Thinking About CrimeAs crime rates inexorably rose during the tumultuous years of the 1970s, disputes over how to handle the violence sweeping the nation quickly escalated. James Q. Wilson redefined the public debate by offering a brilliant and provocative new argument—that criminal activity is largely rational and shaped by the rewards and penalties it offers—and forever changed the way Americans think about crime. Now with a new foreword by the prominent scholar and best-selling author Charles Murray, this revised edition of Thinking About Crime introduces a new generation of readers to the theories and ideas that have been so influential in shaping the American justice system. |
Contents
The Paradox of the Sixties | 3 |
Crime and Community | 16 |
Thinking About Crime | 30 |
The Police and Crime | 49 |
The Police and Neighborhood Safety | 63 |
The Police and Community Relations | 78 |
Penalties and Opportunities | 105 |
Incapacitation | 133 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
addicts adult Alfred Blumstein American analysis areas arrested average behavior believe Brian Forst burglary capital punishment causes of crime changes chapter Chicago cities citizens committed convicted costs crime rates criminal justice system Criminology criticism death penalty decline delinquents deterrence deterrent effect drug efforts estimated evaluation evidence executions experience fact Gun Control guns heroin high-rate offenders homicide imprisonment incapacitation increase individual INSLAW involved James Q Journal judges Kerner Commission large numbers law enforcement least legal drinking age less major Martinson methadone middle-class moral murder rate National neighborhood offense rates patrol percent perhaps persons police officers population prevent probably problem programs reason recidivism reduce crime rehabilitation Research result risk robbery sanctions sentences serious crimes shooting social society statistical street temperance movement theory Thinking About Crime treatment unemployment urban victims violent Washington whites York young youth