Leisure, Market and Leisure, Market and Crime in Greece: Crime in Greece: Friends or Foes?Friends or Foes?

DR STRATOS GEORGOULASDR STRATOS GEORGOULASAss. ProfessorAss. Professor

Director of Lab for Sociology of Youth, Director of Lab for Sociology of Youth, Sports and LeisureSports and Leisure

University of the AegeanUniversity of the Aegean

Leisure, Market and Crime in Leisure, Market and Crime in Greece: Friends or Foes?Greece: Friends or Foes?

structures of supervision and structures of supervision and mechanisms of control in Greece mechanisms of control in Greece determine the management of determine the management of leisureleisure

formal social control functions only in formal social control functions only in a complementary way and only in a complementary way and only in relation to the control of a parallel relation to the control of a parallel market, existing outside the sphere market, existing outside the sphere of the dominant market. of the dominant market.

DefinitionsDefinitions

the analytical tool of the analytical tool of leisureleisure will be will be used as a concept describing a used as a concept describing a privileged social time in modern privileged social time in modern societiessocieties

a field of comprehension of the a field of comprehension of the hierarchy of social values, that is, hierarchy of social values, that is, a social construction readjustable a social construction readjustable to the circumstances and the to the circumstances and the social actors (G. Pronovost,1990). social actors (G. Pronovost,1990).

LEISURELEISURE

delimited within the social context; delimited within the social context; determined historically and socially. determined historically and socially. The division of power and discipline The division of power and discipline runs through it the same way it runs runs through it the same way it runs through all social phenomenathrough all social phenomena

The dominance of one management The dominance of one management pattern of ‘free time’, is the pattern of ‘free time’, is the crystallized effect of this cultural crystallized effect of this cultural dominance of the urban - industrial - dominance of the urban - industrial - commercial culture. Dominance commercial culture. Dominance leads, through control, to conformism leads, through control, to conformism and homogeneityand homogeneity

CRIMECRIME

crime does not constitute an crime does not constitute an objective fact, but a social objective fact, but a social construction, readjustable to the construction, readjustable to the changing social conditionschanging social conditions

not a reflection of the God - given not a reflection of the God - given “natural law” “natural law”

not the product of free will but not the product of free will but something influenced by factors something influenced by factors within a wide social contextwithin a wide social context

CRIMECRIME

Characterised by the division of power and Characterised by the division of power and discipline. Penalisation of behaviours not discipline. Penalisation of behaviours not the result of the entire society’s consensual the result of the entire society’s consensual outcry but an attempt to promote and outcry but an attempt to promote and defend values and interests of groups with defend values and interests of groups with great political and economic power.great political and economic power.

Since the penalisation of behaviours Since the penalisation of behaviours function by the results of social conflict, we function by the results of social conflict, we expect no elements of conflict between expect no elements of conflict between market and the legal systemmarket and the legal system

low rates of criminality for a social low rates of criminality for a social phenomenon with a high level of market phenomenon with a high level of market self-regulation, as is leisure.self-regulation, as is leisure.

LEISURE CONTROLLEISURE CONTROL

electronic gamblingelectronic gambling the state (which has zero income from the state (which has zero income from

this kind of activity) naturally wants to this kind of activity) naturally wants to supplement market control with supplement market control with repression via legislative regulation repression via legislative regulation and penalization of behaviours- and penalization of behaviours- Presidential Decree 36/1994Presidential Decree 36/1994

A law with few legal institutions of A law with few legal institutions of electronic gambling (oligopoly) is electronic gambling (oligopoly) is better than anarchy in the market of better than anarchy in the market of this leisure product.this leisure product.

RESEARCHRESEARCH

Data: Data: Greek National Statistics Greek National Statistics OrganizationOrganization 1991-19961991-1996

a research of state repression-a research of state repression-concerns the implementation of concerns the implementation of legislation patterns in relation to legislation patterns in relation to control and the penalisation of control and the penalisation of specific forms of leisurespecific forms of leisure

FINDINGS FINDINGS 11

The specific penalized behaviour has been The specific penalized behaviour has been categorized as minor offence by the state. categorized as minor offence by the state.

Takes place in cities and is committed by Takes place in cities and is committed by men, as the total of offences.men, as the total of offences.

Punished with short-term imprisonment, Punished with short-term imprisonment, without obvious results, as the rate of without obvious results, as the rate of recidivism shows. recidivism shows.

