Importance Of Political Scandals To The Newspapers Media Essay

Importance Of Political Scandals To The Newspapers Media Essay The aims of this research are focused on assessing the importance of political scandals to the newspapers, on the role that the press assumes and how it is influenced by the fact that newspapers are supportive of political parties and on general trends that may be found in the coverage of political scandals by the quality press. The methodology used involves a comparative research that places side by side the study of three different scandals. Comparing the conclusions taken from the three cases studied this research aims to find general trends that are transversal to the newspapers while covering political scandals, but also to generalize the results to the British quality press. The reason to choose as object of the study newspapers instead of other media is related with the fact that in the United Kingdom the press is openly supportive of political parties, in contrast to what happen in television and radio broadcasters that are said to be independent. By studying newspapers it is possible to take an in-depth look at the conflict of interests of supporting a party, reporting the events to the readers and manager to report the situation keeping or increasing the profits of the newspaper. The relationship stated before influences the coverage produced by newspapers and the level of impartiality and independence that must be expected from them. The present dissertation will also take a look at the quality press instead of analysing the tabloid newspapers. While the tabloid press if often more connected with infotainment rather than serious news reporting, they are likely to have more scandals. Notwithstanding the fact that they report more scandals does not mean that they report it better, nor people who buy these newspapers expect it to be serious. In opposition to this reality there is the quality press. Even if openly supportive of political parties, the quality press is expected to give more serious news (Niblock, 1996:23; Conboy, 2005:12). People who buy these newspapers expect to be informed about issues related with international and political affairs. The reason why the Guardian, the Independent and the Daily Telegraph (including the Sunday versions) were chosen to be analysed is that they allow the coverage of the entire political spectrum. Analysing one newspaper would not be enough to generalize or to find trends that could be transversal to the quality press. However an analysis that includes the whole political spectrum in a system that is effectively bipartisan allows a more detailed comparison. In this context, one can expect that the Guardian will provide a Liberal/Labour vision of the facts, the Telegraph is expected to present a Conservative vision, and the Independent is expected to give an independent vision since the newspapers claims to be free from editorial connections since its beginning. The articles analysed are from the following dates: Cash for influence 25/01/2009 to 31/01/2009; Expenses Scandal 8/05/2009 to 15/05/2009; and finally Lord Ashcroft tax status 01/03/2010 to 07-03-2010. The criteria by which the articles were chosen to be analysed was if there was in them references to the scandal. The access to the newspapers was guarantee through the online archives present in the newspapers websites. In total 400 articles were analysed. Scandals The first story to be study is known as Cash for Influence and it is a scandal concerning four Labour Party life peers who were supposedly accepting money in order to help to make amendments to legislation. The peers involved were Lord Moonie, Lord Snape, Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor. The four Labour members were accused of breaking two principles of the Code of Conduct for the House of Lords. The story was first published in the Sunday Times on the 25th of January of 2009, when staff from the newspaper approached the four peers pretending to be lobbyists from an unnamed company. The peers told them that for the right amount of money they could help them introducing some changes to the legislation. The second story is about the British Parliamentary expenses scandal that was revealed by the Telegraph after a leak. The story broke on May 2009 and it involved the revelation of the expenses claimed by the Members of Parliament. The scandal received a lot of attention as it was shown that MPs were abusing the system of allowances and expenses related with their duty in the House of Commons. The last case to be studied involves Mr. Ashcroft and his tax status. The controversy around Lord Ashcroft is not recent, but in 2010 Ashcroft decided to come public with his tax status. The controversy aroused not from the legal wrongdoing but due to the fact that it was thought that the Conservative Party deputy chairman had agree to become resident in the UK for tax purposed when he was recommended for a peerage in 2000. The three stories involve financial transgressions/ controversies. The same logic that decided the newspapers to be analysed was also used in the selection of scandals. In the coverage of scandals: one of them is associated with peers from the Labour party, other is associated with people connected with the conservative party and the expenses scandals involve MPs from all the parties that are represented in the House of Commons. The scandals are all very recent and that, I hope, will provide an up to date perspective of the coverage of political scandals. Content Analysis The first decision that was to be made was considering the approach that should be used to answer the research questions. After looking at some studies concerning media studies produced before such as the works produced by Gans, 1979; Fishman, 1980; and Canel and Sanders, 2006; It was decided that an ideal approach to the study would be combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. This is so because the questions involve a different type of answers but also because by combining different approaches the work will follow a principle of triangulation presenting greater validity. Triangulation is: the traditional view that quantitative and qualitative research might be combined to triangulate findings in order that they may be mutually corroborated (Bryman, 2006:608). For the combination of different approaches it would be used first Content Analysis of the articles published by newspapers related with the scandals and interviews with journalists from the three newspapers that are study here. However the journalists were not very accessible and many did not show availability to be interviewed. Due to this fact, the interviews were dropped from this project. The main technique to be used will be Content Analysis as it allows a, comparative analysis of the coverage of the scandals. Using this method it is possible to study the prominence and the importance that the stories may assume to the newspapers (Hansen et al., 1998:95). The comparative approach also allows the identification of the trends and changes in the position adopted by newspapers during the coverage of the stories. These questions are similar to those that this dissertation has to deal with in order to answer the research questions. Other advantage of Content Analysis is that it produces, if well-conducted, data that is less likely to suffer from subjective selectiveness and idiosyncrasies as it is a transparent and systematic technique of analysis (Hansen et al., 1998:94: Bryman, 2006:289). The difficulties that are inherent to the Content Analysis are related with the fact that the categories and units of analysis may demand some interpretation form the coders (Bryman, 2006:291). This can result in some disputes over the interpretation when the study is replicated. However, as these limitations were taken into account the codebook was design in order to guarantee its consistency and reliability. While coding the Content Analysis the first seven categories the newspaper where the article was present, the story covered, the date, the headline, the article length, the reporter and position and the genre of the article are basic information related with the characteristics of the articles. However this basic information will provide answers to questions related with: the scandal that received most attention, the newspapers that wrote more about the scandals, the newspaper that included more articles concerning these stories, the moment where the interest in the stories peaked and when it began to decrease, the nature of the genres that are more prominent in the coverage. The analysis of the position of the journalists is also very important because it is can show the importance that the article assumes for the newspaper. If a story is considered very important then it is more likely to have an experienced and high-positioned journalist in the newspaper hierarchy writing the ar ticle. Possibly these variables are expected to provide data to analyse general trends and the importance that the stories assumed for the newspapers. The exclusive content claim is a category that aims to give indications about the role of the newspapers while covering the stories. If newspapers are releasing information that they claim to have exclusive content, it is assumed that they are investing time and money on the story. The scandal category is used to evaluate the coverage of the stories. It is expect to give a perspective on whether or not the stories were defined as scandals. It can also be a point to analyse potential changes related with the editorial choices of the newspaper. The position of the articles towards the people involved and towards the acts committed by those is also coded. As the scandals are disclosed, the newspapers tend to assume positions towards it. This point is interesting to understand the reactions of the newspapers to the stories and if they are transversal or if they tend to change as more is known about the scandal. The variables involving the name of the party in the headline or lead are present to provide data to study if the connection between the party and the actors of the scandals is considered important to the newspapers. It is expected to indicate if newspapers are likely to identify more often, in these two parts of the articles, the name of the party they do not support rather than the party they support. This category is also expected to give information about the importance of the party identification for the newspaper when covering political scandals. The access to newspapers by the political parties is also coded by looking at the different stances that are present in the articles. This information is provided by the category concerning the inclusion of different political stances in the articles. The identification of the party that is less heard is also important to test the capacity of the parties to access the different newspapers. The number of people quoted is also a focus of this study. The number of persons coded is assumed as one indicator of the time that was spent with the article. However to better evaluate the role of the quotes used they are counted in three different categories: the number of sources that assume neutral, accusative or sympathetic positions towards the people involved in the scandals. It is believed that by doing this it is possible to test the bias of the quotes used towards the story. The victims of the scandals identified by the journalists in the articles are counted as well. This provides information about how the consequences of the scandal are perspective by the newspaper. This information is expected to offers information if scandals are seen as a morality tale or if there is space for the political game perspective. In continuation to the analysis paid to the