moral enterprise

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moral enterprise Within labelling theory, there is an interest in how rules are produced and enforced, an issue which Howard Becker (in Outsiders) calls the theory of moral enterprise. Moral enterprise thus refers to the processes involved in creating an awareness of issues and following them through into the statute-book. Moral entrepreneurs are the rule-makers, campaigners, and enforcers. See also MORAL CRUSADE; MORAL PANIC.

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