NCJ Number
19251
Journal
Criminology Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 385-398
Date Published
1975
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER MAKES A CRITIQUE OF THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF POLITICAL CRIME, POLITICAL JUSTICE, AND POLITICAL PRISONER AND DEVELOPS A SERIES OF DEFINITIONS INTENDED TO CLARIFY THE SUBJECTS AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THEM.
Abstract
POLITICAL CRIME IS DEFINED AS LEGALLY PROSCRIBED ACTS (OR OMISSION OF LEGALLY PRESCRIBED ACTS) WHICH ARE MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY OR POWER RELATIONS THROUGH THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME, AND WHICH ARE CHARACTERIZED BY CONCERN FOR GROUP OR SOCIETAL WELFARE OVER CONSIDERATIONS OF PERSONAL GAIN. A POLITICAL CRIMINAL IS DEFINED AS ONE WHO COMMITS A POLITICAL CRIME. POLITICAL JUSTICE IS THE DISCRIMINATORY APPLICATION OF THE MACHINERY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS BECAUSE THEY ARE PERCEIVED AS THREATENING TO THE POWER OF THE ESTABLISHED REGIME. A POLITICAL PRISONER IS CHARACTERIZED AS ONE WHO IS IMPRISONED AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL CRIME, POLITICAL JUSTICE, OR BOTH. DIMENSIONS FOR A CLASSIFICATORY SCHEME OF POLITICAL CRIME ARE ALSO SUGGESTED, INCLUDING THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN CRIME AGAINST GOVERNMENT AND CRIME BY GOVERNMENT, THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF THE OFFENSE, AND THE NATURE OF THE BEHAVIOR ITSELF, WHETHER VIOLENT OR NONVIOLENT. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)