Shady business: On the history of white-collar crime

Abstract

White-collar crime is a daily topic in the news but by no means a new phenomenon. The article invites readers to explore the historical dimensions of these very specific offences. It discusses how to define white-collar crime and how to analyse it. It names six characteristics of white-collar crime, namely the preponderance of upper and middle-class delinquents, the motivation of financial gain, non-violence, systemic character, the breach of trust, and diffuse victimisation. It also highlights additional aspects for a working definition which can be applied to various and even rapidly changing historical contexts. The history of white-collar crime draws attention to the intersection of business and the law, and to its interaction with innovation, moral discourse and public perception, as well as with the changing nature of state policies during the past two centuries. The article introduces the special issue and discusses methods and approaches suited to analysing ‘shady business’.