political parties, it is tested if the coverage has presented the idea of elections and the consequences that the scandal may have for the outcome of the polls. This is done by the inclusion of a category that counts if the article mentions the elections. In order to understand the role of the press during the scandals, and the positions adopted by the newspapers and it was not possible to interview the people involved in the coverage of the scandals the editorials will be more profoundly analysed that the other articles. The profound analysis is applied to these articles because in the United Kingdom this genre is assumed to be the place where the opinion of the newspapers is exhibit (Canel and Sanders, 2006:10). The extra variables that are coded in the analysis of the leading articles are six. Two variables are named praises and criticisms and they will record who is being attacked and protected by the newspapers. Are newspapers more confortable attacking newspapers they do not support? Or can it be said that they will attack whoever is involved in a scandal in the same way? While attacking the people involved from one party, are newspapers softer with the party they support? The other four categories coded are concerned with the role assumed by the quality press. Right to information is a category that aims to measure the posture of newspapers towards its readers and the information it provides them. How often do newspapers look for legitimacy by claiming that they are providing information that is of the public interest? As for the solidarity and we vs. them categories, these target to analyse if the quality press tries to establish a close relation with its readers or if it tries to assume a more isolated position of a neutral vigilant. Lastly, the role of the papers towards the political system is tested in the claims for reform done by newspapers. Do we have newspapers that are very active claiming for politicians to be changed, or is the quality press passive? The claim for reform category is probably expected to give an answer to those questions. The biggest limitations to this research are related with the second technique of research used and the access to newspapers. The fact that the journalists that were covering the stories were not interviewed omits one set of accounts of the events in question. The access to newspapers also imposes limitations to the study. While accessing to online editions variables such as pictures, front-cover and size of the article in relation with the format of the page of the newspaper are not available. In excluding such variables information that may be relevant for the research is not included. The similar nature of the scandals may also be question, as Lord Ashcroft in opposition to what happen to the peers of the Labour Party did not perform any act that was illegal. The fact that this scandal was closer to the general elections can influence the coverage that it received. Contrary to the other scandals, Lord Ashcrofts controversy was rumoured before, and so this scandals when noticed may have lost the impact that the other cases attached.

Knowledge vs. Ignorance Essay

Everyone has the right to attain knowledge. Having knowledge can lead one to do great things, such as achieving a good score on a test, knowing what to do in cases of emergencies, or achieve things like winning a debate, contest, race, or game. And even though attaining knowledge doesn’t always come with happiness, knowledge can give one the power and opportunity to influence others and their choices and decisions. To best prove a person wrong in a debate or argument, knowledge is needed to make a good enough point to prove the opposing side wrong. Even though ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power because knowledge comes with the power to influence, knowledge is power when making a point, and with knowledge, one is able to make their own decisions based on what they know. Knowledge is power because it can come with the power to influence ones choices as well as others. In The Great Gatsby, during chapter 6, Nick Carraway gives the reader an insight of Jay Gatsby’s past. Nick tells us, â€Å" He was employed in a vague personal capacity—while he remained with Cody he was in turn steward, mate, skipper, secretary, and even jailor, for Dan Cody sober knew what lavish doings Dan Cody drunk might soon be about, and he provided for such contingencies by reposing more and more trust in Gatsby. †¦ It was indirectly due to Cody that Gatsby drank so little.† (Gatsby 100) Gatsby had the knowledge of how people acted when drunk first handed. What he had witnessed with Dan Cody influenced him drink only rarely. Also in chapter 6, Nick gives us the idea where Gatsby would have first gotten the chance at a wealthy life. Nick tells us, â€Å"And it was from Cody that he inherited money—a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars. He didn’t get it. He never understood the legal devise that was used against him, but what remained of the millions went intact was left with his singularly appropriate education; the vague contour of Jay Gatsby hid filled out to the substantiality of a man.