ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

• NCJ Number: 39289
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1976) Pages: 458-462
• Author(s): A D STONE
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ARTICLE EXAMINES FOUR PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES TO THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF CRIME.

Abstract

THE FOUR APPROACHES INVOLVE THE ANTI-CAPITALIST APPROACH, AGGREGATE MODELS, PUBLIC FINANCE MODELS, AND CRIME OUTPUT MODELS. THE ANTICAPITALIST APPROACH IS GROUNDED ON THE MARXIST CONCEPTION THAT CAPITALISM IS THE CAUSE OF MOST FORMS OF CRIME. THE AGGREGATE APPROACH IDENTIFIES SUCH FACTORS AS INCOME LEVEL, DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME, AND UNEMPLOYMENT AS CAUSAL IN CRIME STATISTICS. IT ARGUES THAT HIGHER INCOMES AND STEADY EMPLOYMENT CONTRIBUTE TO CUTTING CRIME. THE PUBLIC FINANCE MODEL STRESSES THE MODERNIZATION, DIVERSIFICATION, AND INCREASE IN CRIME-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES AS MAJOR FACTORS IN REDUCING CRIME. CRIME OUTPUT MODELS, WHICH THE AUTHOR SAYS IS THE MOST RAPIDLY GROWING AREA, IDENTIFIES CONTROL VARIABLES AS IT ATTEMPTS TO SPECIFY A PRODUCTION RELATION FOR CHANGES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES AND RESULTANT CHANGES IN OFFENSES....BS