Prelims

Half Title Page

RICH CRIME, POOR CRIME

Endorsement Page

Praise for Rich Crime, Poor Crime

“This is an extraordinarily important book on how inequality shapes, and is shaped by, the law and criminal justice system. A must-read for everyone concerned with social justice.”

Kate E. Pickett, Professor of Epidemiology, University of York, UK

“Colin Webster is to be congratulated for producing such an insightful book at a time when a discussion of the relationships between inequality and crime is needed more than ever. Drawing on a range of existing studies, Webster takes us on a journey from early modern England to the present day, illuminating how contemporary British society is founded on a legacy of past exploitation by elites against the populous. In examining the conditions of extreme inequality that give rise to both crimes committed by the poor and crimes committed by the rich, Webster provides us with the text 1973's The New Criminology suggested was needed.”

Stephen Farrall, Professor of Criminology, University of Nottingham, UK

“In this brilliant book, Colin Webster shows that today's billionaire kleptocrats and oligarchs are, in reality, the capitalist ‘children’ of their robber forebears. With a critical eye firmly on the violent and plundering historical role of states, companies and the upper classes Webster provides a passionate, detailed and sweeping review of the myriad abuses of humanity that became enshrined in elite-state formations and law, alongside the power they came to wield with colonial expansion. As the winners of the economic system strode and plundered the globe's resources, new forms and extremes of damage to populations were unleashed, sanctified in law. A work of scholarship, insight and relevant example, Rich Crime, Poor Crime reinvigorates debate about the complex roots of harm in the societies and economies we all inhabit. This is a history of harm absolutely for our time today.”

Rowland Atkinson, Chair in Inclusive Societies, University of Sheffield, UK

Title Page

RICH CRIME, POOR CRIME

Inequality and the Rule of Law

By

Colin Webster

Leeds Beckett University, UK

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK

First edition 2023

Copyright © 2023 Colin Webster.

Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited.

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-83909-825-3 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-83909-822-2 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-83909-824-6 (Epub)

Dedication Page

I thank my wife Carol Douglas for her patience.

Contents