Theoretical development of comparative criminology: Rekindling an interest

Evans, T. David; LaGrange, Randy; Willis, Cecil L.

doi:10.1080/01924036.1996.9678559

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Not only do perceptions of legitimacy affect citizens’ interactions with state rules and officials, but also they color the effectiveness and development of other institutions that can strengthen or weaken mechanisms of social control. In a field that is considered “theoretically lean” (Evans, LaGrange, & Willis, 1996, p. 25), a more holistic conceptual framework can bring together disparate variable-driven research and increase the value of cross-national criminology. In the words of David Held (1991, p. 4), “we seem to know more about the parts and less about the whole; and we risk knowing very little even about the parts because their context and conditions of existence in the whole are eclipsed from view.”…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do legitimate polities have fewer homicides? A cross-national analysis

Nivette

Eisner

2012

Homicide Studies

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This research is concerned with developing and testing models of political legitimacy as a predictor of homicide on the cross-national level. Specifically, we used Bruce Gilley’s (2006) theoretically driven indicator of political legitimacy to examine its direct and moderating effects on homicide. This measure is available for 65 nations, and is composed of indicators representing a state’s capacity to obey its own laws (legality), the degree to which civil and political values coincide (justification), and the level of behavioral consent of the people (consent). After controlling for a number of widely acknowledged predictors, legitimacy was found to be significantly negatively related to homicide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do legitimate polities have fewer homicides? A cross-national analysis

Nivette

Eisner

2012

Homicide Studies

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“…As yet, no study has attempted to statistically analyze the status of cross-national empirical research, which is somewhat surprising due to the proclaimed importance of the comparative perspective for theoretical development (Bennett, 2004;Braithwaite, 1989;Evans, LaGrange, & Willis, 1996). There are a few narrative research syntheses (LaFree, 1999;Pridemore, 2002;Pridemore & Trent, 2010;Stamatel, 2006), but only two studies have attempted to statistically assess the aggregate effect of macro-level indicators and theories (see Hsieh & Pugh, 1993;Pratt & Cullen, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-National Predictors of Crime: A Meta-Analysis

2011

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Cross-national research has increased in the past few decades, resulting in a large body of empirical research. In particular, cross-national studies are often limited in data sources, which restrict variable selection to debatable proxy indicators. This study therefore uses meta-analytic techniques to examine major cross-national predictors of homicide to determine strengths and weaknesses in theory and design. The findings indicate several critical limitations to cross-national research, including biased sample composition, a lack of theoretical clarity in predictor operationalizations, and an overwhelming reliance on cross-sectional design. The predictors that showed the strongest mean effects were Latin American regional dummy variables, income inequality indicators and the Decommodification Index. Conversely, static population indicators, democracy indices, and measures of economic development had the weakest effects on homicide.

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“…Comparative research may also provide additional insight into the ideological forces behind the use of punishment (Evans, Lagrange, & Willis, 1996;Sparks, 2003;Vagg, 1993;Weiss & South, 1998). Indeed, as data from larger crossnational samples have become more reliable, valid, and accessible, a growing body of comparative work has increased our understanding of both crime (LaFree & Drass, 2002;Messner & Rosenfeld, 1997;Pratt & Godsey, 2002) and criminal justice processes (Maguire, Howard, & Newman, 1998;Neapolitan, 2001).…”

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confidence: 97%