The Economics of Crime: An Introduction to the Literature

Abstract

The rapidly growing influence of the economic approach to criminology in academic study and in policy-making is indicated in the abridged bibliography that follows this article. The economists have revived the model of the "rational" criminal and have reopened the question of punishment as a deterrent. In these new studies, however, there is a danger of ignoring the long-run social costs of any particular policy or law. In some circumstances it would be "irrational" for an ex-convict not to return to crime. By using methods such as cost-benefit analysis, systems analysis, and program budgeting, economists are striving to develop criteria for an improved allocation of resources in law enforcement. For research purposes, the econo mists assume that all divisions of the criminal justice system have one goal: the protection of society. All other presumed goals, such as deterrence, rehabilitation, prevention, punishment, and the law itself, are treated as alternative programs imple mented to achieve that goal.

Choosing crime: Close your eyes and take your chances

“…Perceptual deterrence and decision-making theories emphasize the actor's ability to relate action to consequence, which is of Downloaded by [University of Arizona] at 17:21 13 June 2016 the utmost importance in understanding how "risky" decision problems are resolved (e.g., Paternoster, et al 1983;Rettig and Rawson 1963;Rim 1964;Sullivan 1973;Tversky and Kahneman 1981). Relating action to consequence is a result of the actor's percept/ons of the likely outcome of actions, which propel him or her to act in one way or another.…”

Crime and the city: Domestic burglary and the built environment in Tehran

“…Therefore, risks associated with crime include factors that increase the chances of criminal activities to be discovered i.e. by being seen, reported to the police, or result in arrest and conviction (Graham & Bennett, 1995;Sullivan, 1973). The main risks known to be associated with burglary are surveillance, occupancy, and accessibility (Brantingham & Brantingham, 1991;Rengert & Wasilchick, 1985;Bennett & Wright, 1984;Waller & Okihiro, 1978).…”

The Will to Violence

“…Its focus is the actor as an individual, rationally calculating source of action. The actor's 'free choice' is a central feature, and in general terms it is possible to say that rational choice theory assumes that an individual will undertake violent action if he or she thinks, on the basis of a rational calculation, that such action will be most rewarding-in the sense of maximizing wealth or 'utility' in general-in a given situation (see, for example, Sullivan, 1973;Heineke, 1978). This theory has the advantage of having a relatively close focus.…”