Why should we be concerned about white-collar crime? You can use the following critical thinking questions to help guide your thinking about white-collar crime as you study this chapter.
1. As a future business manager, you may be forced to make tough decisions regarding white-collar crime. Imagine that you discover that one of your employees planned to offer a bribe to an agent from the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent your company from being fined.Although the result of the potential bribe could greatly benefit your company, you know that the bribe is illegal.What conflicting ethical norms are involved in your decision?
Clue: Review the list of ethical norms offered in Chapter 1.
2. White-collar crime is typically not violent crime. Therefore, many people assume that street crime is more serious and should receive harsher punishment. Can you generate some reasons why that assumption is false? Why might white-collar crimes deserve more severe sentences?
Clue: Reread the introductory paragraphs that provide information about white-collar crime.Why might a business manager deserve a more severe sentence than a young woman who commits a robbery? What are the consequences of both actions? Think about white-collar crime against this background as you study this chapter.
3. If a judge strongly valued justice, do you think he or she would give a lighter sentence to a business manager who embezzled $50,000 than to a person who robbed a bank of $50,000? Why?
Clue: Think about the definitions of justice offered in Chapter 1.