The Impact of Structural Conflict on Violent Crime and Countermeasures‌

• In Event: Advancing Crime and Criminal Justice Research with Innovative Methods

Abstract

Homicide represents the most extreme manifestation of violent crime. Data shows that homicide case filings in China decreased by 48.8% from 2013 to 2023. However, high-profile indiscriminate killing incidents (e.g., the 2023 Zhuhai case where Fan Mou drove into a sports crowd, causing 35 deaths and 43 injuries) have triggered widespread social anxiety due to rapid information dissemination in the digital age.
Structural conflict refers to inherent contradictions in social structures, cultural frameworks, and institutional arrangements that cannot be resolved through interpersonal mediation, with core elements including unfairness, injustice, and discrimination. The research reveals two forms of relationship between structural conflict and violent crime: (1) ‌explicit conflict‌ demonstrates direct causality with violent crime, manifesting as open confrontation and retaliatory acts; (2) implicit conflict‌ involves indirect, non-public confrontations characterized by pressure accumulation leading to explosive outbursts. When examining this relationship, criminal personality traits and victim factors also serve as critical factors of violent crime. Prevention strategies should prioritize the following measures: adopting a "critique-empowerment" model, combating discrimination as part of anti-violence efforts, and mplementing structural reforms to address root causes of structural conflict.

Author

• Jing Zhang, Beijing University of Technology