A behaviour not considered to pose a great A behaviour not considered to pose a great danger to our society, neither a permanent danger to our society, neither a permanent parameter of the policy against crime.parameter of the policy against crime.

The repressive mechanisms do not have The repressive mechanisms do not have as their main objective to control this as their main objective to control this behaviour. behaviour.

YEARYEAR    TOTALTOTAL 1 MONTH IMPRIS.1 MONTH IMPRIS.   

            %%

19911991

T.O.T.O. 106287106287 6825668256 64,264,2

L.OL.O 25422542 21932193 86,386,3

19921992

T.O.T.O. 9998999989 6434964349 64,464,4

L.O.L.O. 25162516 21282128 84,684,6

19931993

T.O.T.O. 8680386803 5694856948 65,665,6

L.O.L.O. 24742474 21332133 86,286,2

19941994

T.O.T.O. 7897178971 5305853058 67,267,2

L.O.L.O. 21552155 18731873 86,986,9

19951995

T.O.T.O. 8590985909 5574755747 64,964,9

L.O.L.O. 27852785 24682468 88,688,6

19961996

T.O.T.O. 8167481674 4965749657 60,860,8

L.O.L.O. 26202620 23712371 90,590,5

YEARYEAR    CONVICTEDCONVICTED RECIDIVISTSRECIDIVISTS

            %%

19911991

T.O.T.O. 112203112203 5387153871 48,048,0

L.OL.O 30333033 14941494 49,349,3

19921992

T.O.T.O. 107564107564 5093750937 47,447,4

L.O.L.O. 30173017 14731473 48,848,8

19931993

T.O.T.O. 9242792427 4307543075 46,646,6

L.O.L.O. 27412741 14281428 52,152,1

19941994

T.O.T.O. 8381883818 3909039090 46,646,6

L.O.L.O. 23702370 12641264 53,353,3

19951995

T.O.T.O. 9196691966 3933739337 42,842,8

L.O.L.O. 30473047 14711471 48,348,3

19961996

T.O.T.O. 8689286892 3373333733 38,838,8

L.O.L.O. 27922792 13421342 48,148,1

FINDINGS FINDINGS 22

The specific offence in relation to the The specific offence in relation to the geographical region it took placegeographical region it took place

The formal social control is stricter in Attica The formal social control is stricter in Attica and Peloponnesus, something which is not and Peloponnesus, something which is not the case in the periphery (Aegean, Crete, the case in the periphery (Aegean, Crete, Ionian). Ionian).

Stricter in regions where many such Stricter in regions where many such centres of activities operate with large centres of activities operate with large concentration of population-regions with a concentration of population-regions with a greater need for external determination of greater need for external determination of regulationregulation

in contradiction to regions with leisure in contradiction to regions with leisure oligopoly, (isolated and sparsely populated oligopoly, (isolated and sparsely populated regions of Greece)regions of Greece)

FINDINGS FINDINGS 33

Profile of the person sentenced: man Profile of the person sentenced: man 35-59 years of age, married with 35-59 years of age, married with children, graduate of primary children, graduate of primary education education

Profile not differ from the profile of Profile not differ from the profile of the person that has been stigmatised the person that has been stigmatised as a "criminal". as a "criminal".

It is crime - control policy that It is crime - control policy that attempts to deal with the symptoms attempts to deal with the symptoms without changing the basic political - without changing the basic political - economic forces that generate these economic forces that generate these symptoms (Greenberg 1980)symptoms (Greenberg 1980)

FINDINGS FINDINGS 44

Professional profile of the person Professional profile of the person sentenced -self-employed in the sentenced -self-employed in the sector of service provision, sector of service provision,

This reveals the existence of a This reveals the existence of a small size market, which small size market, which functions beyond the control of functions beyond the control of the big capital and which is the big capital and which is mainly checked by the formal mainly checked by the formal social control. social control.

