Final answer:
White-collar crime is often perceived as less harmful than conventional crime because its impact is not as visibly emotional, the victims are often corporations, and such crimes are complex to prosecute.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason white-collar crime has been the focus of far less public policy concern than conventional crime is not necessarily that it is less harmful to society, but it can be perceived as such. White-collar crimes, like those mentioned in the question, often involve financial fraud or deception, which may not be as immediately visible or emotionally impactful as violent crimes. Plus, their victims are often corporations, which may not garner as much sympathy as individual victims. Furthermore, these types of crimes can be more complex to prosecute due to their nature, and they primarily affect demographics with significant influence and resources to defend themselves legally.