Situational logic in social science inquiry: From economics to criminology

Abstract

Karl R. Popper proposed that the method of explanation in economics, or situational logic, should become the general model for analyses across the social sciences. This article makes good Popper's proposal by extending situational logic to a social problem outside the traditional scope of economics: crime. Specifically, the discussion reviews models developed by economist Gary S. Becker and criminologist Ronald V. Clarke. Becker's ‘economic approach’ to crime incorporates essential features of situational logic. Clarke's ‘situational crime prevention’ offers an even better demonstration; it explicitly incorporates the ideas of piecemeal social engineering and unintended social repercussions. Popper took situational logic from Menger and the Austrians, making this emerging area of criminology an extension of Austrian economics. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007Karl Popper, Situational logic, Gary S. Becker, Austrian economics, Situational crime prevention, R.V.G. Clarke,

Beccaria and Situational Crime Prevention

“…Beccaria (1764), although at times ambivalent and unclear in his writings, criticized punishments that included mutilations of the body as too harsh (Newman & Marongiu, 1990. And as described below, SCP proponents have questioned the increased use of prisons that also usually include the unsanctioned collateral damages of physical violations of offenders to reduce crime (Knepper, 2007;Newman, 1983Newman, , 1985.…”

“…. between crime preventers and adaptive offenders who innovate, exploit, change, and enjoy the obsolescence of familiar crime prevention methods'' (see also Knepper, 2007;Tilley, 2004).…”