NCJ Number
31790
Journal
Crime and Social Justice Dated: (FALL-WINTER 1975) Pages: 15-23
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF LEAA IS EXPLAINED BY EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE-DEFINED CRIME AND THE STABILITY OF CAPITALIST ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS.
Abstract
THE NOTION OF A 'SOCIAL-INDUSTRIAL' COMPLEX AND THE THEORY OF FISCAL CRISIS ARE UTILIZED TO EXPLAIN AND DESCRIBE STATE-FINANCING OF LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION IN SOCIAL PROGRAMS WHICH CAN ONLY BE DEVELOPED BY 'MONOPOLY SECTOR INDUSTRIES' (MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND CONGLOMERATES WHICH CONTROL PRODUCTION IN CAPITALINTENSIVE INDUSTRIES). THE THEORY OF THE FISCAL CRISIS OF THE STATE IS BASED UPON THE OBSERVATION THAT THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR STATE EXPENDITURE TO OUTRUN REVENUE. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIAL-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX (DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF INDUSTRY IN THE PLANNING, PRODUCTION, AND OPERATION OF STATE-FINANCED SOCIAL PROGRAMS) IS ONE WAY OF ALLEVIATING THE FISCAL CRISIS THAT ALSO PROVIDES NEW INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MONOPOLY INDUSTRIES. THE AUTHOR THEN APPLIES THIS THEORY TO LEAA: SINCE THE GOVERNMENT (THROUGH THE KERNER COMMISSION) HAD DEFINED THE CAUSE OF RISING CRIME RATES AND CIVIL UNREST AS A LACK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTISE AND LARGE CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH AND EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT, LEAA DEDICATES MOST OF ITS BUDGET TO THESE AREAS. THESE GOODS AND SERVICES ARE, IN TURN, SUPPLIED BY INDUSTRIES THROWN INTO FISCAL CRISIS BY THE UNITED STATES' WITHDRAWAL FROM VIETNAM. THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT GOVERNMENT CAPITAL INVESTMENT HAS ENABLED THESE DEFENSE AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES TO RESTRUCTURE THEIR PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.