In 500 words, (based on chapters 25), explain:
(1) what is the position of Wilson and Kelling,
(2) where did the theory of Broken Windows come from,
(3) how did Wilson and Kelling support the theory.
In 500 words, please state the position of Samuel Walker in Chapter 26. He attempts to dispute several major tenets put forth by Wilson and Kelling. What are they?
In 500 words, Compare and Contrast the two approaches of policing (community in chapter 27 and problem oriented in chapter 28). Which do you think is more effective for crime control?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Theory of Broken Windows and Its Impact on Policing Strategies
Understanding Wilson and Kelling’s Position
In their seminal article “Broken Windows,” George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson introduced a theory that highlighted the importance of maintaining order in a community to prevent crime. They argued that visible signs of disorder, such as broken windows or graffiti, create an environment that signals a lack of social control and invites criminal activity. Wilson and Kelling contended that addressing minor infractions and maintaining order in public spaces could help prevent more serious crimes from occurring.
Origins of the Broken Windows Theory
The concept of broken windows policing originated from an experiment conducted in the early 1980s by social scientists Philip Zimbardo and Wesley Wilson. The experiment demonstrated that maintaining a well-ordered environment could deter criminal behavior and promote a sense of community responsibility. This experiment laid the foundation for Wilson and Kelling’s theory, which gained widespread attention for its innovative approach to crime prevention.
Support for the Broken Windows Theory
Wilson and Kelling supported their theory by drawing on examples from various cities where implementing policies focused on addressing minor offenses led to a reduction in overall crime rates. They emphasized the role of police officers in proactively addressing disorderly conduct and maintaining a visible presence in communities to deter criminal activity. By prioritizing order maintenance and community engagement, they argued that law enforcement agencies could create safer environments for residents.
Samuel Walker’s Critique of Wilson and Kelling’s Theory
In Chapter 26, Samuel Walker challenges several key tenets of Wilson and Kelling’s Broken Windows theory. One major point of contention is Walker’s argument against the notion that cracking down on minor offenses will necessarily lead to a decrease in serious crimes. He disputes the causal link between disorderly behavior and more significant criminal activities, suggesting that the relationship is more complex than Wilson and Kelling propose.
Walker also raises concerns about the potential for broken windows policing to disproportionately impact marginalized communities, leading to over-policing and strained relationships between law enforcement and residents. He questions the effectiveness of strategies that focus solely on maintaining order without addressing underlying social issues that contribute to crime.
Additionally, Walker criticizes the reliance on punitive measures in broken windows policing, advocating for more community-oriented approaches that prioritize collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local residents. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and fostering positive relationships within communities to achieve long-term crime reduction goals.
Comparing Community Policing with Problem-Oriented Policing
Community Policing (Chapter 27)
Community policing emphasizes building partnerships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. This approach involves proactive engagement with residents to address local concerns, promote trust, and prevent crime collaboratively. By involving community members in decision-making processes and problem-solving initiatives, community policing aims to create safer neighborhoods through mutual cooperation.
Problem-Oriented Policing (Chapter 28)
Problem-oriented policing focuses on identifying underlying issues that contribute to crime and developing targeted strategies to address specific problems. This approach involves analyzing data, conducting thorough assessments, and implementing tailored interventions to prevent recurring issues. Problem-oriented policing prioritizes a systematic, evidence-based approach to crime prevention that targets root causes rather than surface-level symptoms.
Effectiveness for Crime Control
While both community policing and problem-oriented policing offer valuable strategies for crime control, their effectiveness depends on the specific needs and characteristics of the communities they serve. Community policing excels in fostering positive relationships and promoting trust between law enforcement and residents, leading to improved collaboration and crime prevention efforts. On the other hand, problem-oriented policing’s focus on data-driven solutions can yield targeted interventions that address underlying issues effectively.
Ultimately, the most effective approach for crime control may involve a combination of community policing and problem-oriented policing strategies tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by each community. By integrating elements of both approaches and adapting them to local contexts, law enforcement agencies can create comprehensive crime prevention strategies that prioritize community engagement, evidence-based practices, and sustainable solutions.
