Crime and punishment in times of pandemics

Artikel

How should we think about crime deterrence in times of pandemics? The economic analysis of crime tells us that potential offenders will compare the costs and the benefits from crime and from innocence and then choose whichever option is more profitable. We must therefore ask ourselves how this comparison is affected by the outbreak of a pandemic and the policy changes which may accompany it, such as governmental restrictions, social distancing, and responses to economic crises. Using insights from law and economics, this paper investigates how the various components in the cost-benefit analysis of crime might change during a pandemic, focusing on Covid-19 as a test case. Building on classical theoretical models, existing empirical evidence, and behavioral aspects, the analysis reveals that there are many potentially countervailing effects on crime deterrence. The paper thus highlights the need to carefully consider which aspects are applicable given the circumstances of the pandemic, as whether crime deterrence will increase or decrease should depend on the strength of the effects at play.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Journal: European Journal of Law and Economics ; ISSN: 1572-9990 ; Volume: 54 ; Year: 2021 ; Issue: 2 ; Pages: 155-186 ; New York, NY: Springer US

Klassifikation und Themen

• Klassifikation: Recht ; Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law ; Criminal Law ; Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty ; Health, Education, and Welfare: General
• Thema: Deterrence ; Pandemic ; Covid-19 ; Uncertainty ; Crisis

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Ereignis: Geistige Schöpfung
• (wer): Sarel, Roee
• Ereignis: Veröffentlichung
• (wer): Springer US
• (wo): New York, NY
• (wann): 2021

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: doi:10.1007/s10657-021-09720-7
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 10.03.2025, 11:42 MEZ