Anomie Theory
Anomie theory is important for explaining whether crime is a normal or abnormal (pathological) social phenomenon (Cartwright, 2011). It describes a lack of social norms, lawlessness and normlessness (Cartwright, 2013). In detail, it is a breakdown of social bonds between an individual and the community. This theory was first coined by Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist in his book Suicide published in 1897 (Cartwright, 2013). Later on, Robert Merton, the President of American Sociological Association, developed the link between anomie and social structure. Unlike Durkheim, Merton used the notion from Durkheim’s anomie theory and explains that social structure could exert pressure on an individual and directly cause deviance (Cartwright, 2011). This theory is better known as the Anomie-Strain Theory. Furthermore, in 1994, Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld, like Merton, brought more attention to social organization and social institutions instead of focusing on individuals when analysing crimes (Cartwright, 2011), so the Institutional-Anomie Theory was developed. In order to understand the anomie theory better, the developments of this theory from Emile Durkheim to Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld should all be considered.
For Emile Durkheim, his main concern about anomie was social solidarity (Cartwright, 2011). Based on this concern, he divided solidarity into two categories: mechanical solidarity, which maintains low adaptation skills; and to the contrary, organic solidarity whose inertia sensitively needs changes (Cartwright, 2013). Durkheim observed that these two groups would co-exist. The reason is that anomie is impossible when solidarity is organic. Their sensitivity to change leads to evolution among this form of labour. Later in 1897, Durkheim pointed out that the suicide rates were due to the dramatic economic changes, such as economic depression and the sudden growth of the economy (Cartwright, 2011). “According to Durkheim, these periods of
For Emile Durkheim, his main concern about anomie was social solidarity (Cartwright, 2011). Based on this concern, he divided solidarity into two categories: mechanical solidarity, which maintains low adaptation skills; and to the contrary, organic solidarity whose inertia sensitively needs changes (Cartwright, 2013). Durkheim observed that these two groups would co-exist. The reason is that anomie is impossible when solidarity is organic. Their sensitivity to change leads to evolution among this form of labour. Later in 1897, Durkheim pointed out that the suicide rates were due to the dramatic economic changes, such as economic depression and the sudden growth of the economy (Cartwright, 2011). “According to Durkheim, these periods of
References: Cartwright, B. (2011). The Normal and the Pathological. Social Explanations of Crime and Deviance (pp. 5-7). Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions. Cartwright, B (2011). Social Structure and Anomie. Social Explanations of Crime and Deviance (pp.20-22). Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions. Cartwright, B (2011). Crime and the American Dream. Social Explanations of Crime and Deviance (pp.51-53). Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions. Cartwright, B. (2013). “Introduction to Anomie-Strain Theory.” Criminology 104 Lecture, delivered ar Simon Fraser University on January 15, 2013. Cheng, H. (2012). Cheap Capitalism. The British Journal of Criminology, 52(2), 254-273. Merton, R.K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. In B. Cartwright (Ed.), Social Explanations of Crime and Deviance (pp.20-32). Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions. Messner, S.F. and Rosenfeld, R. (2011). Crime and the American Dream: an Institutional Analysis. In B. Cartwright (Ed.). Social Explanations of Crime and Deviance (pp.53-73). Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions.