The Rich Get Richer

1
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get
Prison Jeffrey Reiman
Crime as Ideology
2
The Role of Individualism in Shaping Imputation
of Cause/Source
Cultural institutions (news, drama, education)
focus on individual motivations and ignore social
conditions. There is little or no effort to
connect motive and action to social institutions
and the larger society in which thought and
behavior occur. This creates the belief that
social conditions play little or no role in the
formation of criminal behavior. Gazing
exclusively upon the obligation of the individual
hides our social responsibility to improve the
conditions of human existence. Hence we acquit
the status quo of injustice. Justice is a two
way streetbut criminal justice is a one-way
street.
3
Ignoring the Social System
Ignoring the role of the social structure,
relations, and forces in the production of
criminal motive and action creates the perception
that the present social order is reasonable and
just. Reinforces belief in the legitimacy of
present property relations. The rich, who
already have, are not out to steal what the
middle class has. The poorthe have-notsare
moved to steal what the middle class has. The
association with poverty and crime is not that
poverty causes crime, but that poverty and crime
are both the reflections of poor moral character.
4
What are the Benefits to the Rich and Powerful?
The CJ system transmits messages that reshape
middle class discontent into fear of, and
hostility towards, the poor. Fear of the
dangerous classes distracts the middle class
from the harm caused by the wealthy. The threat
to law-abiding ordinary Americans is from
belowfrom poor peopleNOT from abovethat is,
not from the affluent classes. Social
Darwinism/victim blaming The poor are morally
and/or physically defective. This is the reason
for their plight. Dont pity them. Public support
for status quo CJ ideology pushes Americans
towards a conservative and authoritarian defense
of United States society.
5
Bourgeois Ideology
Why is ideology needed? 1. There are wide
disparities of wealth and income in the United
States. 2. These disparities are so obviously
unjust that the vast majority of people who
struggle to make ends meet put up with them only
because they have been indoctrinated.