YEARYEAR    TOTALTOTAL SELF-EMPLOYEDSELF-EMPLOYED EMPLOYERSEMPLOYERS

            %%    %%

19911991

T.O.T.O. 112203112203 4880848808 43,543,5 87498749 7,87,8

L.OL.O 30333033 16411641 54,154,1 369369 12,212,2

19921992

T.O.T.O. 107564107564 4519245192 42,042,0 87818781 8,28,2

L.O.L.O. 30173017 14551455 48,248,2 408408 13,513,5

19931993

T.O.T.O. 9242792427 3772837728 40,840,8 92469246 10,010,0

L.O.L.O. 27412741 13461346 49,149,1 460460 16,816,8

19941994

T.O.T.O. 8381883818 3765737657 44,944,9 72027202 8,68,6

L.O.L.O. 23702370 13861386 58,558,5 235235 9,99,9

19951995

T.O.T.O. 9196691966 3866338663 42,042,0 98689868 10,710,7

L.O.L.O. 30473047 16121612 52,952,9 560560 18,418,4

19961996

T.O.T.O. 8689286892 3302133021 38,038,0 80678067 9,39,3

L.O.L.O. 27922792 13771377 49,349,3 431431 15,415,4

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

attempt to connect management of attempt to connect management of leisure and mainly the efforts of the leisure and mainly the efforts of the State to control it, with the political State to control it, with the political economy of a specific society, in this economy of a specific society, in this case contemporary Greececase contemporary Greece

penal repression cannot play an penal repression cannot play an autonomous or even causal role, in autonomous or even causal role, in relation to the dominant management relation to the dominant management patterns of leisure, which are patterns of leisure, which are determined mainly by the market.determined mainly by the market.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

no elements of conflict between the no elements of conflict between the value models of market proposal and value models of market proposal and penal treatment of the management penal treatment of the management of "free time" are found.of "free time" are found.

constitute control of a parallel market constitute control of a parallel market which functions beyond the limits of which functions beyond the limits of market and for that matter the market and for that matter the specific control is permissible and specific control is permissible and desirable, as far as the ruling class is desirable, as far as the ruling class is concerned.concerned.

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

This work will try to illustrate This work will try to illustrate structures of monitoring and structures of monitoring and mechanisms of control in one of mechanisms of control in one of the dominant models of modern the dominant models of modern youth’s leisure in a Greek island youth’s leisure in a Greek island (Lesvos), that is going to a night (Lesvos), that is going to a night club.club.

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

A research based on participant A research based on participant observation and informal, semi-observation and informal, semi-structured interviews was held in the structured interviews was held in the most famous night clubs in most famous night clubs in Mytilene( capital of Lesvos island). Mytilene( capital of Lesvos island).

Outcomes of this research are Outcomes of this research are analyzed through the use of a analyzed through the use of a methodology tool that Foucault methodology tool that Foucault issued in his work, Discipline and issued in his work, Discipline and Punishment.Punishment.

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

A. Rules of admission - normative sanctions. A. Rules of admission - normative sanctions. B. Internal discipline B. Internal discipline 1. Distribution in space 1. Distribution in space a. fencing b. networking c. creation of useful space a. fencing b. networking c. creation of useful space 2. Control of activity 2. Control of activity a. Planning (setting of rhythm, constraint on a. Planning (setting of rhythm, constraint on

particular activities, circle of repetition) particular activities, circle of repetition) b. Time regulation of activity b. Time regulation of activity c. Connection between body and gesture c. Connection between body and gesture d. Harmony between body and object d. Harmony between body and object e. Exhaustive utilisation (principle of non sloth) e. Exhaustive utilisation (principle of non sloth)

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

3. C3. Capitalization of timeapitalization of time a. duration is divided into successive a. duration is divided into successive

parts up to the final oneparts up to the final one b. levels that are analytically b. levels that are analytically

organized (no mere repetition)organized (no mere repetition) c. test in each final stagec. test in each final stage

4. Composition of forces 4. Composition of forces a. Each body can harmonize with the a. Each body can harmonize with the

othersothers b. Accurate system of administration. b. Accurate system of administration.

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

RESEARCH STEPSRESEARCH STEPS a) Selection of subject and a) Selection of subject and

preparation.preparation. b) Selection of spaces and b) Selection of spaces and

approach. approach. c) Recording of observations c) Recording of observations d) Data Analysis d) Data Analysis

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

positive correlations with the aspects positive correlations with the aspects of the methodological tool that we of the methodological tool that we had constructed were found.had constructed were found.

An example An example regarding capitalization regarding capitalization of timeof time – – “The only thing that an “The only thing that an individual – consumer can seemingly individual – consumer can seemingly do in night bar is to lose his/her time do in night bar is to lose his/her time and hence not to be able to and hence not to be able to capitalize the latter”.capitalize the latter”.

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

consumption constitutes a duration. consumption constitutes a duration. This continuity can be either a simple repetition, or This continuity can be either a simple repetition, or

a process analytically separated into stages, which a process analytically separated into stages, which are connected with ordeals, when the last stage has are connected with ordeals, when the last stage has come to an end. come to an end.

