NCJ Number
197638
Journal
Criminal Justice Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 363-383
Date Published
2002
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article describes and explains the conflicts arising from economic crime in Sweden during 1975 to 1997.
Abstract
The author conducted a qualitative content analysis of political documents, newspaper articles, journal articles, and television programs to understand the conflicts that surrounded economic crime in Sweden. During 1975 to 1997, Sweden experienced a flurry of political activity aimed at counteracting economic crime. The author studied this time period to discern the themes that developed during the ensuing political conflict and to identify these themes with groups of actors. The theoretical perspective employed in this study understands conflicts as collective outcomes that develop from a clash of interests between different actors or groups. In Sweden, the author contends that two groups emerged: the “offensive leftist bloc” and a more “conservative center-right bloc.” Each group gave voice to a dominant discourse in this political struggle. One group is described as believing in social justice and solidarity while the other group espouses a deregulation and tax-cut point of view. The author notes the role of the media in initially drawing attention to and problematizing the political conflicts over economic crimes. In conclusion, the author calls for more research on economic crime policy, especially comparative studies. Tables, notes, references