This study explores correlations between economic conditions, crime rates, and federal criminal justice legislation in the United States from 1948 to 1987. We expand on the punishment and social structure literature, inspired by Georg Rusche, by introducing new variables for operationalizing the political economy and criminal justice policy. We conduct a multivariate time-series analysis using various national economic indicators of the conditions of capital and labor over 40 years. The findings provide some support for a relationship between economic conditions and criminal justice legislation, even when crime rate is controlled.
Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the meetings of the American Society of Criminology in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the meetings of the American Society of Criminology in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
Notes
Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the meetings of the American Society of Criminology in 1988, 1989, and 1990.