NCJ Number
190170
Journal
Revija za Kriminalistiko in Kriminologijo Volume: 51 Issue: 3 Dated: July-September 2000 Pages: 216-221
Date Published
2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examines the relationship of the wealth of a given country to its response to crime.
Abstract
The wealth of a given country is generally estimated by the level of income per inhabitant. This figure seems particularly important at the time of Slovenia's accession to Europe. Many years ago, United Nations professionals developed some additional criteria for measuring the wealth and poverty that offer a surprising picture. Countries that are considered, in accordance with common criteria, to be rich are in fact poor according to these new criteria. Amazing results are found when the scale of wealth and poverty (formulated on the basis of these new criteria) are compared with the response of these countries to crime, based on statistical calculations of correlation. According to this new methodology, the poorer the country, the more repressive is its reaction to groups and individuals with social marginality. Moreover, the influence of Western countries on the creation of poverty in countries in transition is far larger than is imagined. This can be partially attributed to the inadequate mechanisms of control over investments and partially to the fact that differences between rich and poor parts of the population in many of the Western democracies have become a part of the system of values, resulting in a desensitization of developed countries to the issue of poverty. Countries in transition must decide whether a social component will be incorporated in their economic development, implying also a tolerant reaction to crime, or they will allow the values of unrestricted market liberalism to prevail, leading to the formation of an underclass, together with correspondent delinquency and an increasingly repressive response to marginal social groups. This will soon be reflected in an increase in conviction rates. 4 tables and 15 references