Despite Trinidad and Tobago’s wealth, experts say 25% live below the poverty line. According to Sookram (2008) more than a ¼ of the population of oil-rich Trinidad lives below poverty line. Sookram said that 27.32% live below the poverty level despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago has been classified as a high income country by the World Bank. “Is this why the crime rate in Trinidad and Tobago is probably the highest in the Caribbean?” David Garland (1996), posits that the group that suffer the most from crime tend to be the poorest and the least powerful members of society and will usually lack the resources to but security or the flexibility to adapt their routines or organized effectively against crime. This disparity between the rich and the poor which overlaps with the developing divisions between property- owning classes and those social groups who are deemed a threat to property will tend to propel us towards criminal behaviour.
The term ‘rich’ may be defined as “the possession of material wealth, having abundant supply of desirable qualities or substances especially natural resources, having control of such assets and benefiting from the legislation.” In contrast, ‘poor’ refers to the lack of specific resources, qualities or substances, with little or no possessions or money, having less than adequate in relation to the upper classes/the rich and wealthy. Socio-economic status is an economic and sociological combined measure of a persons work experience and of individual’s or family’s economic and social position relative to others based on income, education , wealth, occupation and social status in the community. As a result of this unequal distribution issue that arises between the rich and the poor, Clarke, Twoey (2001), has put fort the equitable solution arguing that one must eliminate the differences of rich and poor, and all man should be treated equally in the eyes of the law.
The distribution of wealth has always been uneven in Trinidad and Tobago. There are also extremes of wealth and poverty. The wealthy minority is made up of those with interest in the private sector manufacturing and it is widely rumoured in politics state co operations. The richest citizens in Trinidad are to be seen in the hill side suburbs of Port-of-Spain, where large villas boast satellites dishes and swimming pools. Trinidad and Tobago’s rich tend to live a transnational lifestyle, with assets and interest in the US.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Defining Rich and Poor
- Wealth Distribution in Trinidad and Tobago
- Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Inequality
- The Criminal Justice System and Inequality
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the statement "In Trinidad, the rich get richer and the poor get prison," examining the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and incarceration in Trinidad and Tobago. It explores whether the criminal justice system disproportionately affects the poor and whether this reflects broader societal inequalities.
- Socioeconomic disparities in Trinidad and Tobago
- The correlation between poverty and crime rates
- Analysis of sociological perspectives on crime (Marxist, Conflict, Functionalist, Interactionist, Social Learning)
- The role of the criminal justice system in perpetuating inequality
- The impact of government policies on crime and poverty
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the paper by presenting the core question: "In Trinidad, the rich get richer and the poor get prison?" It uses statistics on poverty in Trinidad and Tobago despite its wealth to highlight the disparity between economic classes. The introduction also introduces David Garland's perspective on crime and the disproportionate impact on the poorest members of society, laying the groundwork for a critical examination of the relationship between wealth, poverty, and incarceration.
Defining Rich and Poor: This section provides definitions for "rich" and "poor," moving beyond simple monetary terms to encompass control of resources and societal influence. It introduces the concept of socioeconomic status as a combined measure of economic and social standing, emphasizing the unequal distribution of wealth as a root cause of social problems and ultimately crime. The chapter connects the disparities in socioeconomic status to Clarke and Twoey's equitable solution suggesting the need for equal treatment under the law, regardless of wealth.
Wealth Distribution in Trinidad and Tobago: This chapter details the uneven distribution of wealth in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the stark contrast between the wealthy minority, often with ties to the private sector and politics, and the impoverished majority residing in deprived inner-city areas. It connects the high unemployment rates, particularly among young people, to the rise in violent crime fueled by drugs and gang activity. The chapter also touches upon racial tensions within the society, illustrating how social mobility is limited for poor families, thus contributing to the cycle of poverty and crime.
Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Inequality: This section analyzes various sociological perspectives on crime and inequality. It examines Marxist and Conflict theories, highlighting the view that the criminal justice system acts in the interests of the wealthy elite. Functionalist and Interactionist views are also discussed, exploring how societal structures and social reactions contribute to defining and perpetuating crime. The chapter also incorporates social learning theory to explain the impact of environment on criminal behaviour, and subculture theory to understand how poverty and unemployment can lead to the development of deviant subcultures.
The Criminal Justice System and Inequality: This chapter focuses on the application of the theories presented earlier to the Trinidadian context. It analyzes Reiman's "Pyrrhic defeat theory," which argues that the criminal justice system is designed to fail in reducing crime, thereby maintaining the status quo and protecting the interests of the wealthy. It examines how the criminal justice system in Trinidad and Tobago may contribute to the perception that crime is primarily a problem of the poor, while neglecting the criminal acts of the wealthy. The chapter concludes by highlighting the lack of government investment in addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and unemployment.
Keywords
Socioeconomic inequality, crime, poverty, incarceration, Trinidad and Tobago, criminal justice system, Marxist theory, conflict theory, functionalism, interactionism, social learning theory, subculture theory, wealth distribution, social mobility, unemployment.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analyzing the Statement "In Trinidad, the Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison"
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the statement "In Trinidad, the rich get richer and the poor get prison," examining the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and incarceration in Trinidad and Tobago. It investigates whether the criminal justice system disproportionately impacts the poor and if this reflects broader societal inequalities.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include socioeconomic disparities in Trinidad and Tobago, the correlation between poverty and crime rates, various sociological perspectives on crime (Marxist, Conflict, Functionalist, Interactionist, Social Learning), the role of the criminal justice system in perpetuating inequality, and the impact of government policies on crime and poverty.
How does the paper define "rich" and "poor"?
The paper goes beyond simple monetary definitions, encompassing control of resources and societal influence. It introduces socioeconomic status as a combined measure of economic and social standing, highlighting the unequal distribution of wealth as a root cause of social problems and crime.
What is the wealth distribution like in Trinidad and Tobago?
The paper details the uneven wealth distribution, showing a stark contrast between a wealthy minority (often connected to the private sector and politics) and an impoverished majority in deprived areas. High unemployment, particularly among youth, is linked to rising violent crime fueled by drugs and gangs. Racial tensions and limited social mobility for poor families contribute to the cycle of poverty and crime.
What sociological perspectives are used to analyze crime and inequality?
The paper analyzes Marxist and Conflict theories (highlighting the criminal justice system serving the wealthy elite), Functionalist and Interactionist views (exploring societal structures and social reactions), Social Learning theory (explaining environmental impact on criminal behavior), and Subculture theory (linking poverty and unemployment to deviant subcultures).
How does the paper analyze the role of the criminal justice system?
The paper applies the presented theories to the Trinidadian context, examining Reiman's "Pyrrhic defeat theory" – that the system is designed to fail in reducing crime, maintaining the status quo and protecting the wealthy. It explores how the system may contribute to the perception that crime is primarily a poor person's problem, neglecting the wealthy's criminal acts. The lack of government investment in addressing poverty and unemployment is also highlighted.
What are the chapter summaries?
The paper includes detailed summaries of an introduction, a chapter defining rich and poor, a chapter on wealth distribution in Trinidad and Tobago, a chapter on sociological perspectives on crime and inequality, and a concluding chapter on the criminal justice system and inequality. Each summary provides a concise overview of the key arguments and findings of each chapter.
What are the objectives of the paper?
The paper aims to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and incarceration in Trinidad and Tobago, exploring whether the criminal justice system disproportionately affects the poor and whether this reflects broader societal inequalities.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include socioeconomic inequality, crime, poverty, incarceration, Trinidad and Tobago, criminal justice system, Marxist theory, conflict theory, functionalism, interactionism, social learning theory, subculture theory, wealth distribution, social mobility, and unemployment.
- Quote paper
- BSc, MSc Stacy Ramdhan (Author), 2010, "In Trinidad the rich get richer and the poor get prison." , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/175785
