Edwin M. Schur Quote

“The uneven impact of actual enforcement measures tends to mirror and reinforce more general patterns of discrimination (along socioeconomic, racial and ethnic, sexual, and perhaps generational lines) within the society. As a consequence, such enforcement (ineffective as it may be in producing conformity) almost certainly reinforces feelings of alienation already prevalent within major segments of the population.”

~ Edwin M. Schur

Schur, Edwin (1974) Victimless crimes: Two sides of controversy. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.

Ratings and Comments


David L Rosenthal

This seems to imply that the problem lies, not in deterring crime, but in doing so without regard to the peculiar nature of the criminal; so as not to hurt anyone's feelings. in other words, if you tend to let certain types of people get away with crime, you are unfairly discriminating against the ones you punish for committing the same crime, making the discrimination a worse offense than the original crime itself. I cannot help but feel that this quote is sophism, though discrimination on the grounds mentioned is wrong.

Robert, Sarasota

Excellent! One day the bell will toll for you.

E Archer, NYC

The ruling class enforces its rules mostly on the subject classes while leaving the privileged classes alone -- except when competing for seats of power. The war on drugs is a good example. History is riddled with attempts at imposing moral judgements upon the subject classes -- and eventually all efforts fail as the hypocrisy of the rules becomes self-evident.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.