Social disorganization theory and crime in the advanced countries: two centuries of evidence

Zeresh Errol; Jakob B. Madsen; Solmaz Moslehi

doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2021.09.017

Social disorganization theory and crime in the advanced countries: two centuries of evidence

Zeresh Errol, Jakob B. Madsen, Solmaz Moslehi

Department of Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

According to social disorganization theory, a well-developed family and community structure is a pre-condition for low crime rates. Using annual data for 16 advanced countries constructed for two centuries, this paper examines the extent to which the changing family and community structures over the past two centuries have influenced the evolution of crime. Furthermore, we test whether a weakened family structure has a stronger effect on crime in communities with weak social networks by allowing for the interaction between urbanization (community network) and divorce rates (family network). Broadly, we find that changes in family and community structures and their interaction have been influential for the evolution of crime rates since 1810.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	519-537
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Volume	191
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2021.09.017
Publication status	Published - Nov 2021

Keywords

History of crime
Property crime
Social disorganization theory
Violent crime

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.jebo.2021.09.017

Cite this

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title = "Social disorganization theory and crime in the advanced countries: two centuries of evidence",

abstract = "According to social disorganization theory, a well-developed family and community structure is a pre-condition for low crime rates. Using annual data for 16 advanced countries constructed for two centuries, this paper examines the extent to which the changing family and community structures over the past two centuries have influenced the evolution of crime. Furthermore, we test whether a weakened family structure has a stronger effect on crime in communities with weak social networks by allowing for the interaction between urbanization (community network) and divorce rates (family network). Broadly, we find that changes in family and community structures and their interaction have been influential for the evolution of crime rates since 1810.",

keywords = "History of crime, Property crime, Social disorganization theory, Violent crime",

author = "Zeresh Errol and Madsen, {Jakob B.} and Solmaz Moslehi",

note = "Funding Information: Helpful comments and suggestions from two referees, the Associate Editor (Matteo Picchio), Yves Zenou and seminar participants at Monash University are gratefully acknowledged. Jakob Madsen acknowledges financial support from the Australian Research Council, Grants DP150100061 and DP170100339. Funding Information: Helpful comments and suggestions from two referees, the Associate Editor (Matteo Picchio), Yves Zenou and seminar participants at Monash University are gratefully acknowledged. Jakob Madsen acknowledges financial support from the Australian Research Council, Grants DP150100061 and DP170100339. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2021",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1016/j.jebo.2021.09.017",

language = "English",

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pages = "519--537",

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AU - Madsen, Jakob B.

AU - Moslehi, Solmaz

N1 - Funding Information: Helpful comments and suggestions from two referees, the Associate Editor (Matteo Picchio), Yves Zenou and seminar participants at Monash University are gratefully acknowledged. Jakob Madsen acknowledges financial support from the Australian Research Council, Grants DP150100061 and DP170100339. Funding Information: Helpful comments and suggestions from two referees, the Associate Editor (Matteo Picchio), Yves Zenou and seminar participants at Monash University are gratefully acknowledged. Jakob Madsen acknowledges financial support from the Australian Research Council, Grants DP150100061 and DP170100339. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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AB - According to social disorganization theory, a well-developed family and community structure is a pre-condition for low crime rates. Using annual data for 16 advanced countries constructed for two centuries, this paper examines the extent to which the changing family and community structures over the past two centuries have influenced the evolution of crime. Furthermore, we test whether a weakened family structure has a stronger effect on crime in communities with weak social networks by allowing for the interaction between urbanization (community network) and divorce rates (family network). Broadly, we find that changes in family and community structures and their interaction have been influential for the evolution of crime rates since 1810.

KW - History of crime

KW - Property crime

KW - Social disorganization theory

KW - Violent crime

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VL - 191

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EP - 537

JO - Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization

JF - Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization

ER -

Social disorganization theory and crime in the advanced countries: two centuries of evidence

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Government, Institutions and Economic Activity: A Long Term Analysis

Inequality and Economic Growth: Implications for Australia and the OECD

Cite this

Social disorganization theory and crime in the advanced countries: two centuries of evidence

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Projects

Government, Institutions and Economic Activity: A Long Term Analysis

Inequality and Economic Growth: Implications for Australia and the OECD

Cite this