WHITE COLLAR CRIME - PROBLEMS OF DEFINITION AND LINE OF RESEARCH

• NCJ Number: 52982
• Journal: QUADERNI DI CRIMINOLOGIA CLINICA Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 503-549
• Author(s): G DIGENNARO; E VETERE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 47 pages
• Corporate Author: Ministero di Grazia E Giustizia
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Country: Italy
• Note: PRESENTED AT FIRST EUROPEAN DAYS OF SOCIAL DEFENSE ON PROBLEMS OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME, ROME, ITALY, OCTOBER 1977

Annotation

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND SUBSEQUENT DEFINITION OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME RANGE FROM RESEARCHERS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE.

Abstract

EXAMINATION OF LITERATURE AND CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS REVEAL THAT LAYMEN AND EXPERTS ALIKE PERCEIVE WHITE-COLLAR CRIME AS AN AREA OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY THAT THE PENAL TRADITION AND THE MORE RECENT CRIMINOLOGICAL TRADITION HAVE ALMOST COMPLETELY IGNORED. SUTHERLAND, IN ATTEMPTING TO REFORM THE THEORY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, DEFINED WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINALS AS INDIVIDUALS WHO BELONG TO THE UPPER-OR WHITE-COLLAR CLASS, WHO ARE BUSINESSMEN OR PROFESSIONALS, AND WHO ARE RESPECTABLE OR AT LEAST RESPECTED; WHITE-COLLAR CRIME WAS DEFINED AS ILLICIT BEHAVIOR ENTAILING THE VIOLATION OF FORMAL OR IMPLIED FAITH, CARRIED OUT IN THE COURSE OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, OR INVOLVING THE VIOLATION OF THE RULES GOVERNING PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES. WESTERN EUROPEAN SOCIALIST COUNTRIES HAVE DEFINED SUCH CRIME AS VIOLATIONS OF THE ECONOMIC ORDER INVOLVING PRODUCTION AND USE OF MATERIALS, CREDIT MANAGEMENT, OR THE PROVISION OF BASIC NECESSITIES. THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES CLEARLY DEFINING WHITE-COLLAR CRIME AND HAVE OUTLINED PLANS TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE STRATEGIES NECESSARY TO CONFRONT IT. OVERALL, WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THUS FAR FAILS TO MEET A GOAL OF ENCOMPASSING IN ONE SOCIOCRIMINOLOGICAL CATEGORY THE 'UNDESIRABLES' TO WHICH WHITE-COLLAR CRIME REFERS. SOME DIRECTIONS FOR RESEARCH MIGHT BE SEPARATING WHITE-COLLAR CRIME FROM 'CRIMINALITY FOR GAIN,' DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN ACTIVITIES INITIATED LAWFULLY WHICH DEVIATE ON THE BASIS OF PREVIOUSLY NONEXISTENT INTENTIONS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ADOPT LAWFUL FORMS BUT ARE ABUSED FROM THE OUTSET, OR INVESTIGATING THE CURRENT ROLE OF VIGILANCE AND CONTROL AGENCIES, AS WELL AS OF PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. WHITE-COLLAR CRIME MUST BE VIEWED FROM POLITICAL AND MORAL STANDPOINTS. UNLESS SOCIOPOLITICAL SYSTEMS BRING ABOUT A CULTURAL REFORM BY IDENTIFYING WHITE-COLLAR CRIME AND TREATING ITS CAUSES (SUCH AS MATERIALISM), LAW WILL BE OF LITTLE VALUE. FOR AN ENGLISH SUMMARY TRANSLATION, SEE NCJ # 59507. --IN ITALIAN. (MHP)