Crimes of the Powerful

Abstract

Crimes of the PowerfulCrime and harm are not synonymous. Some of the most harmful phenomena do not result from crimes or illegal activity. Maldistribution of wealth and life chances is integral to global capitalism and causes great harm to those living in poverty. The climate emergency threatens all forms of life but is a consequence of economic systems not illegality. This chapter examines gender and the crimes of the powerful, although 'crimes' does not necessarily imply activities that are against the law. Rather, 'crimes of the powerful' are harmful acts perpetrated by states and corporations (Rothe & Kauzlarich, 2016). It focuses on three examples: corporate crime, green crime and genocide. Unlike street crime, crimes of the powerful are not necessarily committed by an identifiable individual or group of individuals, but by the functioning of governments, institutions, organisations and entire political and economic systems.Crimes of the powerful are gendered, both in terms of perpetration and victimisation. It remains the case that around the world, men disproportionately occupy positions of power. Perhaps more significantly, norms and cultures of masculinity predominate in corporate and political institutions and systems. This does not mean women do not participate in the crimes of the powerful, or that men are not victimised by them.