Al Capone's Crimes Explained Through Criminology Theory
This paper examines the criminal history of Al Capone, focusing on his federal indictments for income tax evasion and conspiracy to violate Prohibition laws. Using two major criminological frameworks — Merton's Theory of Anomie and the General Strain Theory — the paper analyzes the social and economic conditions that contributed to Capone's criminal behavior. It argues that class inequality, limited legitimate opportunity, and personal experiences of mistreatment and frustration in a prejudiced social environment all played significant roles in driving Capone toward organized crime and tax evasion during the 1920s and early 1930s.
- Introduction: Capone's Charges and Theoretical Framework: Capone's indictments and two explanatory criminology theories
- Al Capone's Criminal Background: Capone's upbringing, gang membership, and criminal record
- Merton's Theory of Anomie and Capone: Class inequality and opportunity gaps driving Capone's crimes
- The General Strain Theory and Capone: Anger, frustration, and social mistreatment fueling criminal behavior
- Conclusion: Both theories together explain Capone's criminality
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What makes this paper effective
- It grounds a well-known historical case in formal criminological theory, moving beyond biography into analytical explanation.
- It clearly contrasts two related but distinct theories — Merton's Anomie and the General Strain Theory — before applying each separately to the same subject.
- It uses specific details from Capone's background (neighborhood, ethnicity, education) as concrete evidence supporting each theoretical claim.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied theoretical analysis: introducing two criminological frameworks in the abstract, then systematically mapping their key variables (opportunity disparity, cultural aspiration, anger, mistreatment) onto documented biographical facts. This case-study-to-theory structure is a standard method in criminology courses and shows how theoretical models function as interpretive lenses rather than rigid explanations.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens by stating Capone's charges and previewing the two theories. It then provides criminal background context before dedicating the central section to applying both theories in sequence — first Merton's Anomie, then the General Strain Theory. Each application draws on specific historical evidence. A brief conclusion synthesizes the dual-theory framework. The structure follows a classic criminology case-study format: fact → theory → application → conclusion.
Introduction: Capone's Charges and Theoretical Framework
In 1931, Al Capone was indicted for income tax evasion that occurred during the years 1925 to 1929. In addition, he was charged with the offense of failing to file tax returns for the years 1928 and 1929. As a result, the government charged that he owed $200,000 in taxes from his gambling profits. A third indictment was added in which Capone was charged with conspiracy to infringe Prohibition laws from 1922 to 1931.
There are various theories that can be used to help explain Capone's involvement in the crimes he was convicted of. Two of the major theories that shed light on his offenses are Merton's Theory of Anomie and the General Strain Theory. The basis for Merton's Theory of Anomie is that opportunities to reach the top are unequally distributed in a class-oriented society. By contrast, the General Strain Theory argues that a person's criminal behavior is closely associated with anger and frustration when he or she receives unwanted treatment in a social relationship.
Generally, there are various theories developed in the field of criminology to help dissect the reasons for a person's involvement in criminal activities. Merton's Theory of Anomie emphasizes two significant elements present in any society: cultural aspirations — the objectives people strive for — and the accepted or institutionalized means for achieving desired results. The stability of a society requires reasonable integration of these two elements, whereas a disparity between them contributes to frustration and strain. Through this theory, Merton argues that lower-class people have the greatest proportion of crime because they have fewer opportunities to achieve their goals through legitimate means ("Strain and Cultural Deviance Theories," p. 109).
As a revision of Merton's theory, the General Strain Theory states that the failure to attain material goals is not the only reason for involvement in crime; rather, anger and frustration from mistreatment in a social relationship also contribute to committing offenses. Both theories apply to Capone's case of tax evasion and violation of Prohibition laws, since his actions may have been caused by failure to achieve material gains in a class-oriented society as well as by anger and frustration arising from an unhealthy social environment.
Works Cited
"Al Capone." History Files. Chicago History Society, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
Fragoso, Helda. "Al Capone." Department of Computer Science. [University], n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Al Capone — A Biography of the Iconic American Gangster." About.com — 20th Century History. About.com, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
"Strain and Cultural Deviance Theories." PART 2 — Explanations of Crime and Criminal Behavior. pp. 106–13. Print.
United States. U.S. Department of Justice. Famous Cases & Criminals — Al Capone. Federal Bureau of Investigation, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
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