3. Discuss the criminogenic institutional frameworks that facilitated the white-collar crimes at Enron including collusive networks, political influence and corruption, and the ideology of deregulation.
Prior to its demise, Enron, an American energy, commodities, and services company, was one of Wall Street’s highest rated companies. Enron was regarded as one of the most powerful and successful corporations in the world. Unfortunately, as everyone would learn later rather than sooner, their success did not come without a price. Enron Corporation deceived the American public by portraying an illusion of legitimacy. Through collusive networks with control agents, agents that are supposed to protect shareholders and investors by serving as a check against fraud and other form of financial abuse, Enron was able to do whatever it took …show more content…
Central to general theory of crime is the notion that humans tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain; it is in our nature (human nature). According to this theory, most crimes are simple to commit, they do not require long-term planning. This means that white-collar criminals do not specialize in specific crimes, but tend to commit a variety of crimes because crime has quick and certain benefits with minimal effort (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990). According to self-control theory, people commit crimes in attempt to satisfy desires and that this impulsive behavior is caused by low self-control. Low self-control is a personality trait explained at the individual level. It includes attitudinal and behavioral characteristics. Attitudinal characteristics consist of risk-taking, impulsivity, aggression, self-centered attitudes, and insensitivity to needs and opinions of others. Behavioral characteristics are composed of attractive behaviors including risky driving, drug and alcohol use, unstable employment and smoking (Gottfredson & Hirschi,
Prior to its demise, Enron, an American energy, commodities, and services company, was one of Wall Street’s highest rated companies. Enron was regarded as one of the most powerful and successful corporations in the world. Unfortunately, as everyone would learn later rather than sooner, their success did not come without a price. Enron Corporation deceived the American public by portraying an illusion of legitimacy. Through collusive networks with control agents, agents that are supposed to protect shareholders and investors by serving as a check against fraud and other form of financial abuse, Enron was able to do whatever it took …show more content…
Central to general theory of crime is the notion that humans tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain; it is in our nature (human nature). According to this theory, most crimes are simple to commit, they do not require long-term planning. This means that white-collar criminals do not specialize in specific crimes, but tend to commit a variety of crimes because crime has quick and certain benefits with minimal effort (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990). According to self-control theory, people commit crimes in attempt to satisfy desires and that this impulsive behavior is caused by low self-control. Low self-control is a personality trait explained at the individual level. It includes attitudinal and behavioral characteristics. Attitudinal characteristics consist of risk-taking, impulsivity, aggression, self-centered attitudes, and insensitivity to needs and opinions of others. Behavioral characteristics are composed of attractive behaviors including risky driving, drug and alcohol use, unstable employment and smoking (Gottfredson & Hirschi,