NCJ Number
106427
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (1987) Pages: 245-254
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The seminal theory of Gary Becker and all the literature derived from his theory on the welfare analysis of crime and punishment are summarized, along with a generalized and up-to-date adaption of Becker's theory in which the weights in the social welfare functions attached to the utility levels of victims, offenders, and other citizens can vary.
Abstract
The crucial assumption of all those following or adapting Becker's theory is the nature of the underlying social welfare function. In this article, the normative theory of the economics of crime is modernized to match other aspects of public sector microeconomic theory. The utilities of victims of crime, criminals, and other citizens have different weights in a social welfare function. An increase in the weight attached to the victims of crime results in increases in the optimal levels of punishment and probability of apprehension and conviction and a decline in the optimal number of offenses. An increase in the weight attached to offenders results in decreases in the optimal levels of punishment and probability of apprehension and conviction and an increase in the number of offenses. The current public demand for stricter penalties and more effective law enforcement stems probably from an increase in the weight which society attaches to the utility of victims of crime. Researchers must address the nature of the underlying social welfare function in order to develop the normative theory of the economics of crime further. 1 figure and 11 references. (Author abstract modified)