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Local Inequality and Crime: Exploring how Variation in the Scale of Inequality Measures Affects Relationships between Inequality and Crime

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  • Adam Whitworth

Abstract

There is considerable interest in the role of inequality in affecting social outcomes yet there is also uncertainty and disagreement about the appropriate scale at which to measure inequality within such analyses. Whilst some have argued for larger-area inequality measures to be used there are good theoretical, empirical and intuitive grounds to think that local inequality may have relevance as a driver of social ills. This paper explores whether differing understandings of ‘local’ inequality does—or can—matter and, if so, within which contexts this is the case. Contrasting findings across the two areas support the notion that local inequality does have relevance to social outcomes but that the socio-spatial context matters.

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  • Adam Whitworth, 2013. "Local Inequality and Crime: Exploring how Variation in the Scale of Inequality Measures Affects Relationships between Inequality and Crime," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(4), pages 725-741, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:50:y:2013:i:4:p:725-741
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098012455716
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    Cited by:

    1. Baumann, Florian & Friehe, Tim, 2015. "Status concerns as a motive for crime?," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 46-55.
    2. Bertram Chukwudum Ifeanyi OKPOKWASILI, 2016. "Income Inequality: Impact of Inequality Measures on Crimes An Analysis of the State of New Jersey," International Journal of Business and Social Research, MIR Center for Socio-Economic Research, vol. 6(4), pages 12-27, April.

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