PICT/PICX 313: Political Dimension of Criminal Acts - Case Studies

This assignment explores the political dimensions of criminal acts, focusing on case studies from the United States and the Philippines. The abstract begins by defining political crime as acts or omissions that prejudice the interests of the government or political system, often involving state actions to maintain social conformity. The assignment discusses corruption in the US, specifically in Clark County, Nevada, where strip club owners bribed officials for favorable policies. It also examines the Philippines, where politics is characterized by corruption, vote-related violence, and the criminalization of politicians. The abstract references academic sources to support its arguments, highlighting the complex interplay between crime and politics in different national contexts and the impact on the political landscape. The assignment aims to analyze how criminal acts take on a political dimension through real-world examples and theoretical frameworks.

Running Head: SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Topic: How do criminal acts take on a political dimension?
Case Studies: US and Philippines
Student’s Name
University Name
Author’s Note

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Abstract
In criminology, political offence is a kind of crime involving act or omission, prejudice in the
interest of the government or the political system. Political crime by States can be defined as a
behaviour that can be perceived as a serious threat to the survival of the state itself, including
both violent as well as non violent criminology (Della 2017).
Often, the state uses the resources of structural functionist criminologist in order to ensure social
conformity. This implies that a particular state is trying to maintain social discourse by
increasing our culture that might be predominantly religious, social, economic or other with
lesser formal conference. Violence or discriminatory activity against racial groups, strike of trade
unions or picketing against the private employees can also be seen as versions of political crime.
As stated by Michael (2013), evidences of political crime are available in almost all potential
Nation States. In this context, the political corruption of USA in 2003 can be mentioned. The
FBI joined hands with the DBA and IRS for reading the area strip clubs of Las Vegas as a part of
investigating production. Over the time, it was revealed that several officials involved with Clark
County Commission which is lab for Overseas the unincorporated areas in Clark county where
involved in accepting bribes from owners of strip clubs like Michael Galardi in lieu of extending
their political influence for exercising friendly policies in favour of strip clubs (Trex 2008).
The instance of Philippine politics can also be taken in order to describe political criminology. In
Philippines, politics is oblique scenario where black propaganda including mode buying, vote
related violence, cheating is normal. The scenario has become so personalized in Philippines that
politicians kill their own family members if they are defeated in elections (Narang 2013).
However Jongman (2017), studies that the sad part is that politicians are criminalised without

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them knowing. They are compelled to sell themselves to corruption in order to win elections or
sustain their position in winning political parties.

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Reference List
Della Porta, D., 2017. Corrupt exchanges: Actors, resources, and mechanisms of political
corruption. Routledge.
Jongman, A.J., 2017. Political terrorism: A new guide to actors, authors, concepts, data bases,
theories, and literature. Routledge.
Michael J. Lynch 2013. Political economy and crime: an overview, Journal of Crime and Justice,
36:2, 137-147, DOI: 10.1080/0735648X.2012.752250
Narang, R, 2013. The criminalization of politicians in PH. Rappler.com. Available at:
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/42766-criminalization-politicians-philippines
[Accessed on 21st March 2019]
Trex, E, 2008. 4 More Examples of American Political Corruption. Mentalfloss.com. (Online).
Available at: http://mentalfloss.com/article/20340/4-more-examples-american-political-
corruption [Accessed on 21st March 2019]