How does anomie cause crime

Farnworth M, Leiber MJ Strain theory revisited: economic goals, educational means, and delinquency. Konty M Microanomie: the cognitive foundations of the relationship between anomie and deviance. Liska AE Aspirations, expectations, and delinquency: Stress and additive models. Sociological Quarterly — Google Scholar. Liu J Crime patterns during the market transition in China. Brit J Criminol — Google Scholar. Menard S A developmental test of mertonian anomie theory.

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Contemp Crises — Google Scholar. Only an excess of crime is an indication of a lack of observance of social rules and a dwindling collective consciousness. If deviation in society becomes the rule and hedonistic-egoistic action as well as human instincts take over, there is the danger of an anomie. This is at least possible for the state by successfully communicating values and moral concepts that apply equally to all members of society.

If society or the state prescribes a clear and unequivocal standardization, the individual recognizes it and renounces certain desires or severely restricts many of his needs. A prerequisite for this, however, is on the one hand that the members of society accept the content of the norms set and do not only adhere to them out of pure fear of sanctions this acceptance can, however, only be expected if the distribution of goods in the social structure is not too unequal.

On the other hand, the stability of the norm-setting society is a prerequisite: economic or social collapses as well as other changes in times of social change weaken collective consciousness and call into question the moral principles previously shared. In summary, it can be said that, according to Durkheim, the clear and unequivocal communication of social norms on the one hand and the stability of economic and social factors in societies on the other hand can prevent the outbreak of increased crime.

Therefore, this sense of anomie , imbalance, and division of labor justify the modes of adaptation the disadvantaged resort too.

So what does the criminal justice system do to avoid this? What are the policies put forth to deal with this inevitable dependence on crime? Although difficult, it is essential to strengthen the non- economic social institutions, like church or public school educations. There must be less emphasis placed on the importance or status of private school education.

In addition, it is necessary to equalize the opportunities for success. The lower level employees must have the same amount of opportunity that the upper level employees have, or once had. The lesser employees must not be alienated within the workplace or held accountable for things that the upper level employees are excused of. The current crack down on white-collar crime is an example of how the criminal justice system is working to even the playing field in the work place.

Due to the fact that monetary success and status are the goals set by the collective conscience, as Durkheim would say, the criminal justice system has began to withdraw from the biased environment that causes this anomie and strive to balance the means by which success is attainable.

Bernburg, J. Anomie, social change and crime. British Journal of Criminology, 42 4 , Durkheim, E. The division of labor in society. New York, Free Press of Glencoe. Krohn, M. Merton took this idea further by suggesting that anomie was caused by a strain between the consensus view of what people should aim for in life and the consensus or accepted view of how you should go about achieving it. This was the basis of his strain theory. Handy printed packs of revision flashcards to support students preparing for assessments, mocks and final exams.

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