RELATIONSHIP OF FEDERAL POLITICAL CRIME INDICTMENTS TO SELECTED SOCIOPOLITICAL FACTORS IN THE UNITED STATES

• NCJ Number: 69361
• Journal: Canadian Criminology Forum Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1980) Pages: 1-10
• Author(s): J J COLLINS
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: REVISION OF A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING, NEW YORK CITY (NY), AUGUST 30, 1976.

Annotation

THIS PAPER PROPOSES A CONCEPTUAL ORIENTATION TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL CRIME AND CARRIES OUT AN EXPLORATORY EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE PROPOSED CONCEPTION BY EXAMINING THE FREQUENCY OF FEDERAL POLITICAL CRIME INDICTMENTS.

Abstract

THE INTERNAL SECURITY DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WAS CHOSEN AS THE FOCUS OF THIS STUDY OF GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF POLITICAL CRIMES AND, BY IMPLICATION, OF CERTAIN FORMS OF POLITICAL DISSENT, SINCE THIS OFFICE HAS AN EXPLICIT MANDATE TO ACT AGAINST INTERNAL SECURITY VIOLATIONS. THE PERIOD COVERED IN THIS STUDY IS 1955-73. THE DATA ON FEDERAL POLITICAL CRIME INDICTMENTS WERE RELATED TO TWO BASIC HYPOTHESES: (1) THE NUMBER OF INDICTMENTS OF THE INTERNAL SECURITY DIVISION IS INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL TO REGIME CONFIDENCE IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE (OR GOVERNMENTAL PERCEPTION OF BEING SECURELY IN POWER), AND (2) THE NUMBER OF POLITICAL INDICTMENTS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INTENSITY OF POLITICAL CONFLICT IN THE COUNTRY (IN WHICH WORK STOPPAGES ARE ALSO INCLUDED). FINDINGS OF THE EMPIRICAL STUDY TEND TO PROVE THE VALIDITY OF THE TWO CONCEPTUAL HYPOTHESES. OTHER VARIABLES WERE ALSO CONSIDERED WHICH FIT INTO THE SAME THEORETICAL CONSTRUCT. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT A KNOWLEDGE OF POLITICAL CRIME PROMOTES AN UNDERSTANDING OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY AND CONTROL, AND MAY HELP REDUCE UNJUST AND DESTRUCTIVE ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF POLITICAL DISSIDENTS. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTAINING 31 ENTRIES IS APPENDED.