Captured by Evil: The Idea of Corruption in Law
ISBN: 9780300195309
Platform/Publisher: JSTOR / Yale University Press
Digital rights: Users: unlimited; Printing: chapter; Download: chapter
Subjects: Corruption -- Philosophy; Good and evil -- Philosophy; Law and ethics;

One of the most powerful words in the English language, "corruption" is also one of the most troubled concepts in law. According to Laura Underkuffler, it is a concept based on religiously revealed ideas of good and evil. But the notion of corruption defies the ordinary categories by which law defines crimes--categories that punish acts, not character, and that eschew punishment on the basis of religion and emotion. Drawing on contemporary examples--including former assemblywoman Diane Gordon and former governor Rod Blagojevich--Underkuffler explores the implications and dangers of maintaining such an archaic concept at the heart of criminal law.

"Underkuffler challenges the traditional rational and logical characterizations of corruption and defends a highly original and insightul proposal. In her view corruption is an emotional concept grounded in religious ideas defying traditional criminal law doctrines. This book is a fantastic contribution to the study of corruption as well as more generally to the study of law and culture."--Alon Harel, Hebrew University Law School

Laura Underkuffler is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and J. DuPratt White Professor of Law at Cornell University. She lives in Portland, Maine.

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