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525 Annals Am. Acad. Pol. & Soc. Sci. 8 (1993)

handle is hein.cow/anamacp0525 and id is 1 raw text is: PREFACE There are plausible explanations for the striking surge in public concern about white-collar crimes, such as toxic dumping, insider trading, political influence peddling, and fraudulent practices in the accounting, legal, and medical professions. Iconoclastic influences, fueled in particular by the in- tense reaction to the Vietnam war and the Watergate crimes, contributed to public awareness of powerful offenders. The camouflage shielding them was ripped aside, and not only Americans but people throughout the world demanded and obtained laws and enforcement that held previously inviolate persons and organizations responsible for their wrongdoing. Television also increased public awareness of white-collar crime. It vividly illustrated offenses of the powerful. In particular, 60 Minutes has made credible reports available to large audiences. Most important, this genre of shows-for example, Frontline, 20/20, and worldwide news coverage from the Cable News Network (CNN)-has made its stories relevant to television consumers who have buying power-the middle class. Television expos6s have had much the same impact as their print predecessors did 100 years ago. The muckrakers fueled a social movement at the turn of the last century by providing consumers within corporate America dramatic portrayals of industry abuses. Government and private leaders were forced to action to assuage the middle class, that group whose electoral support is so essential to putting or keeping politicians in office. Today, insider trading threatens the small Wall Street trader, environmen- tal pollution endangers the suburban dweller, and fraudulent failing savings and loans offer the prospect of escalating taxes. Simply put, not only have lower-class street criminals come to be seen as threatening the well-being of the bulk of respectable society, but upper-class and powerful offenders have come to assume the same role. The middle class has always been infuriated at those who fail to live up to the traditional Judeo-Christian values of hard work, education, and deferred gratification. They are seen as lazing in luxury on the dole, supporting themselves on crime, or committing senseless acts of violence. Now members of the upper class, including powerful politicians, are deemed equally irresponsible and are seen as taking advantage of their position to make life harder and more expensive and less responsive to middle-class demands. The articles in this volume explore issues associated with forms of white- collar offenses as well as particular instances of such behavior. White-collar crime is most generally defined as embracing illegal behavior committed in the course of a person's occupation. Whether that occupation needs to be one that carries significant power or whether secretaries, plumbers, and truck drivers as well as corporate vice presidents and surgeons may commit what 8

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