State Crime and Immorality: The Corrupting Influence of the Powerful

Description

This is the first book to examine the activities of UK and international 'role models' through the lens of state crime and social policy. Written by experts in the field of sociology and social policy, it defines the ideal state as a single, functioning whole that ensures uniformity in the name of legitimacy. It then details the ways that states do not constitute the ideal in terms of the dangers associated with the maintenance of legitimacy and state power. Anti-democratic measures, such as the invasions of other nation states, the idea that the media can both reinforce and influence the state and the problems of over-zealous policing of a state's own populace, are covered. Using the topical example of Rupert Murdoch and the activities of his media organisation to show how powerful individuals and corporations can and do exert political influence, the book provides a comprehensive discussion of state immorality and deviance generally and state crime in particular. It will appeal to range of academics and practitioners in broader disciplines such as criminology, sociology, politics and political science.

Dr Mark Monaghan, Lecturer in Sociology, Social Policy and Crime, University of Leeds Mark Monoghan completed his first degree in Sociology from the University of Liverpool and then went to Leeds in 2004 on a ESRC 1+3 Scheme to undertake postgraduate study. His doctoral research, completed in 2008, centred on the problematic nature of evidence-based policy-making, when applied to heavily politicised areas. This was explored using recent developments in the UK drug classification system as a case study, in particular, the changing status of cannabis therein. Simon Prideaux is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Crime at the University of Leeds, he has written widely on social policy and has a growing profile within disability studies. His interests take in comparative access policy, welfare discourses, conditionality and political ideologies. His work tends to be multi-disciplinary. It incorporates social theory, political philosophy and social policy. His primary focus has been on New Labour and the socio-political influences that shape their policy direction.

"A provocative and stimulating book and one that should be essential reading for anybody wanting a better understanding of the complex interplay between politics, the media, business and criminal enterprise." James Windle, University of East London