Crime as a National Political Issue: 1964-76

Abstract

An examination of crime, code name "law and order," as a major political issue over four presidential campaigns commencing in 1964 leads to a number of at least tentative conclusions: ( 1) Law and order has been a campaign issue primarily for conservative candidates challenging more liberal incumbents or incumbent administrations-for example, Gold water (1964), Nixon and Wallace (1968), and Reagan ( 1976) . ( 2) The con servative proposals for handling crime have generally encompassed an ap proach to crime control based on the concepts of free will and retributive justice. (3) There are fundamental inconsistencies between the political philosophy of conservatism and certain law and order strategies for han dling crime. ( 4) The monopoly over this issue at the national level by can didates from the political right has had definite effects upon public policy regarding crime-effects that are likely to continue well into the future.

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