State Criminology

Criminology is a complex discipline that can be viewed through many different stances. It is something that changes throughout time, depends on a historical and social context. Indigenous populations, colonisation and state crimes all show various linkages, and together help to develop an understanding of how criminology has become what it is today. Through looking at these three characteristics, it is possible to see how the relationship between these three concepts help to form society as we know it today. With the use of Anglo-settler state examples, it is possible to furthermore understand society through concepts such as indigenous populations; colonisation; and state crimes.

Indigenous populations can be found throughout the world.

The definition of state crime proposed by Green and Ward look into state crime as being something that includes two things: violation of human rights; and organizational state deviance (Ward & Green, 2000). State crimes pose to be one of the most unforgivable, alarming crimes that are usually overlooked. The state abuses its power and harms the society, in which it is meant to protect. The state alters the rules to fit the purpose in which it needs. By altering the law, the state sees no wrongdoing in the unforgivable crimes they are committing, so continue to abuse the rights of their citizens. State crimes seem to effect the indigenous populations more than the general population, purely as they as are a minority. They are seen to have different beliefs, values and rituals to the settlers. The Europeans use this difference to their advantage by disadvantaging the indigenous people. They commit crimes in which harm the indigenous population, all for gain for the general

These concepts can work together to explain different situations where power and criminal acts appear within history. Through examples of Anglo-settler states, it is possible to see how indigenous people were and still are racially discriminated against, and thought of as second class citizens. This type of discrimination still happens today, but is not to the extremes as what it was. The main example I will discuss is through the indigenous population of Aboriginals in Australia, and then go on to discuss the Maori population within New Zealand. Through looking at the indigenous peoples it is possible to see how colonisation can effect individuals so negatively. The governments and the state, abuse their rights and enforce racism within the country. Ultimately they commit state crimes, which are undescribed and extremely insensitive to the indigenous