THE POLITICS OF CRIME

This Essay examines the passage of, and subsequent assault on, the Vio lent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. After surveying th e ongoing partisan battle to control the ''crime issue,'' the authors detail the events surrounding the passage of the Act. Having been part of the Clinton administration, the authors are able to offer the read er a ''behind the scenes'' glance at President Clinton's action, or in action, during this debate. In addition, the authors discuss the polit ical tensions caused by particular sections in the Act, including the assault weapons ban and the Racial Justice provision. Finally, the aut hors suggest six basic lessons about the impact and importance of crim e in American politics.