Meddling with Monkey Metaphors - Capitalism and the Threat of Impulsive Desires

摘要: Introduction We are currently witnessing how a set of disturbing discourses is formed that concern the origin of, and "cure" for, crime deviance. This constellation part conservative worldview, that, while thoroughly contemporary, harkens back to an idealized past when social order reigned everyone knew their place. On more ominous note, it as well another concepts many had assumed were buried along with victims, i.e., call for return homogeneous Gemeinschaft, expulsion from society "Other" embodies all pathology, biologistic or hereditary explanations human behavior contingently labeled deviant. worldview its legitimating deserve serious consideration, having become increasingly acceptable within hallowed halls academia taken firm grip on public imagination, very real policy repercussions. suspect recent punitive amendments our welfare (i.e., workfare, time limitations AFDC), rapid swelling prison system, war against poor, homeless, youth, minorities, which operates under guise political "quality life" agenda (Kelling, 1996), legitimated by we intend examine. More specifically, will look at prevailing pathologies constructed. examine in particular two "core" theoretical constructs underlie this worldview. First, reconstruction sociological "culture poverty" tradition locates source deviant cultural values habits characterize "underclass." Theories poverty centering notion "underclass" have often been constructed liberal sociologists underscore structural rather than individual nature poverty. way theorists distorted these arguments describe supposedly "criminogenic" culture, which, through self-generated pathological produces reproduces socially threatening behavior. thus becomes demonized "Other," if expunged contained eliminate ills "we" suffer. Second, most manifestations reemergence sociobiological investigation, attempts locate physiological genetic abnormalities. New neurobiological findings treatment opportunities such personal problems depression, anxiety, drag dependency stimulate current popular academic focus biological roots inadequate adjustment. As successful approach may be addressing some aspects ailments, centers predisposition show neglects interactions argue explanatory model specifically dangerous applied "antisocial" acts "criminal behavior." new discourse formation, racially coded "underclass," critical lenses natural sciences. theories presented Crime Human Nature The Bell Curve. Then contemporary manifestation "cultural" explanation manifested documents DiIulio, Bennett, Walter's recently published Body Count. concept around violent, impulsive desires reified biogenetic trait differentiates between "them" "us." To illustrate reification plays upon supported research, critically relationship aggression heritable serotonin deficiencies, constitute widely quoted theory violent …