NCJ Number
10294
Date Published
1972
Length
87 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF EXISTING KNOWLEDGE OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN LEGAL AND OTHER STRATEGIES OF SOCIAL ORDERING CONCERNING IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF DEVIANCE AND CRIMINALITY.
Abstract
THE BASIC NORMATIVE PROBLEM PERTAINS TO THOSE ASPECTS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR WHICH PEOPLE FEEL ARE MORALLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND WHICH BEHAVIORS ARE VIEWED AS DISTURBING, THREATENING, OR POLITICALLY DISADVANTAGEOUS. CONFRONTED WITH SUCH PROBLEMS, THERE IS A GREAT TEMPTATION TO ATTEMPT SOLUTIONS BY MEANS OF LEGALIZATION. LEGALIZATION IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH NORMATIVE EXPECTATIONS ARE MADE OFFICIAL, AND AS A MECHANISM BY WHICH DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IS IDENTIFIED, DETECTED, AND CONTROLLED. A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR EXAMINING THE SUBJECT IS OFFERED AND A CLASSIFICATION OF LEGAL NORMS IN ORDER TO ORGANIZE AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF LEGALIZATION IS PROVIDED. VARIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY DECISIONS PERTAINING TO SOCIAL CONTROL THROUGH LEGALIZATION ARE DEALT WITH. EXTENSIVE REFERENCES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)