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Preventing State Crimes Against Society

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ldehavensmith{at}fsu.edu.

	Abstract

This article analyzes U.S. vulnerabilities to state crimes against democracy (SCADs). SCADs are actions or inactions by government insiders intended to manipulate democratic processes and undermine popular sovereignty. Watergate and Iran–Contra are well-known examples of SCADs involving top officials. SCADs in high office are difficult to detect and successfully prosecute because they are usually complex and compartmentalized; investigations are often compromised by conflicts of interests; and powerful norms discourage speculation about corruption in high office. However, liberal democracies can reduce their vulnerability to state political criminality by identifying vulnerabilities proactively and instituting policies for SCAD detection and prevention.

First published on July 9, 2009, doi:10.1177/0095399709339014

Administration & Society 2009;41:527.

A more recent version of this article appeared on September 1, 2009


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