NCJ Number
113014
Journal
Sociological Quarterly Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: (1988) Pages: 281-313
Date Published
1988
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Cross-national studies of crime are dominated by a Durkheimian-Modernization theoretical perspective.
Abstract
We evaluate this perspective and present two alternatives, the Marxian-World System and Ecological-Opportunity perspectives. Each is for its theory of social change, causal explanation, and view of the relation between collective political behavior and crime. The empirical evidence is assessed and weak support is found for the dominant perspective. The article concludes by reconsidering the concepts of economic development and crime rates. (Author abstract)