the JFK assassination, Watergate, Iran-Contra, the Savings and Loan scandal, civil rights violations the Bush administration, scandals of the Clinton Administration, the Waco raid, and others. Contains a “higher immorality” case study involving manipulation of public opinion in America's entrance into the Iraq war . Extended discussion of global warming and environmental threats to workers, especially recent mining disasters

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Politics

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

No book has been more influential on my path of study or the way I view crime and deviance in America than David R. Simon's Elite Deviance.

Perhaps one of the most interesting notions comes directly from the title: is it elite deviance, rather than elite crime? We have witnessed a systematic restructuring of how we define crime, to the point where certain criminal actions of those in power are now "business as usual." How has this restructuring occurred? Is it continuing? What does this mean for those who aren't part of "elite" society? Simon explores these questions and more.

Elite Deviance is a classic for those interested in the social construction of corporate and state crime, right alongside the work of Domhoff and Gramsci. Despite elite crime accounting for more monetary and physical damage each year, we disproportionately fear street crimes. This is in part due to the aforementioned restructuring of our definitions of crime, but also because while massive, the scope of elite crime is is largely unseen and rarely directly felt, and reading this book will provide fantastic insight as to where to look to find it. Elite Deviance is a great step for any socially conscious reader to become more informed about the structure of the economic, political, and social world around them.

[Lysa Fisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I highly recommend this book. Its introduction and definition of the term "elite deviance" alone makes it worthwhile. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg as it exposes who is actually behind the crime that common street thugs commit and serve time for. If not for the systems elite deviants command, control, and maintain to support their elite criminal networks, petty crime would hardly exist. No study of deviance is complete until the role of elite deviant behavior is accounted for. This book is such a great resource for that, I keep it handy as a reference to help me understand the confounding news of corruption in our society jamming our airwaves and hardening our hearts on a moment by moment basis.

[Christopher]

as a catalog of corporate, civic, or other organizational transgression since WW2, this is very, very solid

the overall argumentation is not so sophisticated, ‘deviance’ is offhandedly defined as actions done without the golden rule in mind, seems kind of watery

[Shavern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for everyone interested in our past fifty years, present times, and future.