[ORDER SOLUTION] Institutional Anomie Theory
For the assignment, I choose the TV series, White Collar, premiering from 2009 to 2014 created by Jeff Eastin. Basics of the show revolve around, Neal Caffrey, a famous con artist, and a thief. He eventually is captured by the FBI after years and after serving most of his time, Neil is able to convince his case detective, Peter Burke, to have him release under the FBI work release program. Niel with his expert consultation, skills, and experiences starts to help the FBI solve the white-collar crimes in the city of New York.
Institutional anomie theory is used in explaining how societal institutions promote crime. Society encourages values towards financial success but does not always promote ethics to legitimately find success. People look the other way for gains even when they do not even require it. American society always is pushing to want more and get more. When one goal is achieved others get developed after. We move to achieve more the moment we realize we can get more, regardless of needing any more or not. Willing to step over others the immoral way just to achieve more.
In season 1, episode 9 of White Collar, Peter, and Neil are looking into this mortgage fraud case where a judge, Michelle Clark, receives percentage cuts from assisting in cases for the companies, people buying houses. Judge Clark used her money to bribe other federal officers working for her, keeping her safe, looking the other way. But when they made the mistake of going after Peter and his family. Judge Clark was set up by Peter and Neil creatively to be arrested by the officer she was bribing because Peter could not get the authorization to find the illegal money Clark was hiding from them the entire time. This goes to show how people already live a respectable career with much fair pay than most peoples, it is never enough for us. We need more and we keep thriving because the world we are creating is also creating endless possibilities and opportunities. Materialism takes over ethical views. Individualism is socialized to believe they can do it on their own. No matter the ethics of its attainment.
