This text investigates the systemic causes of elite deviance by analyzing the intersection of power, wealth, and institutional structure within the United States. Author David R. Simon utilizes a sociological framework to argue that harmful acts committed by those in positions of authority are not merely individual moral failings but are deeply embedded in the political and economic landscape. The book synthesizes historical data and contemporary case studies to demonstrate how corporate and political entities operate within a framework that often facilitates or ignores elite misconduct.

This work is widely regarded as a foundational text in the study of white-collar crime and elite misconduct due to its holistic approach. The material provides a dense, academic examination of power dynamics that is suitable for students and researchers seeking to understand the structural roots of systemic corruption.