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When Do More Police Induce More Crime?

Author

Listed:
  • Casilda Lasso de la Vega

    (University of the Basque Country)

  • Oscar Volij

    (Ben Gurion University)

  • Federico Weinschelbaum

    (UTDT/CONICET)

Abstract

We provide a necessary and sufficient condition on the equilibrium of a Walrasian economy for an iincrease in police expenditure to induce an increase in crime. This perverse effect is consistent with any appropriation technology and could arise even if the level of police protection is the socially optimal one.

Suggested Citation

  • Casilda Lasso de la Vega & Oscar Volij & Federico Weinschelbaum, 2022. "When Do More Police Induce More Crime?," Working Papers 117, Red Nacional de Investigadores en Economía (RedNIE).
    • Handle: RePEc:aoz:wpaper:117
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    File URL: https://rednie.eco.unc.edu.ar/files/DT/117.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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