More frequent is the analytical scale which More frequent is the analytical scale which concerns consumption in the company of friendsconcerns consumption in the company of friends

a solitary drinker or the one who does not have the a solitary drinker or the one who does not have the economic means to evolve his /her consumption, economic means to evolve his /her consumption, leads often to marginalization in the end and to leads often to marginalization in the end and to early retirement from the place where "leisure" is early retirement from the place where "leisure" is spent. spent.

DISCIPLINE, CONTROLDISCIPLINE, CONTROL AND LEISURE AND LEISURENight clubs in a Greek islandNight clubs in a Greek island

““market management of leisure market management of leisure is constituted is constituted of DISCIPLINE of DISCIPLINE and CONTROL”and CONTROL”

Leisure, Market and Crime in Leisure, Market and Crime in Greece: Friends or Foes?Greece: Friends or Foes?

In my opinion- FriendsIn my opinion- Friends

Why do we believe otherwise?Why do we believe otherwise?

the Media, through the presentation of the Media, through the presentation of criminal incidents, transmits an evaluative criminal incidents, transmits an evaluative knowledge determining this way, desirable knowledge determining this way, desirable objectives and propagating for canonistic objectives and propagating for canonistic types of behaviour. The daily knowledge as types of behaviour. The daily knowledge as a constitutive element of the daily reality is a constitutive element of the daily reality is a condition of interaction between the a condition of interaction between the members of a society. In that sense, the members of a society. In that sense, the local press that transmits this daily local press that transmits this daily knowledge constitutes a dominant knowledge constitutes a dominant structuring factor of this reality.structuring factor of this reality.

research is based on content research is based on content analysis of newspaper articles of analysis of newspaper articles of the whole local press of Mytilene the whole local press of Mytilene (the capital of the prefecture of (the capital of the prefecture of Lesbos in Greece) and Lesbos in Greece) and additional interviews from additional interviews from journalists.journalists.

OutcomesOutcomes

a. The concept of criminality is being constructed a. The concept of criminality is being constructed both qualitatively and quantitatively through local both qualitatively and quantitatively through local press and not vice versa.press and not vice versa.

b. The local press evaluates negatively illegal b. The local press evaluates negatively illegal behaviours, positively the formal social control, behaviours, positively the formal social control, while in most cases it cancels any relevance with while in most cases it cancels any relevance with the social frame of criminality. the social frame of criminality.

c. The local press with the dramatic narrations that c. The local press with the dramatic narrations that uses it causes fear of victimisation. uses it causes fear of victimisation.

d. The journalists transmit evaluative knowledge in d. The journalists transmit evaluative knowledge in an attempt to cover the lack of knowledge of real an attempt to cover the lack of knowledge of real criminological data.criminological data.

Left --W3Left --W3 D1D1 W2W2 D4D4 D2D2 W1W1 D3----RightD3----Right

1% 1% 3,58% 3,58% 5,04% 5,04% 4,66% 4,66% 6,39% 6,39% 7,3% 7,3% 10,08% 10,08%

Percentages

Drugs 24,3%

Robberies 15,2%

Driving Offences 26,4%

Immigrants 8,7%

Other 24%

White Collar Crimes 1,4%

J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 Επίσημα στοιχεία

Crime numb.

----- ----- ----- ----- 60.000 50.000 10.000 305-358.000

Penal code offences

50% 40% 20% 35% 45% 60% ----- 1,7 – 2,5%

Convictions

----- ----- ----- ----- 48.000 45.000 7.000 83-92.000

Age of criminal

13-17 18-20 21-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-49 60 και άνω

Journalists mean

5 2 1 3 4 6 7 8

Official mean

8 7 5 4 3 1 2 6

Table 6

Marital status single Married no children Married with children

Widow / divorced

Journalists mean

1 3 4 2

Official mean

2 3 1 4

Categories (14)

Theft

Robbery

Drugs Driving offences

Commerce offences

Building offences

Journalists mean

1 2 3 7 10 11

Official mean

5 10 7 1 2 3

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Dr Dr STRATOS GEORGOULASSTRATOS GEORGOULASAss. ProfessorAss. Professor

University of the AegeanUniversity of the AegeanE-mail: s.georgoulas@soc.aegean.grE-mail: s.georgoulas@soc.aegean.gr