Performative Regulation: A Case Study in How Powerful People Avoid Criminal Labels

31 Pages Posted: 8 Mar 2009

See all articles by Simon Mackenzie

Simon Mackenzie

University of Glasgow

Penny Green

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: February 4, 2008

Abstract

This paper explores the role of invested powerful business actors in the criminalisation process as applied to the illicit antiquities market. We present a case study of the precise mechanics of the role played by trade interests in the formation of the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003. This process involved the trade's entering appearance in the legislative process and neutralising the possible constraining effects on its members of the new criminal offence which was to be created. We begin by exploring the political, historical and economic context in which discussion of the terms of the 2003 Act first began. We then follow the Act from its genesis through its various stages of drafting and re-drafting, to its enactment. This case study of a single piece of legislation provides further data to add to the line of prior research that illustrates that powerful white-collar criminals, as well as sometimes preventing criminal legislation entering the statute books, can also influence the design of criminal legislation that does enter the statute books in order to protect themselves and their own business interests. We also use this case study of a process of contemporary law-making to outline the concept of performative regulation: broadly, that which in appearance serves political ends but in practice effects an inconsequential level of control.

Keywords: White-collar crime, antiquities, looted, regulation, power, dealing, cultural objects.

Suggested Citation

Mackenzie, Simon and Green, Penny, Performative Regulation: A Case Study in How Powerful People Avoid Criminal Labels (February 4, 2008). British Journal of Criminology, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 138-153, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1355208

Simon Mackenzie (Contact Author)

University of Glasgow ( email )

The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research
Florentine House, 53 Hillhead St
Glasgow, G12 8QF
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk

Penny Green

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

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