NCJ Number
166220
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 20 Issue: 1 & 2 Dated: (Spring/Fall 1996) Pages: 77-82
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper attempts to determine how the dynamics of the Eastern European sociopolitical process explain the rising crime rates.
Abstract
The paper discusses how and why, to the extent that crime is a product of sociopolitical change, crime rates are bound to increase much more during a socialism-to-capitalism transition than during a capitalism-to-socialism one. Inherent traits of the socialism-to-capitalism transformation which may explain this increase include: (1) social discontent with negative social phenomena such as unemployment (which was always at zero level in socialism), increasing poverty, and a widening gap between the few rich business people and the overwhelming majority who have been getting poorer; (2) abuses committed in the process of ownership transformations by business people taking advantage of inconsistencies and gaps in the new capitalism's legal system; (3) capitalism's high level of personal initiative, entrepreneurship, courage, and risk-taking, whereas socialism took care of virtually everything; and (4) easing or border restrictions, allowing entry of criminal elements from abroad. Notes, references