Comparing Violent Crime in the Soviet Union and the United States: 1985-1991

• NCJ Number: 158812
• Journal: Studies on Crime and Crime Prevention Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (1995) Pages: 252-266
• Author(s): J L Williams; A S Serrins
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using recently compiled data from the former Soviet Union, this paper describes major trends and patterns in the rate of violent crime in the Soviet Union during the period 1985-91 and compares it with the United States, along with the characteristics of persons arrested for these offenses.

Abstract

Data on violent crime in the Soviet Union were obtained from two primary sources. Data were first drawn from a statistical publication released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Moscow and then from a monograph that contains data from statistical reports obtained from officials at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Moscow. Data on violent crime in the United States were compiled from the Uniform Crime Reports (Department of Justice 1986-92). The most notable finding was the consistently higher rates of violent crime in the United States throughout this period. The exception was the case of homicide rates that by 1990 had become higher than those in the United States. Although by no means conclusive, the data suggest that at least part of the differences in violent crime rates, as measured by arrest rates, between the United States and the Soviet Union during this period can be attributed to the involvement of African-Americans. Examination of the characteristics of arrested persons showed significant differences as well as some similarities. In both Nations, the overwhelming number of arrests were of men. American women were consistently more involved in violent offenses than Soviet women. Several age differences were noted, including the greater average age for homicide offenders in the Soviet Union, the greater average age for those arrested for rape in the United States, and the greater age of those arrested for aggravated assault in the Soviet Union. Additional research is needed to examine more closely the age and gender differences. 8 tables and 24 references