White-collar crimes have increased in the modern world due to improved technology. Typically, these criminal activities are financially-motivated and are nonviolent. The term was introduced in 1949 by Sutherland, a sociologist, who stated that most of these acts are exercised by people of high social statuses in the source of their occupation (Simpson, 2019). Money laundering is one of the issues experienced in the past regarding white-collar crimes.
Ponzi’s schemes have also been analyzed when focusing on these types of misconducts (Simpson, 2019). Corporate crime has also been experienced for many years since it involves individuals within their legitimate occupations (Simpson, 2019). Crimes such as bribery, manipulating the stock market, and false claims in advertising are some of the corporate crimes experienced in the past (Simpson, 2019). The history of white-collar crimes and corporate crimes has influenced these criminal issues in the modern world since many people exercise them after learning how different people in the past executed these crimes. Many individuals are also using technology to ensure that they develop the tactics acquired from past crimes.
Theories have been developed concerning white-collar offending to show how they can be limited. One of the models is Hirschi’s control theory, which argues that aspects within the corporation such as managerial attachments, work commitment and involvement, and belief in corporate rules impact the chances of white-collar and corporate crimes. Therefore, the model shows that aspects of society serve to diminish one’s propensity for deviant behavior.
Rational choice theory is another concept that focuses on white-collar crime. The model argues that the social failure of individuals does not produce criminal behavior but involves a life of balancing choices and choosing the one with the most reward. Coleman’s theory can also be analyzed when focusing on white-collar offending since it states that individuals make various choices in numerous stages of social life (Matsueda, 2017). The theory can be compared to other explanations of white-collar offenses because individuals’ choices initiate the crimes. Coleman’s theory shows that people have to decide whether to engage in white-collar crimes when in different positions in society, which can be compared to other explanations in Hirschi’s control and rational choice concepts.
References
Matsueda, R. L. (2017). Toward an analytical criminology: The micro-macro problem, causal mechanisms, and public policy. Criminology, 55(3), 493-519. Web.
Simpson, S. S. (2019). Reimagining Sutherland 80 years after the white‐collar crime. Criminology, 57(2), 189-207. Web.