| How to Obtain
Documents |
| |
| NCJ Number:
|
NCJ 100166
|
| Title:
|
Law Enforcement Planning - The Limits of an Economic Analysis
|
| Author(s):
|
J L Sedgwick
|
| Sale:
|
Greenwood Publishing Group
88 Post Road West
P.O. Box 5007
Westport, CT 06881-5007
United States |
| Publication Date:
|
1984 |
| Pages:
|
205 |
| Type:
|
Theoretical research |
| Origin:
|
United States |
| Language:
|
English |
| Note:
|
Contributions in Criminology and Penology, Number 6 |
| Annotation:
|
This book examines the application of cost-benefit analysis, or welfare economics, to the formulation of public policies on crime and criminal justice, concluding that economic analysis cannot by itself lead to effective and publicly defensible policies to combat crime. |
| Abstract:
|
A review of basic microeconomic concepts relevant to criminal justice policy proposals considers supply and demand theory, the meaning of equilibrium, marginal costs and benefits, opportunity costs, discounting, risk preference, and optimization under conditions of risk and uncertainty. The author explains how the welfare economist determines the level of crime in a society, along with ways that policymakers have measured crime. An investigation of current literature on law enforcement planning focuses on the degree to which policymakers respond to evidence that supports the superiority of the welfare economic model and potential improvements that this approach could make in planning law enforcement policy. The author argues that cost-benefit analysis suffers from technical problems and that over-reliance on citizen and consumer preference may lead to policies incompatible with American political traditions and respect for human rights. Tables, approximately 150 references, and an index. (Author abstract modified) |
| Main Term(s):
|
Criminal justice system planning |
| Index Term(s):
|
Cost benefit analysis ; Criminal justice system policy ; Economic analysis of crime |
| |
To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=100166
|
* A link to the full-text document is provided whenever possible. For documents
not available online, a link to the publisher's web site is provided.
|
|
Help | Contact Us | Home
