Crime and Criminal Justice: Dilemmas of Social Control Essay

Brief Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Over the years, the people and   the government seek to sustain the balance of power and the capability to maintain social order. The emergence of state policies in the executive, legislative, and judicial functions of government adhere to the people’s interest to uphold freedom and democracy through the protection of human rights and dignity and the preservation of a peaceful and prosperous society. This paper will discuss the parameters involved in determining and analyzing why and how the state policies are made and its significance to social control. Defining the Concepts   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Cochran, et.al, authors of American Public Policy: An Introduction, published in 2006, policy analysis is the interpretation and examination of underlying background and reasons behind the adoption and implementation of a particular policy. Further cited from the book, policy analysis is not value neutral but wants to discover the significance and importance to public values.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, based on the book, public policy is being enacted and implemented with purpose and intent. Moreover a public policy is given classifications according to purposes, types and goods. What is then referred to for the classification of a public policy is its relevance to moral and social values such as the application of the rule of law deterrent to crime and the enactment of punishment. However, public policy does not only empower a particular application on the rule of law that represent punishment on common crimes like burglary and theft, murder and homicide, sexual abuse, grave harassment, alarm and public scandal, among others, that are all being considered as neighborhood and street crimes. The Policy on Homeland Security   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The 9/11 US tragedy has brought about fear and insecurity to American people as they are the most vulnerable casualties of terrorist attacks. The continuing terrorist threats were determined by the US government as a clear and continuing danger to all Americans in general. Classification and Purpose of enacting the Homeland Security Act i) As Cochran, et.al pointed out, the classification of a public policy under the category or type on public security is determined by its broader scope in maintaining peace and order, adoption of the government’s security policy for the purpose of preventing internal and external threats to lives, properties and liberties of the majority of people and that, as a whole, representing the country itself. ii) For the purpose of protecting the lives and properties of American people, the US government enacted the Homeland Security Act as a national security policy that refers to responding on the urgency of US defense against adversary attack and a call for national emergency. Based on President George W. Bush’s statement addressing the American public on the enactment of the Homeland Security Act, homeland security must be a responsibility shared across the entire nation to further develop a national culture of preparedness. In addition he said that the United States’ local, Tribal, State, and Federal governments, faith-based and community organizations, and businesses must be partners in securing the homeland. Adoption of Homeland Security Act as a Public Policy President Bush’s statement on â€Å"shared responsibility† refers to the role of the American people and the US Federal government agencies to participate in civic affairs. The civic affairs is the response to national emergencies that does not only represent counter-terrorism but addressing the welfare and services. According to the 2007 US Strategy for Homeland Security, the front line role of the American public is not only to help in preventing terrorism but to respond in various natural and man-made emergencies, and the government to act on internal and external law enforcement. Based on the 2007 US Strategy for Homeland Security, it has enjoined the strictest law enforcement on crossing borders by scrutinizing the immigration of people and exportation of commodities to the US, and by empowering the capabilities of law enforcement through provision of modernized facilities. Also, the legislation of the Patriot Act and Protect America Act of 2007 has strengthened the US Judiciary to prosecute common criminals. Policy Evaluation The US Homeland Security Act is a policy that is being implemented with a broader scope. It can be noted that the enactment of the 2007 US Strategy for Homeland Security together with the Patriot Act and Protect America Act of 2007 have brought about strengthening of both national and international law enforcement. It is not only the national concern of the US government to countering terrorism but likewise to preventing the proliferation of common crimes in the homeland. Another perception that would best fit in evaluating the broadened scope of US Homeland Security Act implementation is its influencing and incorporating power to economic policies be it homeland and overseas. The sanction on law enforcement is likewise carried out at a global magnitude wherein policy on security through counter terrorism collaborates with international allied governments.       Works Cited â€Å"American Public Policy: An Introduction†. 2006. Cochran, Mayer, Carr and Cayer Thompson/Wadsworth Publishing, 8th Edition. ISBN: 0-534-60163-4. â€Å"National Strategy for Homeland Security†. October 2007. US Department of State.