CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES OF VIOLATIONS OF WARTIME REGULATIONS (FROM WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL - THE OFFENDER IN BUSINESS AND THE PROFESSIONS, 1968 BY G GEIS - SEE NCJ-39155)

• NCJ Number: 39156
• Author(s): M B CLINARD
• Date Published: 1968
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: Atherton Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES VIOLATIONS OF THE PRICE AND RATIONING REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION (OPA) DURING WORLD WAR TWO AND ANALYZES SEVERAL POSSIBLE EXPLANATORY OR CAUSAL THEORIES.

Abstract

EMPHASIS IS PLACED PRIMARILY ON VIOLATIONS BY WHOLESALERS, RETAILERS, AND MANUFACTURERS. ANALYSIS OF OPA INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND SANCTIONS SHOWED WIDE-SCALE VIOLATIONS WHICH COULD BE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE MAIN TYPES - DIRECT VIOLATIONS IN THE FORM OF STRAIGHT OVERCEILING CHARGES; INDIRECT OVERCEILING CHARGES INVOLVING THE USE OF EVASIVE PRACTICES TO COVER UP THE VIOLATION AND HAMPER DETECTION; AND VIOLATIONS OF RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. THEORIES ADVANCED TO EXPLAIN THIS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR COMPRISE SITUATIONAL REACTIONS TO PRESSURES OF PROFITS, SUPPLIES, AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS SUTHERLAND'S THEORY OF DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION. THIS THEORY IMPLIES THAT THE PERSON HAS ACQUIRED CERTAIN ANTISOCIAL NORMS THROUGH ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER PERSONS WHICH PREDISPOSE HIM TO VIOLATE THE LAW. SEVERAL LIMITATIONS IN SUTHERLAND'S POSITION ARE NOTED, HOWEVER, AND IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THERE CAN BE NO SINGLE EXPLANATION OF OPA VIOLATIONS. ONE AREA RECOMMENDED FOR FUTURE EXAMINATION, THOUGH, IS THE 'LIFE ORGANIZATIONS' OF THE VIOLATORS....ELW