NCJ Number
226818
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2009 Pages: 97-118
Date Published
2009
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Given the absence of a criminological theoretical model that can aid in the analysis of violations of international criminal law, this paper aims to promote additional awareness of such crimes as genocide and crimes against humanity, as well as to propose an integrated theory as a frame for a systematic understanding and analysis of the etiological factors involved in such crimes.
Abstract
Genocide and other mass violations of human life and dignity by states, state agencies, militaries, and paramilitaries are not encompassed by any single existing criminological theory. The proposed integrated theory provides the tools needed to analyze and compare such complex events that violate international law. The complexities of these crimes require an examination of catalysts and inhibitors at all levels of analysis. The proposed integrated theory combines insights from criminological theory and other disciplines that help to explain the multiple levels involved in each specific case. Any given incident of international crime is a product of a myriad of social forces that come together in the production of the event at issue. Thus, attention must be given to specific time-space at all levels of analysis: interactional, organizational, state-structural, and international. The features of each of these levels of analysis are explained, and the etiological variables linked to each of these levels of analysis are identified and discussed. In clarifying the causal relationship among the important catalysts for the crimes at issue, the proposed model uses the concept of nodes of interconnection, which account for the specific effect that the combined influence of multiple factors will produce on the outcome variable. The authors argue for the use of this model in the collection and analysis of data related to a specific violation of international criminal law. 3 figures, 5 notes, 39 references, and a listing of treaties, Laws, etc., cited in the paper