2006年-世界发展银行全球_Crime_and_Violence_in_Development___A_Literature_Review_of_Latin_America_and_the_Caribbean_26页_387kb

Summary of "Crime and Violence in Development: A Literature Review of Latin America and the Caribbean"

Core Content

This paper reviews the recent literature on crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), highlighting its magnitude, trends, and impacts on development. The authors argue that crime and violence are not only a major public health issue but also a critical development challenge, affecting economic growth, human capital, and social cohesion.

Main Points

1. Magnitude and Trends of Crime and Violence

• Homicide Rates: Latin America has a homicide rate of over 140,000 per year, which is twice the world average, making it the most violent region after Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Regional Variations: Homicide rates vary across LAC: the Andean region has the highest (51.9 per 100,000), followed by Brazil (30.1), Central America and Hispanic Caribbean (21.1), Mexico (19.5), and the English Caribbean (8.7).
• Post-Conflict Increase: Post-conflict countries like El Salvador saw a 36% increase in homicide rates after the end of civil war.
• Urban vs. Rural Violence: Urban areas are the most affected by violence, with major cities accounting for over half of national homicides. Rural violence is also significant, especially in conflict zones.
• Underreporting: Only 15–30% of violent crimes are reported in LAC, with lower reporting rates in poorer areas due to mistrust in law enforcement and high levels of impunity.
• Youth Violence: Youth, particularly young males, are the primary perpetrators and victims of violence. In 2000, the youth homicide rate in LAC was 36.4 per 100,000, double the African rate.
• Child Abuse: Violence against children is a significant concern, with 6 million minors in the region suffering from severe maltreatment and 80,000 dying annually from injuries caused by family members.

2. Impact on Development

• Economic Costs: Crime and violence cost LAC approximately 14.2% of GDP. In Colombia, the cost of violence (including urban violence and armed conflict) was 18.5% of GDP between 1991 and 1996.
• Human Capital Loss: About 1.9% of GDP is lost annually due to violence in terms of human capital, equivalent to the region's spending on primary education.
• Asset Erosion: Violence disproportionately affects the poor, eroding their assets and livelihoods. It limits access to education and healthcare, which are crucial for human capital accumulation.
• Multiplier Effects: Violence has broader economic and social impacts, including reduced investment, lower productivity, and a negative effect on tourism and government revenue.
• Social Capital Erosion: Violence undermines trust and cooperation, leading to a breakdown in social cohesion and the state's credibility.

3. Root Causes and Determinants of Crime and Violence

• Inequality as a Key Factor: Income inequality, not income levels, is strongly correlated with higher crime and violence rates. A one-point increase in the Gini coefficient is associated with a one-point increase in homicide rates.
• Ecological Model: Violence is influenced by multiple levels: individual (biological, educational, substance abuse), relationship (family, peers), community (neighborhood, schools), and societal (cultural norms, institutional weakness).
• Economic Determinants: The economic approach to crime focuses on expected benefits versus expected punishment. Lower chances of being caught and tried increase the likelihood of criminal behavior.
• Unemployment: While the relationship between unemployment and crime is not conclusive, violence is counter-cyclical, rising during periods of low economic activity.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

• Preventive Measures: The authors stress that preventive strategies and innovative social policies are underutilized but effective in addressing crime and violence.
• Need for Research and Experimentation: More research and operational experimentation are needed to understand and combat the issue effectively.
• Public Health Perspective: Domestic and child violence are considered forms of primary violence prevention, with significant public health and economic implications.

Key Information

• Homicide Cost: In Colombia, the cost of violence was estimated at 18.5% of GNP between 1991 and 1996.
• Youth Homicide Trends: Colombia experienced the most severe increase in youth homicide rates (159% from 1985 to 1994).
• Education's Role: Education has a significant impact on reducing crime, with each year of schooling decreasing the probability of domestic violence by more than 1%.
• Social Impact: Violence has intergenerational effects, reducing quality of life and eroding social capital and democratic participation.

Annexes

• Annex 1: Data sources on crime and violence in LAC.
• Annex 2: Overview of selected papers on crime and violence in LAC.
• Annex 3: Overview of selected empirical papers on crime and violence in LAC.

Final Thoughts

The paper underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of crime and violence in LAC, emphasizing that it is a critical development issue requiring a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. Preventive measures and social policies are highlighted as essential tools for addressing the root causes and mitigating the consequences of violence.