Importance of the Concept “Governing Through Crime”

Society in America is experiencing times of the lowest crime rates could be observed. Despite the opportunities to protect the society and create safe living and working conditions, there are also a number of serious concerns and the fear of crime in the American society. In his book, Jonathan Simon discusses the emphasis of such situation and the existing contradictions by introducing the concepts of “governing through crime” and “governing crime”. Simons talks about fear in America concerning safety and crimes. He depicts the culture of fear in to clarify the implications that can be offered to the Americans, who want to avoid the complications of crime and their fears. Simon expresses ways of how people should comprehend the law and society, use the idea to govern through crime, and try not to confuse it with a similar idea, “governing crime”.