That’s my take. And I don’t have a damn criminology degree to come up with that. (Not to say it’s necessarily true, but it rings true to me.)
It’s good that you say that. There are occasions where what seems reasonable, really isn’t after investigating the issue.
Regarding crime and punishment: First, I also don’t specialize in criminology, but I have read a bunch of scientific papers regarding the effect of severity of punishment on crime rates. From what I’ve gathered, more severe punishments usually do not reduce crime rates. A prominent example are death sentences, which virtually do nothing to reduce crime rates. Instead, the danger of being caught seems to be more effective.
However, this does of course not encompass the causes of crime, which can be manifold. It’s not always stuff like the satifaction of basic needs. Take a look at big companies or rich individuals, who commit tax fraud for example. Or people who murder or harm others out of unstable emotions. Would you say they are out of options?
But I don’t know about numbers and associated causes for crime in an average populace. It could be enlightening to take a look at that.
Take a look at big companies or rich individuals, who commit tax fraud for example. Or people who murder or harm others out of unstable emotions. Would you say they are out of options?
Definitely not, that’s why I made sure to say “usually”, because the number of crimes that require a lot of resources to begin with, and murders who occur due to mental illness are surely outnumbered by crimes that happen out of necessity, I imagine. I’d also like to see statistics on this. (And have the energy to study it, of course.)
It’s good that you say that. There are occasions where what seems reasonable, really isn’t after investigating the issue.
Regarding crime and punishment: First, I also don’t specialize in criminology, but I have read a bunch of scientific papers regarding the effect of severity of punishment on crime rates. From what I’ve gathered, more severe punishments usually do not reduce crime rates. A prominent example are death sentences, which virtually do nothing to reduce crime rates. Instead, the danger of being caught seems to be more effective.
However, this does of course not encompass the causes of crime, which can be manifold. It’s not always stuff like the satifaction of basic needs. Take a look at big companies or rich individuals, who commit tax fraud for example. Or people who murder or harm others out of unstable emotions. Would you say they are out of options?
But I don’t know about numbers and associated causes for crime in an average populace. It could be enlightening to take a look at that.
Definitely not, that’s why I made sure to say “usually”, because the number of crimes that require a lot of resources to begin with, and murders who occur due to mental illness are surely outnumbered by crimes that happen out of necessity, I imagine. I’d also like to see statistics on this. (And have the energy to study it, of course.)