James Q. Wilson
James Q. Wilson: A Life of Scholarship and Service
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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James Quentin Wilson was an American political scientist, professor, and author who made significant contributions to the fields of criminology, public policy, and civic engagement.
Birth and Death Dates
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Wilson was born on September 27, 1931, in Denver, Colorado. He passed away on March 23, 2013, at the age of 81.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Wilson held American nationality and was a professor of government at Harvard University for over 30 years. His areas of expertise included criminology, public policy, and civic engagement.
Early Life and Background
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Born to parents who were both educators, Wilson developed an early interest in politics and social issues. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he attended East High School before going on to study at the University of Chicago, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1953. Wilson then moved to Harvard University, where he completed his Master's degree in 1954 and Ph.D. in 1969.
Major Accomplishments
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Wilson's academic career was marked by numerous accomplishments, including:
Authoring influential books: Wilson wrote several critically acclaimed books on criminology, public policy, and civic engagement, including "Varieties of Police Behavior" (1968), "The Investigators" (1969), and "Crime and Human Nature" (1985).
Leading research projects: Wilson was the principal investigator for numerous research projects, including a three-year study on juvenile crime and delinquency.
Teaching and mentoring: As a professor at Harvard University, Wilson mentored generations of students and scholars in his field.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Wilson's most notable works include:
"Crime and Human Nature" (1985): This book examined the relationship between crime rates and social variables such as unemployment, poverty, and family breakdown.
"The Moral Sense" (1993): In this book, Wilson argued that humans possess an innate moral sense that guides their behavior.
"The Politics of Trust" (1996): This book explored the relationship between trust in institutions and civic engagement.
Impact and Legacy
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Wilson's work has had a lasting impact on various fields, including criminology, public policy, and civic engagement. His research on crime rates and social variables has influenced policymakers at both local and national levels. Wilson was also recognized for his commitment to education and civic engagement, inspiring numerous students and scholars throughout his career.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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James Q. Wilson is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Influence on policy: His research has had a direct impact on public policy, shaping the way policymakers approach issues related to crime and delinquency.
Authorship of influential books: Wilson's books have been widely read and cited by scholars, policymakers, and journalists.
* Commitment to education and civic engagement: As a dedicated educator and mentor, Wilson has inspired generations of students and scholars.
Quotes by James Q. Wilson
Community-based policing has now come to mean everything. It's a slogan. It has come to mean so many different things that people who endorse it, such as the Congress of the United States, do not know what they are talking about.
If a radical devolution of powers was possible, it would have been done before. The assumption of states' rights is gone. There's no support for it in the Supreme Court and there's no support for it in public opinion.
I believe we ought to subsidize some health care for the poor, but Medicare subsidizes everyone's health care.
I believe that the high rates of property crime (and some of the increase in violent crime) are part of the price you pay for freedom.
If the moral senses can conflict with one another and with what prudent action requires under particular circumstances, then living a good life requires striking a delicate balance among those senses and between them and prudent self-interest.
Mankind’s moral sense is not a strong beacon light, radiating outward to illuminate in sharp outline all that it touches. It is, rather, a small candle flame, casting vague and multiple shadows, flickering and sputtering in the strong winds of power and passion, greed and ideology. But brought close to the heart and cupped in one’s hands, it dispels the darkness and warms the soul.
It’s no surprise that academics in this country have been generally suspicious of business or that in a time like this, when general public confidence in the corporation has fallen, the expressions of hostility grow sharper.
I believe we ought to subsidize some health care for the poor, but Medicare subsidizes everyone’s health care.
There is no way the American public will sit still for the banning of or putting any significant restrictions on the kinds of guns they want.