1. THE DARK SIDE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
Steven F. Messner
Department of Sociology
University at Albany
State University of New York

2. Overview Background Empirical Foundations
An Analytic Model of Social Organization and Crime
Applications of the Theoretical Arguments in Cross-National Research
Implications for Reducing Crime

3. Background: Standing on Merton’s Shoulders
The Insights of SS&A
Universalistic Goals
Blocked Access to Legitimate Means
Strain Towards Anomie
Limitations of SS&A
Restrictive Conceptualization of Social Structure
Neglect of Complementarities of Culture and Social Structure

4. The Empirical Context: Quantitative Evidence
International Comparisons of Robbery Rates
International Comparisons of Homicide Rates
Trends in U. S. Homicide Rates

8. The Empirical Context: Qualitative Evidence
Crime in the Suites
Extreme Losses
Recurrent Scandals
Crime in the Streets
Zones of Devastation

9. Cultural Dynamics Working Definition of the American Dream
“ … a broad cultural commitment to the goal of material success, to be pursued by everyone, under conditions of open, individual competition.”

10. Cultural Dynamics (continued)
Value Foundations
Achievement Orientation
Competitive Individualism
Universalism
Monetary Fetishism
Strain Towards Anomie

11. Structural Dynamics Institutional Foci
Economy, Polity, Family, Education
Structural Integration of Institutions
Institutional Balance of Power
Economic Dominance
Devaluation
Accommodation
Penetration

13. MODERATING EFFECTS: Savolainan Rosenfeld and Messner Figure 5.
Selected Empirical Applications of Institutional Anomie Theory (IAT) to Homicide
MAIN EFFECTS:
Messner and Rosenfeld
Decommodification
Homicide Rates
MODERATING EFFECTS:
Savolainan
Income Inequality
Homicide Rates
Decommodification
Rosenfeld and Messner
Change in Unemployment Rate
Change in Homicide Rate
Decommodification

16. Implications for Crime Reduction
Institutional Reform
Revitalizing Non-economic Institutions
Cultural Regeneration
Reinventing the American Dream

17. Thank you!