A New Theoretical Framework for Comparative Criminology: The Relationism Theory

• In Event: Cross-Cultural Studies on Crime and Criminal Justice

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to the field of comparative criminology by providing a robust theoretical framework for understanding criminal justice behavior. It investigates justice outcomes at multiple levels, including the system, institutional, and individual agent levels, through a mix of a comparative line of causal processes.
The proposed framework incorporates a combination of comparative mechanisms to interpret criminal justice outcomes. It encompasses both relationism and individualistic conceptions of justice. Importantly, this framework is designed to be applicable across diverse cultural contexts, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice phenomena across different societies.

Author

• Jianhong Liu, The University of Macau