NCJ Number
161039
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: (1995) Pages: 501-518
Date Published
1995
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The general theory of crime proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) claims to be valid across time and space, and that claim is assessed through an analysis of three crime categories in Nigeria: normal, political-economic, and riotous.
Abstract
Gottfredson and Hirschi argue that individuals who commit crime, which they define as acts of force or fraud undertaken in pursuit of self-interest, are characterized by low levels of self-control. Normal crime in Nigeria, which closely resembles western crime and delinquency and which includes burglary and robbery, is perhaps the most appropriate crime category the general theory of crime explains. Explanations of normal crime tend to emphasize social and psychological dislocation experienced by Nigerian society and individuals as development is sought and slowly achieved. Explanations of elite corruption and political-economic crimes tend to stress individual traits such as greed, selfishness, and lack of moral integrity and the almost irresistible lure posed by quick financial gain. Explanations of riotous behavior tend to see riots as the inevitable outcome of competition for scarce resources. Logical, empirical, and theoretical shortcomings of the general theory of crime are identified and discussed. The authors note that many individuals who commit criminal acts in Nigeria do not seem to fit the low self-control characterization of the theory and that logical and theoretical value assumptions built into the theory undermine its claim to universality. 66 references, 35 notes, and 1 table