Crime and its Socioeconomic and Political Gains
Crime and criminal related activities have dominated the socioeconomic and political atmosphere since man became in existence. Adverse policies have been formulated and implemented, to include capital offenses, but the vice proves dominant. Even though the society associates crime with negative connotations, they have failed to realize the socioeconomic and political gains that are derived from the vice as discussed in this paper.
Social and Political Transformation
Going against the socially accepted norms of ethical behavior brings a substantial amount of transformation into the society (Durkheim para2). When there has been crime, the nation gets an opportunity to determine the validity of the violated norm. In addition, it helps in evaluating the socioeconomic and political strides that the community has made (Thompson para5). An increase in the incidences of crime, for instance, is a pointer to a crumbling society and thus need for urgency to establish quicker and efficient interventions before the situation escalates beyond the society capacity to act. The response can adopt the form of law formulation and subsequent implementation or total removal of the law. If we live in a "society of saints" with each person ardent law-abiding, it is a challenge to notice any flaws and the course of action to be taken in mitigation efforts. A case example is the recent enactment of a policy that legitimizes same-sex relationship. The massive increase in the LGBT populations necessitated the need for the reconsideration of the stand towards such sexual orientations. The enactment of the law has witnessed same-sex marriages with little to no public outrage suggesting its acceptability.
Affirming the Moral Boundaries
The mainstream society requires crimes to be committed affirming the moral superiority of the culture to individuals who commit the crime. The nation becomes divided between law-abiding and the offenders (Thompson para6). There is a stronger bond that binds the law-abiding segment of the population and since they form the majority, their unison isolates criminals and projects a collective voice in shunning deviance to acceptable societal behaviors. They develop an "Us against them" attitude and in the long run establish institutions that act to eliminate or rehabilitate individuals portraying deviant behaviors. Through crime, society can define an ideal path leading to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors and amongst themselves.
Opportunities and Economic Development
Crime is also an equal opportunity employer (Gans p117). An increase in the rates of crime results into subsequent increase in the demand for law enforcement officers to help in apprehending criminal elements. The increase will also require improvement of the general prison infrastructure increasing the job availability to those in building and construction where they can exploit their experiences as well as receive income. Crime also enriches such professions like law, demand for court clerks, need for social workers in rehabilitation services just to mention few. Individuals for instance are awarded diplomas, degrees and postgraduate certificates to sharpen their skills in maintaining law and order suggesting a more profound contribution of crime to the development of such academic disciplines.
Gentrification and Urban Renewal
Moreover, crime acts as a form of gentrification especially when the government wants to facelift an area to achieve middle class status. The government can decide to increase tax in essential commodities making the economically deprived relocate to areas they can afford or resort to crime to survive (Gans p119). In so doing, the law catches up with the culprits, incarcerates them into confinements to relive the society off fear of muggings for example. In the jails, the government can help them by imparting artisan skills that after being released enhance independence. The convicts can also be used as a source of cheap labor to undertake dead end and physically dirty jobs at lowest cost (Gans p116).
Freedom of Expression
Crime helps in diffusing tension through freedom of expression. People who may have a different perception, which is in contradiction to the standard rules, might use crime as a safety valve to express their resentments ("Sociological Theories of Deviance" para 1). A case example may include children who might be angered with some of the rules their guardians or parents set. They are capable of acting in small ways which helps them in exhausting the bitterness and thus sees no need to challenge the family norms. They can either choose to isolate themselves by moving to what they perceive as friendly environments. Since norms are universal, they will meet the same fate and thus lack any alternative but to conform. Nonetheless, they have got an opportunity to express their deviant behavior and witnessed the repercussions.
Punishment and Unity
There are punishments that are meted on individuals that have committed a criminal activity (Thompson para5). The course of actions varies from one society to the next. The use of punishment can act to deter undertaking of the criminal activity. The punishment, to that extent, transforms behavior making an individual conform to the societal norms failure to which he might be subjected to severe punishment leading to excommunication or even death. The punishment, in addition, affirms the community commitment in living according to their set standards which gives a community identity as well as act as a source of unity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, employment opportunities, social change, source of identity, as well as enhancement of individual freedom of expressions, are the benefits that the society derives from crime.
Works cited
Durkheim: Crime serves a Social Function. (2012, October 18). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from
https://kpulawandsociety.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/durkheim-crime-serves-a-social-function/
Gans, Herbert J. "The benefits of poverty." Challenge 55.1 (2012): 114-125.
Sociological Theories of Deviance. (2015, July 21). Retrieved August 7, 2015, from
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/deviance-social-control-and-crime-7/theories-of-crime-and-deviance-61/sociological-theories-of-deviance-371-10205/
Thompson, C. (2009, January 16). Functionalist perspective of crime. Retrieved August 6, 2015, from http://sociologytwynham.com/2009/01/16/functionalist-perspective-of-crime/
