Edwin Sutherland (sociologist)

Edwin Sutherland was an American sociologist best known for developing the concept of "white-collar crime," which refers to non-violent crimes committed by individuals in their professional lives, often for financial gain. He argued that these crimes, such as fraud or embezzlement, were as harmful as traditional street crimes but often went unpunished. Sutherland emphasized the role of society in shaping criminal behavior and advocated for the study of crime within its social context, highlighting the importance of understanding how power and inequality influence crime. His work has significantly impacted criminology and sociology.