NCJ Number
20688
Journal
DELIKT EN DELINKWENT Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 249-260
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE IS A CRITICAL REVIEW OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH AMERICAN CRIMINOLOGY BASED ON DISCUSSIONS AND PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION, FEBRUARY 1977 AT WASHINGTON, D.C.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THE GENERAL TENDENCY IN CURRENT AMERICAN CRIMINOLOGY APPEARS TO BE TO CONCENTRATE ON COLLECTING FACTS RATHER THAN INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES OF CRIMINALITY. THIS BECOMES APPARENT WHEN ONE SEES THE VAST AMOUNTS OF MONEY AVAILABLE FOR POLICY-RELEVANT RESEARCH BY ENGINEERS, COMPUTER SPECIALISTS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGISTS. THIS RESEARCH PRODUCES DATA THAT CAN BE USED AND INTERPRETED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION. THIS IS SEEN AS SUPPRESSING THE SOCIAL SYMPTOMS OF CRIMINALITY AND NECESSARILY SANCTIONS THE MORAL NORMS OF THE MAJORITY AND/OR THE GOVERNMENT. THE ARGUMENT MADE DURING THE CONFERENCE THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAW AND MORALS, STRESSING THE RELATIVITY OF MORALS AND THE DESIRABILITY OF MINIMIZING STATE INTERVENTION IN THE PRIVATE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS, MET WITH LITTLE ACCLAIM. FURTHER PROGRESS IN THIS DIRECTION, THE AUTHOR FEELS, WILL CREATE ROBOTS RATHER THAN CREATIVE BEINGS. --IN DUTCH....MSP