Corrupt Capital: Alcohol, Nightlife, and Crimes of the Powerful

This book explores the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to white-collar crime and corruption in the nightlife economy, using an auto-ethnographic case study and a theoretical framework on capitalism's criminogenic features. It offers a fresh perspective on these issues by examining the bar and nightlife environment, and is written in an accessible and compelling style that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate web of social, political, and economic factors that contribute to the prevalence of white-collar crime and corruption within the vibrant nightlife economy. Drawing from firsthand experiences as a former bouncer-turned-bartender in a major U.S. city, the author offers a captivating auto-ethnographic case study to shed light on the routine and deeply ingrained nature of corruption and deviance among regulators and the regulated within this dynamic environment.

Incorporating a diverse range of disciplinary perspectives, Corrupt Capital provides a scholarly yet accessible exploration of the criminogenic features and structural contradictions of capitalism. The author meticulously describes how the dominant political economy is plagued by inherent structural contradictions, which in turn give rise to a wide array of manifestations of white-collar crime, organizational deviance, and public corruption. Through the lens of the bar and nightlife environment, the author empirically supports these assertions, offering a methodological innovation that challenges the ethical and logistical constraints of conducting research in ethically and logistically challenging environments.

The writing style of Corrupt Capital is both engaging and thought-provoking, avoiding the voyeuristic and reductionist tropes that have historically been associated with dangerous fieldwork. The text employs a punchy upward narrative that avoids the tendency to condescend or simplify complex issues. Instead, it offers a nuanced and comprehensive analysis that challenges readers to think critically about the relationship between power, law, and routinized corruption in the nightlife economy.

This book appeals to a wide audience, including scholars and students in criminology, sociology, law, and society, as well as political science enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between power, law, and corruption in this dynamic sector. With its accessible and compelling prose, Corrupt Capital provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of crimes of the relatively powerful and powerless alike.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367185817