Deviance in Utopia - The Criminology of Ideal Society

• NCJ Number: 83396
• Journal: World Future Society Bulletin Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-February 1982) Pages: 25-29
• Author(s): J S Albanese
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Article is based on material first presented as a paper at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, November 1981, in Washington, D.C.

Annotation

Criminological theories underlying concepts of crime-free utopian communities are discussed, and characteristics of apparently successful utopian communities are identified.

Abstract

Assault and theft are the 'high fear' crimes that efforts to establish utopian communities seek to eliminate. Some argue that these crimes can be prevented without understanding their causes by providing the threat of criminal penalties that affect deterrence; however, to reduce or eliminate assaults and theft, a mere reinforcement or strenghtening of criminal sanctions is not likely to be effective. Where there is a strong community value reinforcement against theft and assault, stronger law enforcement against theft, a mere reinforcement or strengthening of criminal sanctions is not likely to be effective. Where there is a strong community value reinforcement against theft and assault, stronger law enforcement mechanisms are more redundant than preventive. If a greater understanding of the causes of deviance is achieved, strategies can be designed to ameliorate these causes, rather than replicating larger redundant control strategies. All attempts to achieve utopia assume that the ultimate source of all human problems is the environment. Founders of utopian communities differ, however, in their views about which environmental characteristics are most important in eliminating deviance. While there have been many attempts to establish utopian communities, relatively few have been sufficiently documented to permit subsequent examination of their efforts. In perhaps the most exhaustive study of utopian communities ever conducted, Rosabeth Kanter concluded that the key to successful communities is commitment, where what the individual is willing to give to the group behaviorally and emotionally and what the group in turn expects of him/her is coordinated and mutually reinforcing. Systems of confession and mutual criticism have also been used in many of the successful utopian communities. Through these mechanisms, individuals come to believe that personal fulfillment can only be achieved when community objectives are achieved. Suggestions for further research are offered. Five references are listed.