†(Gatsby 100) From this we can see that Gatsby attained enough knowledge to be capable to do whatever it takes to become wealthy. And being a part of the wealthy also influenced his choices to do what it takes to make it to the top, even if it is done through illegal means, which we find out later on in the book that it does. Knowledge is also power because of the fact that having knowledge can make others look up to the person who holds it, for they seem wiser and may hold the right answers and steer them in a direction, good or bad. When I was in sixth grade, we had a group lab in science class. No one in my group had any idea on how to complete the assignment that was assigned, except me. With the knowledge I had attained from my science teachers’ lessons, I was able to influence my lab partners to listen to what I thought should be done and was able to steer my group into getting a B- on our assignment. Having knowledge is power when making a point because it will help prove the opposing side wrong and persuade others that you are in the right. In the heated fight between Tom and Gatsby in a hotel suite in New York City, Tom had made sure he had attained enough knowledge about Gatsby, his past and who he is, to persuade Daisy that he is not the one for her and that he isn’t what she real ly wants, and also to convince her to love him and forget Gatsby. In the middle of the argument, Tom exclaims to Gatsby, â€Å"‘Who are you, anyhow? You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfsheim—that much I happen to know. I’ve made a little investigation into your affairs—and I’ll carry it further to-morrow. †¦ I found out what your ‘drug-stores’ were.’ He turned to us and spoke rapidly. ‘He and this Wolfsheim brought up a lot of side-street drug stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.’† (Gatsby 133) This shows the reader the effort Tom has made to really gather his information about Gatsby to prove him wrong. With the knowledge that Tom had gained about Gatsby, he had the right information to show Daisy that Gatsby isn’t who she thought he was, and that Gatsby was not fooling anyone ab out who he really is and his past. And after Tom had brought up Walter Chase, Gatsby had an unfamiliar expression on his face. Nick tells us, â€Å"Then I turned back to Gatsby—and was startled at his expression. He looked—and this is said in all contempt for the babbled slander of his garden—as if he had â€Å"killed a man.† †¦It passed, and he began to talk excitedly to Daisy, denying everything, defending his name against accusations that had not been made. But with every word she was drawing further and further into herself, so he gave that up, and only the dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch what was no longer tangible, †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gatsby 134) This passage shows the reader that Tom has made his point well enough to scare Gatsby, and well enough to convince Daisy to realize that Gatsby is just not the kind of person she wants to be with. Tom showed up Gatsby, and with knowledge, Tom was able to prove his point which makes puts him with more power over Gatsby and even Daisy. For afterward, Tom commands to Daisy and Gatsby, â€Å"‘You two start on home, Daisy, in Mr. Gatsby’s Car. †¦ Go on. He won’t anno y you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over.’ They were gone, without a word, snapped out, made accidental, isolated, like ghosts, even from our pity.† (Gatsby 135) This passage shows Toms’ power over Gatsby and Daisy after proving them both wrong of their thought with the knowledge that he had attained. Attaining knowledge is power because one is then able to make what they think is the best decision are for them or for others based off of what they know. But having this power also has its consequences. During dinner at the Buchanan’s house, a phone call for Tom interrupts dinner. When he had gone into another room to attend to the call, Jordan Baker eavesdrops on the conversation. Jordan then tells nick, in front of Daisy, â€Å"Tom’s got a woman in New York.†(Gatsby 15) Later on that evening, Daisy says to Nick, â€Å"I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.†(Gatsby 17) These statements show Daisy’s knowledge about Tom’s affair with another woman. Even though she doesn’t use her knowledge to change the way things are between her relationships with Tom, she deals with the consequences that come with it. Knowing the about Toms affair leads her to deal with an unhappy life. But with knowledge of her feelings emotions for Tom and her knowledge of how love can hurt, she knows that she would want her daughter will be a beautiful fool, oblivious to the bad and the wrong in the world. So her daughter may live a happier life not having knowledge of the bad things in life that has made Daisy unhappy. Some people argue that ignorance is bliss because what you don’t know doesn’t hurt you. Some people believe ignorant people live a happier life. They believe that not knowing every detail could sometimes spare hurt, stress, and depression. These people are wrong because without knowledge, ignorant people would not really know th e truth about a situation and they would be oblivious to what is really going and may get hurt when they finally realize the truth. For example, in chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby, Daisy tells Nick, â€Å"I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.† (Gatsby17) Daisy wants her daughter to grow up to be oblivious to all the hurt in the world so she can be happy, unlike how Daisy is, living day by day knowing that her husband has been having an affair with another woman. When the truth comes out, being ignorant and oblivious may not hold a happy ending. Having knowledge is very important for a person to have. Without knowledge, we would not be able to consider things for ourselves and make good decisions. For one to have the power to influence others choices and decisions, they must have knowledge to persuade others. Proving someone wrong in an argument or disagreement takes knowledge to show them and witnesses that the opposing side is wrong. Even though holding knowledge of a certain subject can have its consequences, the one who holds it will be able to make what they think the best decisions are for them or others based off of what they know. Attaining knowledge is a very important key in life. It can open many doors and opportunities for one who is willing to attain it. Knowledge can come with happiness, but not always. But knowledge will for sure get one further in life than one who is ignorant to their surrounding and oblivious to situations.

