Why Governments Don't Do What They Could To Reduce Violent Crime: The Politics of Crime (From Criminal Justice in America: Theory, Practice, and Policy, P 388-396, 1996, Barry W Hancock and Paul M Sharp, eds. -- See NCJ-160206)

• NCJ Number: 160232
• Author(s): R Neely
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Prentice-Hall, Inc
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This chapter examines the public's concerns about violent crime and considers the reasons why governments do little about it.

Abstract

The middle class complains about the high levels of crime, but when it comes time to vote on a tax increase to fund crime prevention measures, voters resist. The author considers reform efforts, particularly with respect to the courts, and concludes that a better operating system would be a calamity for certain interest groups. He reasons that for every reform proposal, there are powerful, organized forces that oppose it, with the opposition forces often being the most influential of all those interested in the legislation. Those who have the power to effect change already have the power, the author argues, so they are not interested in any change that would erode that power and the status quo. Despite occasional protests from politicians, there is little motivation for those in power to change the system. The court system may be reviled and castigated, but it is finally left unchanged. To achieve real criminal law reform, the author suggests the formation of a grassroots crusade along the lines of the ecology movement of the 1960's. Discussion questions and suggested student applications of chapter material