Criminal Dilemmas: Understanding and Preventing Crime

by Katri K. Sieberg

Overview

Crime is frightening. It breeds emotional responses which can lead to counterproductive governmental policy. To allow a rational analysis of these important concerns, Criminal Dilemmas applies intuition from economics, political science, and game theory as a way to develop new perspectives about crime and its causes. A basic assumption is that the criminal is a rational actor who makes decisions based on his or her personal expected gains and costs. By using this assumption, predictions about behavior, as well as emotional concerns such as prostitution and gun control, find a theoretical perspective. By understanding the strategic variables which cause, for example, gangs and their warfare, drug sales and the accompanying violence, we have a better chance to design effective public policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783662045435
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	03/09/2013
Series:	Studies in Economic Theory , #12
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

Table of Contents

Alternative Sentencing.- Prisons.- Protection of the Public.- Conclusion.- Private Prisons.- Privatization Vs Public Service.- Power and Money: Expanding Imprisonment and Profit.- Conclusion.- Prostitution.- Victimless Crime.- The Economics of Prostitution.- Consequences and Costs of Hiding.- Pimps for Illegal Prostitution.- Unilateral Legalization.- Conclusion.- Drugs.- Introduction.- Illegal Vs Legal Drugs.- Supply Vs Demand.- Violence.- Legalization.- Legal - The Zurich Problem.- Conclusion.- Gangs.- Motivations for Membership.- Extortion Model.- Job Search and the Market for Crime.- Conclusion.- Gun Control.- Introduction.- Gun Control.- The Right to Bear Arms.- Deterrence.- Model.- Statistics.- Implications and Suggestions.- Conclusion.