Against Cybercrime Toward a Realist Criminology of Computer Crime New Directions in Critical Criminology Series

This book advances a theoretically informed realist criminology of computer crime. Looking beyond current strategies of online crime control, this book argues for a new sort of policy that addresses the root causes of computer crime and criminality, reduces the harms experienced by the victims of such crimes, and does not unduly contribute to state and corporate power and surveillance.

Drawing both on the proponents of realist criminology and on those who have leveled critiques of the approach, Steinmetz illustrates the contours of a realist criminology of computer crime by considering definitions of harm with online crime, the idiosyncrasies of online locality and community, the social relations of computer crime, the tension between piecemeal reform and structural changes, and other matters. Furthermore, Steinmetz surveys the methodological dimensions of computer crime research, offers a critique of positivist ?computational criminology,? and posits an agenda for computer crime policy.

Against Cybercrime is an essential reading for all those engaged with cybercrime, realist criminology, criminological theory, and social harm online.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

PART I: Foundations

Realist Criminology: An Overview

Eschewing Critical Realism

Embracing Pragmatism

PART II: A Realist Criminology of Computer Crime

Toward a Realist Criminology of Computer Crime

The Mundanity of Computational Criminology

Realist Criminological Methods

What Is to be Done about Computer Crime?

Where Do We Go from Here?

Index

Kevin F. Steinmetz is Professor at the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Kansas State University, USA.