Crime is defined as an activity or effort exerted by an individual (or group) to gain possession of, or destroy an article (or articles) held to be of value by a person or people in society, and by extension the deliberate breaking of commonly accepted laws of that society whenever and wherever they are in place to maintain a sense of order. When viewed generally this fact extends to all things in society, animate and inanimate, animal, human, vegetable and mineral. An individual or group attempt to take possession, destroy or circumvent that which exists in the land by right of law, and which exists or has been obtained according to the legal parameters established. Criminal activity works outside of the accepted standards of society and is therefore considered illegal, and the person/s who have engaged in such activities are investigated, tried by law and if found guilty undergo a process of recompense or punishment. Criminal activity can assume many different forms: pre-meditated, opportunistic, delinquent, anti-social, homicidal… etc. The governing body of the nation establishes a specific agency to investigate, prosecute and appropriately punish those who commit crimes.
When considering the phenomena of crime we are faced by a very complex social duality: the difference between what is good for society and that which is against it, the age-old schism of good versus evil. For the most part individuals work towards the good of society and their nation, their activities are beneficial and contribute to successful growth and equal recompense is their reward. Such unselfish dedication enhances the overall health of society. Criminals on the other hand seek another path in life which is by nature predatory. They are stimulated by personal gain at whatever cost, they seek to collect by illegal and alternative means and are therefore at odds with the general flow of society as a whole. Crime it seems is an inherent aspect of all societies and nations throughout history, even in societies where the maximum penalty of death has been established it has been insufficient to prevent criminal activity. Some may consider the benefits of crime include the establishment and maintenance of a criminal justice system, which employs citizens in a continued and persistent effort to eradicate and control activity. Yet a crime-ridden society is the justification for the upkeep of such judicial systems and vice-versa.
Every rational social organism needs the dimension of laws in order to fluidly proceed for the good of all citizens and ensure their well-being. Those that break laws commonly accepted by the masses have demonstrated by their actions that they have forgone the benefits of a good social order and should be rightly punished for their crimes. History shows us that criminal activity is always present in society, it persists - yet as we recognize this sad fact we should not slacken in our zeal to minimize it and expunge it from our midsts. Despite this, criminals should be treated with all humanity and given the opportunity to learn, reform and develop into good citizens.
All Rights Reserved / Copyright David John Drew 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment