ABSTRACT
Accumulating theoretical and empirical work has demonstrated that there is no class bias in anomie theory, which can explain lower-class street crime and upper-class organizational crime. Neoliberal policies have been applied to rich and poor countries alike with the promise of economic growth, prosperity, freedom, democracy, self-sufficiency, and consumerism, even though the short-term could be characterized by painful austerity measures. The theory would have recommended either encouraging more reasonable expectations or matching the promises with clear and visible efforts to provide security, restore civilian infrastructure, offer employment, and bring various ethnic and religious groups together in an effort to create a new regime, thus paving the ground for a smoother transition. A lack of planning and theoretically or culturally informed policymaking has caused people to fight a war on terror while shooting themselves in the foot. The consequences extend beyond the immediate areas of conflict.
