NCJ Number
32993
Date Published
1975
Length
127 pages
Annotation
CASE STUDIES OF BLACKMAIL EVENTS ARE USED TO EXPLORE THE KINDS OF SOCIAL SITUATION IN WHICH VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS BECOME VULNERABLE TO BLACKMAIL.
Abstract
IN ISOLATING THE KEY INGREDIENTS OF REPUTATIONAL BLACKMAIL IN BRITAIN OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS, THIS BOOK IS NOT PREOCCUPIED WITH THREATS TO ACCUSE SOMEONE OF A MAJOR CRIMINAL OFFENCE SUCH AS MURDER OR ARMED ROBBERY, BUT RATHER WITH THOSE CASES WHERE THE PENALTIES OF DISCOVERY ARE LESS CLEAR-CUT AND WHERE PUBLIC REACTION MAY BE MUCH MORE AMBIVALENT (SUCH AS TAX EVASION, SEXUAL PROMISCUITY, BIGAMY). THE AUTHOR PRESENTS REPUTATIONAL BLACKMAIL AS ONE MANIFESTATION OF THE PROBLEM OF RESPECTABILITY IN AN ADVANCED CAPITALIST SOCIETY. IT IS NOT SEEN AS ESSENTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MANIPULATIVE ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY NEVER FALL WITHIN THE AMBIT OF CRIMINAL LAW. ACCORDINGLY, THE AUTHOR FOCUSES ATTENTION ON THE WAY BLACKMAIL IS STIGMATISED IN CRIMINOLOGICAL AND OTHER LITERATURE, AND THE POSSIBLE VALIDITY OF THE STEREOTYPE IN THE LIGHT OF ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)