WCC midterm 2 Flashcards
explain the love canal case using the integrated theory of WCC
in the love canal case, the hooker chemical company disposed of toxic chemical waste in an abandoned canal in Niagara Falls, New York. the hazardous waste that was dumped led to abnormally high rates of miscarriages in the vicinity as well as numerous health issues in infants and children. the integrated theory can be used to describe that the decision to dump the waste in the canal was based on cost-saving motives that prioritized short-term profits over environmental and public health concerns
how effective was the regulatory agency OSHA in the McWane/Tyler case?
OSHA was not effective in the McWane case. At least 9 workers died at Tyler Pipe and OSHA referred only one death to the justice department, which ended in only one misdemeanor plea. OSHA is in place to help protect workers; however, McWane wanted to avoid costly downtimes and kept conveyor belts running during maintenance, leading to a horrible death.
what does Hannah Arendt mean by “banality of evil” and how does it apply to WCC
banality of evil was used to describe her observations of Eichmann’s demeanor and behavior during his trial for the holocaust. the concept suggests that those who commit horrible crimes do it out of lack of moral reflection. this can apply to WCC when thinking about the bureaucratic nature and lack of personal accountability.
how is torture defined by the Rome Statute? how and why does the 2002 definition from the department of justice deviate from that definition?
the Rome Statue: “intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, upon a person in the custody or under the control of the accused”
the department of justice’s definition deviates from this one because it was challenged after the enlightenment. It provides a more in-depth definition stating the injury may be organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death.
describe the Abu Ghraib torture case
“assault, indecent acts, maltreatment, dereliction of duty”
sodomy of victims, sodomy with an object, assault with dogs, cold plunges by US military. they were motivated by military culture, individual beliefs, and perceived justification for interrogation techniques
describe 3 core international laws against violent governmental white collar crime. how were they applied in cases such as Russia and Sudan
1) UN Declaration of Human Rights
2) UN Genocide Convention
3) UN Torture Convention
Ex: the application of human rights in Sudan’s case is apparent because Sudan has faced many conflicts, including genocide in Darfur.
what were the judicial and legal responses to the Abu Ghraib torture case?
several military personnel were charged and faced in response for the torture committed.
what was the Enron case?
the largest case of bankruptcy; gas and energy company that created loopholes to make abnormal profits and inflate the company’s revenues and hide debt.
what was the tobacco case?
cigarette manufacturers boosted nicotine levels to satisfy addictions in users; denied that smokers who died were addicted; threatened companies who make/market stop-smoking products. company Brown and Williamson boosts nicotine levels in tobacco
what was the ford pinto case?
ford pintos had faulty designs in order to be more cost effective; the gas tanks were faulty which resulting in many burn victims. Ford was charged, but acquitted because they were “no more dangerous than other comparably sized cars” however a federal judge ordered for an automotive recall
what was the adulterated food case?
the American meatpacking industry sold spoiled meat; slaughtered livestock was stored in decaying rooms with rats; sausages were stuffed with dung; workers would die in the workplace and their remains would end up in the food
what are dangerous drugs and devices?
the brand Pondimin became a target for a class action lawsuit because of the antiobestiy drug treatment known as fen-phen; this drug was suspected of causing heart issues and birth defects.
what are the 3 types of environmental contamination
1) organic (is linked to cancer)
2) inorganic (metals such as lead, suspected of causing developmental problems)
3) radioactivity (believed to cause prenatal damage)
what was the love canal case?
the hooker chemical corporation burned more than 20 million lbs of chemical waste in a canal in new york; the canal was then covered up and sold for $1 to the board of education where a school and housing development would be built. melting snow years later forced contaminated water into resident’s basements; dioxin and benzene were found. this led to unusually high numbers of miscarriages and birth defects in the vicinity
what is the Kepone case?
a highly toxic pesticide made by Allied Chemical Corporation induced tremors in workers. in 1975 the corporation was shutdown and federal indictments were brought upon them; there were over a thousand violations and they were fined 3.8 million dollars.