Oxford Brookes University Bsc in Applied Accounting

I will use this report writing oopportunity to practice and practically implement my learning in evaluating business and financial performance of a business which spreads its activities from one continent to another. 1. 3 Reasons behind choosing X&Y For me and for my family’s clothing needs I found X&Y as a better place to buy as it sells better and fashionable cloths at lower price. But, this is not what attracted my attention. I got interested on X&Y because in this time of recession and money crisis while all high street giants struggling to survive I found X&Y continuing to open new stores in different locations in every few months.Not only that, Interbrand ranked in their latest 2009 report X&Y as the world’s 2X no. brand with 11% increasing brand value from last year to 15,375m USD. Last year X&Y was ranked number 2X. X&Y is in the top position as a high street apparel brand. It seems X&Y is becoming more popular hence mearns greater market. 1. 3. 1 X&Y history Pr esent is the result of history; I always enjoy it so decided to look back where everything really begun. A former Swedish salesman, named Exxx Pxxxx, discovered an amazing clothing retail concept during his trip to the United States.He noticed high turnover can be achieved by lowering the sales price. After came back home; in 1947, he opened a store exclusively for women’s clothing in Vxxx, Sxxx. He named the store ‘X’. Swedish for hxxx. In 1968 Exxx Pxxxx brought men’s concept in his retail store and changed its name to ‘X&Y’. He continued to add new concepts like clothing for children, young people, trendy people and sportive people. To stimulate growth in home and abroad, X&Y went public with a listing in Sxxxx Stock Exchange in 1974.X&Y started its business using concept ‘fashion at low price’ but later developed to ‘fashion and quality at best price’ The Pxxxx family still 4 holding the largest share of the compa ny stock, leaving control securely in the family's hands. 1. 3. 2 X;Y at present day ‘Before you can really start setting financial goals, you need to determine where you stand financially. ’ – Bach, David X;Y is a rapidly growing business. Every year it is expending its market, i. e. stores, steadily. According to X;Y annual report 2008; by the end of financial year 2008 X;Y Group had 1,738 stores globally.In the year 2008 X;Y opened 216 stores worldwide and entered in five new different markets (Japan, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia). In 2009 X;Y Group planning to open 225 new stores. Though X;Y mainly provide clothing at competitive price but they also have PST range which offers exclusive and expensive clothing collection. Around 73,000 employees helping X;Y to run and grow. Source: X;Y Group Annual Report 2008 1. 3. 3 Business to compare I was thinking around which organization I shall choose to compare.I browsed through websites of top clothing retai ler’s e. g. Primark, Gap, Topshop, and Zara. 5 Then I found Inditex Group (owner of Zara) as the most appropriate business for comparison with X;Y Group as, in terms of revenue, Inditex is the top largest clothing retailer in the Europe and X;Y is the second. Though clothing ranges of Inditex mainly includes high priced items unlike X;Y’s main ranges but both of them highly expended their operation beyond their originate country. Inditex have 4,430 stores in 73 countries while for X;Y the number is 1,738 in 34 countries.Inditex Group includes fashion brands Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho and Uterque. Zara is the most popular brand among others of Inditex Group. Interbrand, in their year 2009 report, ranked Zara in no. 50 according to brand value (6,789m USD) while X;Y ranked number 2X with 15,375m USD brand value. 1. 4 Aims and objectives The aim of this research and analysis project is to establish an evaluation of the business and fi nancial performance of X;Y Group based on financial reports, comments and projections made by board members and using the views of other stakeholders.My project will evaluate the financial performance of X;Y over financial year-ending 2006 to 2008 and assess its future prospect. Economic decisions taken by stakeholders are highly dependent on the financial performance of the relevant company. Now-a-days stakeholders are getting more and more interested on management’s performance and internal control. Management’s ability in taking effective long-term decisions is very important as taking efficient short-term decisions. Shareholders are concerned about short-term return e. g. ividend and share price but they are also very concerned about managements’ plan on future growth, expansion, roadmap on how to deal with expected or not-expected adverse conditions. I will use various rations e. g. profitability ratios, efficiency ratios, investment rations during my repor t writing process. In addition, I will do SWOT analysis, as it is a key 6 instrumental framework to assess the overall business position, to identify the strength, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for X;Y. 2. INFORMATION As this report is the first of its kind I am doing so I had to start from the very beginning.I had to understand what type of report I was going to do, what type of format I shall use, how can I gather information and how can I use those in writing this report and on above all of these where will I find relevant information. I discussed about the report writing techniques I shall use and information source I shall use with my senior and fellow sstudents who already wrote this type of report for their university degree. I attended an introductory meeting in †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ where Mr †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ pointed out possible sources of information.I browsed through websites of X;Y and Inditex. I downloaded and printed out the annual report of last three years. I also rea d through the Chairman’s report and CEO’s report to understand business and financial performance from their point of view. I also read through newspaper reports on X;Y and Inditex. I used Google search engine and Yahoo Finance to find out news related to these two businesses. 