Economic Models of Crime and Punishment.

Donohue III, John J.

The article presents an exploration into the causes behind the rise in crime rates in the U.S. during the 1960s and their subsequent decline during the 1990s through the economic model of crime as proposed by Gary Becker. Becker's socio-mathematical modeling of crime behavior through social cost-reward structures is outlined, highlighting its presence as a counter-view to the success of strict criminal justice programs. The article then argues against the construction of prisons across the U.S. and condemns it for the increasing crime rate in the country. It also emphasizes the need to focus on reducing crime by developing social programs aimed at managing criminal behavior.

UNITED States; CRIME prevention; ECONOMIC models; BECKER, Gary S. (Gary Stanley), 1930-2014; CRIMINAL behavior; SOCIAL conditions in the United States, 1960-1980; SOCIAL conditions in the United States, 1980-; ECONOMICS

Social Research, 2007, Vol 74, Issue 2, p379

0037-783X

Academic Journal

10.1353/sor.2007.0028