An Analysis of Crime, Deviance, and Society: An Essay

This essay examines the concepts of crime, deviance, and society, exploring various sociological theories and real-world examples. It begins with an analysis of Merton's strain theory, explaining how societal pressures and the gap between goals and means can lead to criminal behavior, using examples like drug dealing via social media. The essay then delves into the concept of moral panic, defining it as societal anxiety over perceived threats and illustrating it with examples like the debate over boat people in Australia and the role of media in amplifying these concerns. Finally, the essay discusses the role of the ruling class in shaping crime and deviance, highlighting how laws and policies may favor the powerful, with examples like white-collar crimes and anti-terrorism laws, which can limit freedom of expression. The essay provides a critical analysis of these theories and examples, offering insights into the complexities of crime and its relationship with social structures.

Running head: CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY
Crime, Deviance and Society
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY
Answer 1
Merton was an American sociologist who expanded the Strain theory of criminal indulgence.
According to the theory provided by him pressure is created by socially accepted goals upon the
individuals of a society. Individuals are abetted to operate in the system or become a part of a
deviant subculture for the purpose of achieving the goals they want (White, Haines & Asquith
2012). This belief provided by Merton became famous as the strain theory. In addition the theory
states that when a gap is created between the individuals and the desired goals and their present
position because of money related matters the concept of strain originates. When people are
subjected to strain there are five ways in which people try to adapt. Firstly they want to pursue
their goals via those means which have been approved by the society. They also use innovations
which makes them use unconventional or unapproved ways to achieve culturally approved goals.
They can indulge in ritualism through which they can achieve more modest goals. Through the
process of retreatism they do not want to achieve cultural goals and want to escape it. And
through rebellion they do not want the cultural goals and find a way so that they can be replaced.
I believe that although the theory does not comprehensively provide a reason as to why people
indulge in criminal activities its findings cannot be rejected. It is fact they socially an individual
would be want to be a respected in the society and in the contemporary would this only happens
when a person is rich. Thus to gain such resources people innovate ways which may either be
legal or criminal. One of the examples of the application of the Innovator aspect of the theory has
been stated through ABC News (2017). Here four individuals were found to be deal in drugs
through social media in South Australia which is a latest innovation. Out of the four arrested 2
were below the age of 25 and the other two were below the age of 30 and it is clear that not
achieving social goals made them innovate criminal activities.

CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY
Answer 2
A moral panic can be defined as a feeling of anxiety and fear which is spread among a number of
individuals in the society with respect to some threat or evil to the society’s well-being.
According to White, Haines & Asquith (2012) social panic is the process which creates worry
over problems related to the society. The key payers who disseminate moral indignation are
media although they do not apprehend to engage consciously in Muckraking and crusading.
Panic, anxiety and concern can be created through the process of simply stating the facts.
According to Reid (2015) moral panic takes place when an individual, a group, an episode or a
condition is defined as a threat to the values and interest of the society. A few examples of moral
panic may include satanic cults indulging in ritual abuse of children and women belief in
abduction of children in a large scale by predatory paedophiles and war on drugs.
According to The Guardian (2017) stopping boat people to enter Australia has been a necessary
measure. Boat people include those groups and individuals who are entering Australia through
boats and are asylum seekers. Analyzing the statement of the media in the light of the moral
theory it can be provided that a moral panic may be created within the Australian community
through the news. I believe this is because the community would be anxious over the Australian
national way of life and identity along with fear of concerns of multiculturalism and Asian
invasion. The statement of fact made by the media would be enough to create moral panic among
the society. They would be concerned about increased crime in the society as well as the
increased expenses of the government. Therefore it can be stated that any statement which
apprehends to be detrimental to the society can be a cause of moral panic creation. In addition
media plays a significant role in creating moral panic.

CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY
Answer 3
According to Weisburd (2015) crime and deviance is created by the ruling class as they use their
powers as a mean of social control according to which if you do not comply you are going to be
punished. The ruling class has the power of making laws and thus they enact provisions which
are primarily for their own interest. These laws may therefore not sever their actual purpose of
ensuring peace and justice in the society. The primary concern in relation to such rule class law
making is in the area of human rights such as the right of freedom of speech and the right to
property. The white collar crimes which are indulged into by the eminent and powerful
individuals and groups of the society are ignored by the ruling class. On the other had criminal
activities which are committed by less powerful members of the society for social needs such as
street crimes and burglary are given increased focus. According to the theory there are different
policies for different social classes. Where white collar crimes are generally governed under the
provisions of civil law, crime like street crimes and theft are governed by criminal law. In civil
law those who violate can escape by paying fines and penalties but this is not the case in criminal
law. Those who are doing nominal theft are being seriously punished and those who are stealing
millions through the process of corporate fraud are roaming free by paying fines and penalties.
One of the classic examples I would provide of this is that the breach of directors’ duties only
results in civil penalty provisions. On classic example of the theory is the anti terrorism laws
enacted by the Australian parliament (ABC News 2017). The laws apprehend to restrict the
freedom of expression and speech so that no voice can be raised against the government. It is
therefore clear in this case the government is enacting laws in the favor of the ruling class which
is themselves and the detriment of the general public.

CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY
References
ABC News. (2017). Drug deals on social media targeted by SA police. [online] Available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-03/drug-dealing-social-media-four-arrests/7684298
[Accessed 30 Oct. 2017].
ABC News. (2017). New anti-terror laws 'could endanger freedom of speech'. [online] Available
at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-17/5820558 [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017].
Reid, S.T., 2015. Crime and criminology. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.
The Guardian. (2017). Australian immigration and asylum | Australia news | The Guardian.
[online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/australian-immigration-and-
asylum [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017].
Weisburd, D., 2015. The law of crime concentration and the criminology of
place. Criminology, 53(2), pp.133-157.
White, R, Haines, F & Asquith, N 2012, ‘Marxist criminology’, in Crime and criminology, 5th
edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, pp. 118–141.