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The role of social factors in explaining crime

Author

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  • Siti Nur Zahara HAMZAH

    (Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia)

  • Evan LAU

    (University Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia)

Abstract

Utilizing Malaysia data from 1973 to 2008, the study reveals that crime can be influenced by population, fertility, unemployment, and GDP in either the long-run or short-run period. This study also further analysed beyond sample estimations of the variables involved and found that although violent crime can be explained in the short-run only from the VECM analysis, it is found to be explained by other explanatory variables in the long-run of beyond sample for at least 50 years ahead. It is important for policy makers to focus in both social structure and economic conditions to help prevent crime in the long-run.

Suggested Citation

  • Siti Nur Zahara HAMZAH & Evan LAU, 2013. "The role of social factors in explaining crime," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(6(583)), pages 99-118, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:agr:journl:v:xx:y:2013:i:6(583):p:99-118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Amit Ghosh & Salvador Contreras, 2022. "Local Banking Market Frictions and Youth Crime: Evidence from Bank Failures," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 61(1), pages 43-75, February.
    4. Reihaneh Gaskari & Sarah Yercich, 2022. "Business Cycle and Crime: The Case of British Columbia, Canada," International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, vol. 12(2), pages 3-34.
    5. Jawadi, Fredj & Mallick, Sushanta K. & Idi Cheffou, Abdoulkarim & Augustine, Anish, 2021. "Does higher unemployment lead to greater criminality? Revisiting the debate over the business cycle," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 448-471.
    6. Fassio, Claudio & Geuna, Aldo & Rossi, Federica, 2014. "The Contribution of Academic Knowledge to the Value of Industry Inventions: Micro level evidence from patent inventors," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201422, University of Turin.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fertility; violent; property; unemployment; VECM; causality.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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