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11 Theoretical Criminology 5 (2007)

handle is hein.journals/thcr11 and id is 1 raw text is: Theoretical Criminology 0 2007 SAGE Publications London, Thousand Oaks and New Delhi. www.sagepublications.com Vol. 11(1): 5-37; 1362-4806 DOI: 10.1177/1362480607072733 Editors' Note Robert K. Merton (11910-2003) spent most of his career, beginning in 1941, at Columbia University. Recognizing his influence within criminology, partic- ularly through the widely cited article 'Social Structure and Anomie', the ensuing three articles reflect on this scholar's ongoing relevance from varied perspectives including (based on Cullen and Messner's interviewing of Merton) the use of oral history. The making of criminology revisited An oral history of Merton's anomie paradigm FRANCIS T. CULLEN AND STEVEN F. MESSNER University of Cincinnati, USA and University at Albany, State University of New York, USA Abstract We use a 1987 interview with Robert K. Merton to contribute a chapter to the evolving paradigm of 'Social Structure and Anomie' (SS&A). This oral history reveals how Merton's early life experiences may have contributed to his views about universalistic American goals prescribing social ascent and about why, despite growing up in a slum, he did not theoretically link crime to disorganized neighborhoods. It also allows commentary on Merton's preference for middle-range theory and the consolidation of competing paradigms; on the Marxian and Durkheimian influences on his work; and on his responses to critiques of SS&A. We contend that this project should be seen as an 'oral publication', a means of transmitting knowledge valued by Merton. 5