Eugenics & Justice: How Early 20th Century Theories Shaped Modern Criminal Policy
Corporate Crime Reporter recently featured an in-depth interview with Dr. Anthony Grasso, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University–Camden, discussing the United States’ contrasting approaches to street and corporate crime. In the interview, Dr. Grasso delves into his book, Dual Justice: America’s Divergent Approaches to Street and Corporate Crime (University of Chicago Press, 2024), which examines how punitive measures are predominantly applied to street crimes, often affecting marginalized communities, while corporate offenses are typically addressed through more lenient regulatory controls. He traces these disparities back to the Progressive Era, highlighting how eugenic theories and societal perceptions of human difference have historically influenced the development of these dual justice systems.
Dr. Grasso’s research reveals that during the Progressive Era, scholars and lawmakers promoted naturalized theories of human difference to justify instituting punitive measures for poor offenders and regulatory controls for corporate lawbreakers. These ideas laid the foundation for dual justice systems: criminal justice institutions harshly governing street crime and regulatory institutions overseeing corporate misconduct. Since then, these institutions have evolved in tandem, reinforcing politically constructed understandings about who is considered a criminal.
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The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University–Camden equips students with an advanced understanding of criminal justice and public policy principles. The 30-credit program includes core courses in policy analysis, research methods, and data analysis, complemented by electives that allow for specialization. Designed to accommodate both working professionals and traditional students, the program offers classes primarily on weekday evenings. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in justice-related fields or for further doctoral studies.
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