Deterrence and Marginal Groups

Abstract

The critical importance of the criminal law as a threatening mechanism is restricted to those who must be threatened in order to secure their compliance. In regard to most "serious" crimes, the socialization process rather than the direct threat of a par ticular legal penalty keeps most people law abiding. Yet, in both the discussion of deterrence and the interpretation of movements in crime rates, this is often overlooked. The theoretical model dealing with "marginal groups" proposed here is designed to focus attention on this problem and enable us to comprehend and cope with it. It provides a frame of reference and an overall perspective for planning research in this field and for interpreting its results.