2. 1 Source of information I divided my source of information in two groups; primary source and secondary source.As far as this business and financial performance report concern I really not necessarily had to collect information through primary source. More importantly, the secondary source of information was so sthrong that it made using primary source insignificant. The main sources I used during preparation of this report are as follows: 7 Published financial statements of X;Y Group and Inditex Group (Year ending 2006, 2007, 2008) I found financial statements as the main source of information as this gives us the financial knowledge of the both companies and very relevant to my chosen topic a rea.But, more importantly financial statements are audited by independent auditors and provides high level of assurance and great deal of reliability. Chairman, CEO and Directors statements These statements gives information which highlights business performance, i. e. specific areas where the business done well or areas where business is finding difficulties. These statements also give future strategies and plans business willing to and going to adopt and implement. These statements also ensure stakeholders on business plan on how they will adopt or eliminate expected or unexpected risks.

Why Does Crime Spike in Summer

Its not an urban legend: crime rates do in fact spike in the summer. A 2014 study from the Bureau of Justice Statistics  found that, with the exception of robbery and auto theft, rates of all violent and property crimes are higher during the summer than during other months. Why Summer? This recent study examined data from the annual National Crime Victimization Survey—a nationally representative sample of persons older than 12 year of age—collected between 1993 and 2010, which included violent and property crimes that did not result in death, both reported and not reported to the police. The data for nearly all types of crime show that, though the national crime rate plummeted by 70 percent between 1993 and 2010, seasonal spikes in summer remain. In some cases those spikes are 11 to 12 percent higher than rates during seasons in which the lows occur.  But why? Some researchers reason that increased temperatures—which drive many out of doors and to leave windows open in their homes—and increased daylight hours—which can lengthen the amount of time people spend away from their homes—raise the amount of people in public and the amount of time that homes are left empty. Others point to the effect of students on summer vacation, who are otherwise occupied with schooling during other seasons; still others postulate that suffering heat-induced discomfort simply makes people more aggressive and likely to act out. Factors Influencing Crime Rates From a sociological standpoint, though, the interesting and important question to ask about this proven phenomenon is not what climatological factors influence it, but what social and economic ones do. The question, then, should be not why are people committing more property and violent crime in the summer, but why are people committing these crimes at all? Numerous studies have shown that rates of criminal behavior among teens and young adults drop when their communities provide them with other ways to spend their time and earn money. This was found to be true in Los Angeles during several time periods, where gang activity in poor communities was reduced when community centers for teens where thriving and active. Similarly, a 2013 study conducted by the University of Chicago Crime Lab found that participation in a summer jobs program slashed the arrest rate for violent crimes by more than half among teens and young adults who were at a high risk for committing crime.  Generally speaking, the connection between economic inequality and crime is robustly documented for the U.S. and around the world. The Impact of Structural Inequalities Taking these facts into consideration, it seems clear that the problem is not that more people are out and about during the summer months, but that they are out and about in unequal societies that are not providing for their needs. Crime might spike at a time when a greater concentration of people being in public together simultaneously, and leaving their homes unattended, but that is not why crime exists. Sociologist Robert Merton framed this problem with his structural strain theory, which observed that strain follows when the individual goals celebrated by a society are not made achievable by the means made available by that society. So if government officials want to address the summer spike in crime, what they should really focus on are the systemic social and economic problems that foster criminal behavior in the first place.