Social Protection, Culture, and Lethal Violence: A Cross-National Study of Homicide

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Violence, a global social problem, profoundly impacts individuals. In particular, homicide is one of its tragic manifestations. This study aims to examine the impact of social structure and culture on homicide, adopting a macro-sociological perspective by integrating institutional anomie theory (IAT) and the stream analogy of lethal violence (SALV). IAT posits that social structure and culture dominated by the economy affect crime rates of a society. The SALV extends this perspective, proposing that frustration stemming from social structural and cultural factors serves as a force to homicide. In this context, this study conducts a cross-national analysis with decommodification at the institutional level as a counter force to homicide and neoliberalism at the cultural level as a force to homicide. Further, the research compares pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods, illustrating how global crises, such as the pandemic, may change the dynamics of social structural and cultural factors, thereby altering their impact on homicide. The findings contribute not only to theoretical discourse but also offer insights into the nuanced interplay between societal factors and homicide. The discussion includes limitations and suggestions for future research, offering a comprehensive exploration of the societal factors influencing homicide rates in contemporary societies.

Author

• Junghi Ha, University of Erfurt