The Dynamic Theory of Homicide: How Adverse Social Conditions and Formal Social Control Shape the Homicide Rates of 145 Countries

• In Event: Cross-national Studies of Violence

Abstract

Cross-national comparisons of crime across the world consistently show that the homicide rate is higher in more impoverished countries. However, the role of formal social control as mediators between social conditions and homicide has never been investigated across a large number of countries. To provide data on the efficiency of criminal justice systems across the world, we found 1223 experts and had them fill out a questionnaire, providing data for 145 countries. Results of a structural equations modelling (Amos) show that adverse social conditions (collective and individual poverty, inequality, and youthfulness of the population) downwardly affect the level of formal social control (rule of law, low corruption, effectiveness and appreciation of the criminal justice agencies). Low levels of formal social control lead to higher levels of homicide. In other words, the effect of adverse social conditions on homicide is mediated by the formal social control.

Authors

• Marc Ouimet, Université de Montréal

• Claire Chabot, Université de Montréal