Richard Cloward

Richard A. Cloward ( born December 25, 1926 in Rochester, New York; † 20 August 2001) was an American sociologist, criminologist and civil rights.

Cloward studied at Columbia University social work and sociology and worked as a social worker. Since 1954, he taught sociology in 1958 at Columbia University social work, and after his graduation. Cloward developed in collaboration with Lloyd E. Ohlin on the merton'sche Anomietheorie and linked it with the subculture theory. In their opinion, the Kriminaitätswahrscheinlichkeit rises not only from lack of legitimate means to achieve a generally conventional goals. It decisively, on the availability of illegitimate means would be provided more widely available in subcultures.

Cloward was a prominent opinion leader in American protest and civil movements.

Writings (selection )

• Delinquency and Opportunity (1960 - with Loyd Ohlin )
• Regulating the Poor: The Functions of Public Welfare (1971 )
• Why Americans Do not Vote: And Why Politicians Want it That Way (1988 )
• Poor People's Movements: Why the Succeed, How They Fail ( 1977)
• The Breaking of the American Social Compact ( 1997).