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Happiness and Beliefs in Criminal Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael Di Tella
  • Robert MacCulloch
  • Hugo Nopo

Abstract

This paper uses newly available data to describe the distribution of crime victimization and other criminal activities (including drug trafficking and corruption) around the world. The paper then documents a negative (positive) correlation between measures of criminal activity and happiness and measures of positive (negative) emotions. The paper also studies the correlation between ideological beliefs and criminal activity, finding that crime victims are more likely to believe that hard work does not pay and that the government should increase the amount of redistribution to the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Di Tella & Robert MacCulloch & Hugo Nopo, 2009. "Happiness and Beliefs in Criminal Environments," Research Department Publications 4605, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:wpaper:4605
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. repec:idb:brikps:43498 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Londoño, Juan Luis & Guerrero, Rodrigo & Couttolene, Bernard & Cano, Ignácio & Carneiro, Leandro Piquet & Phebo, Luciana & Rubio, Mauricio & Cruz, José Miguel & González, Luis Armando & Romano, Luis E, 2000. "Asalto al desarrollo: Violencia en América Latina," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 320, May.
    13. Fajnzylber, Pablo & Lederman, Daniel & Loayza, Norman, 2002. "Inequality and Violent Crime," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 45(1), pages 1-40, April.
    14. Gaviria, Alejandro & Pagés, Carmen, 1999. "Patterns of Crime Victimization in Latin America," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 1102, Inter-American Development Bank.
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    18. Alejandro Gaviria Uribe & Carlos Eduardo Vélez, 2001. "Who Bears the Burden of Crime in Colombia," Informes de Investigación 3776, Fedesarrollo.
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    20. Steven D. Levitt, 1999. "The changing relationship between income and crime victimization," Economic Policy Review, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, vol. 5(Sep), pages 87-98.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Dedehouanou, Senakpon & Maertens, Miet, 2011. "Participation in Modern Agri-Food Supply Chain in Senegal and Happiness," 2011 International Congress, August 30-September 2, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland 114447, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    2. Carolina Ortega Londoño & Daniel Gómez Mesa & Lina Cardona-Sosa & Catalina Gómez Toro, 2019. "Happiness and Victimization in Latin America," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 935-954, March.
    3. Senakpon F. A. Dedehouanou & Johan Swinnen & Miet Maertens, 2013. "Does Contracting Make Farmers Happy? Evidence from Senegal," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 59, pages 138-160, October.
    4. Romero Dario, 2014. "Insecurity or Perception of Insecurity? Urban Crime and Dissatisfaction with Life: Evidence from the Case of Bogotá," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 20(1), pages 169-208, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Happiness; crime; beliefs; income distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • I39 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Other
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • Y80 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Related Disciplines - - - Related Disciplines

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