Economic Contribution in Criminology: Economics of Crime

Abstract

The economic analysis of crime points out to the link between economics and criminology. Many researchers starting from Engels, Bonger, Pausukanis, Kirchheimer, William Chambliss, Richard Quinney and others make a correlation between economics and criminology. Crime is closely associated with poverty, social status in the society, and many other economic problems, as crime produces material and non-material costs. Researches in the United States showed that the years with economic growth were followed by an increase in the crime rate. A growth in crime also appeared in the years when there was an increase in the income per capita. Basically there are primary and secondary economic impacts of crime.

In this paper we will try to present the influence of crime on economics. We will also analyze the movement of the crime rate in the gross domestic product in the Republic of Macedonia. Furthermore, we will offer manners for the use and usefulness of the economic analysis of crime, offering a solution to the policy makers on how to improve the situation in society.

Keywords: economics, criminology, crime, costs, gross domestic product

JEL Classification: K14