NCJ Number
20065
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY-MARCH 1973) Pages: 65-70
Date Published
1973
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL CHANGES UNDERGONE IN WEST AFRICA AS A RESULT OF RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND ANALYZES THE CRIMINOGENIC CONDITIONS CREATED BY THESE WIDESPREAD CHANGES.
Abstract
DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES ARISING FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE FIRST INVESTIGATED. THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS HAVE EMERGED: A POPULATION INCREASE DUE TO IMPROVED MEDICAL SERVICES; A GREAT INCREASE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUTHS IN THE POPULATION; MIGRATIONS OF YOUNG MALES TO THE URBAN CENTERS; AND A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF YOUNG FEMALES AND OLDER PERSONS REMAINING IN THE COUNTRY. SEVERAL SOCIAL CHANGES HAVE ALSO RESULTED FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING URBANIZATION, A DECLINE IN AGRICULTURAL POPULATIONS, THE LOSS OF TRIBAL CUSTOMS, THE RISE OF THE NUCLEAR FAMILY, AND THE MANIFESTATION OF SUCH SOCIAL PROBLEMS AS SLUMS AND URBAN POVERTY ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS NOTED THAT RAPID CHANGE BROUGHT ABOUT BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS REDUCED THE STABILITY OF THE TRADITIONAL CULTURES AND CAUSED SEVERAL CONDITIONS WHICH PROMOTE CRIME. FINALLY, THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE TYPES OF CRIMES AND LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF CRIMES FOUND IN WEST AFRICA. IT IS NOTED THAT TWO CONCEPTIONS OF CRIME EXIST, AND SOMETIMES COME INTO CONFLICT: MODERN LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF CRIME AND THE OLDER COMMON LAW. --IN FRENCH