NCJ Number
85884
Date Published
1980
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study analyzes the changes in criminal violence and the mechanisms in society which influenced these changes in Stockholm during a period of rapid industrialization and a large population increase (1842-1930).
Abstract
Cederqvist (1972) has divided the development of the working class in Stockholm into four periods: (1) the partially preindustrial period until about 1870; (2) the formation stage until the late 1890's, with the emergence of an industrial workers' class and its particular lifestyle; (3) the intermediate stage from the late 1890's until World War II, which was characterized by the separatism and class-consciousness of the working class; and (4) the period of disintegration, when the most important material needs of the industrial workers had been satisfied and when the national economy had become further dependent on the workers' purchasing power. The number of violent crimes was at a markedly low level during only one of these periods: the intermediate stage when a genuine working class was actualized. For the most part, industrialization had a leveling effect by reducing differentiation within the working class. This study hypothesizes that conflicts in the form of criminal violence occurred mainly among members of a stratified working class. When this differentiation was weakened toward the end of the 19th century, the bases for many conflicts disappeared. Aggressions were instead directed against representatives of authority or against members of other classes. The apparent violent crime reduction is not related to police reporting practices since the police department was reorganized and their reporting practices improved precisely when the conviction rates were obviously less. Tabular and graphic data and 11 references are provided.