Market Mentality as Criminogenic: Norm Transmission Strength and Juvenile Delinquency in Russia and Germany

• In Event: Cross-National Examinations of Culture, Disorganization, and Anomie

Abstract

Institutional anomy theory (IAT) assumes that a weakening of non-economic institutions through the dominance of the economy not only results in the penetration of market mentality into these institutions (and a specific increase of acquisitive crimes), but also in an impairment of formal and informal controls (and a general increase of crime). This paper elaborates on the concept of norm transmission strength (NTS) of non-economic institutions and presents findings which show its relevance for explaining self-reported delinquency of juveniles in Russia and Germany. The resistance of non-economic institutions against fraudulent behavior and profiteering (through the concept of NTS) can explain both differences of crime rates between urban districts in both countries and individual delinquent behavior. Additionally, NTS buffers the relationship between criminal intentions and criminal acts, thereby supporting a basic premise of IAT. Methodological problems and implications for future studies are discussed.

Author

• Dirk Enzmann, University of Hamburg