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Identifying Efficient Crime‐Combating Policies by VAR Models: The Example of Switzerland

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  • Patricia Funk
  • Peter Kugler

Abstract

Current research suggests that the crime‐combating instrument sentence probability is more effective than sentence severity. However, the focus of the simultaneous (or very short‐run) impact of the law enforcement policy on crime impedes a comparison of these two instruments with respect to their long‐term effectiveness. With Swiss data, this article investigates the dynamic interrelationships between enforcement policy and crime and finds that overall, sentence severity is about the same effective as sentence probability. Furthermore, the authors show how the VAR‐modeling technique can be exploited to conveniently distinguish between deterrence and incapacitation effects. More concrete recommendations toward a cost‐effective crime‐reduction policy can be derived. (JEL C32, K42)

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Funk & Peter Kugler, 2003. "Identifying Efficient Crime‐Combating Policies by VAR Models: The Example of Switzerland," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 21(4), pages 525-538, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:21:y:2003:i:4:p:525-538
    DOI: 10.1093/cep/byg030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Atems, Bebonchu & Blankenau, William, 2021. "The ‘time-release’, crime-reducing effects of education spending," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    3. Justina A.V. Fischer, 2005. "The Impact of Direct Democracy on Crime: Is the Median Voter Boundedly Rational?," University of St. Gallen Department of Economics working paper series 2005 2005-14, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen.
    4. Vujić Sunčica & Koopman Siem Jan & Commandeur J.F., 2012. "Economic Trends and Cycles in Crime: A Study for England and Wales," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 232(6), pages 652-677, December.
    5. Nikolaos Dritsakis & Alexandros Gkanas, 2009. "The effect of socio-economic determinants on crime rates: An empirical research in the case of Greece with cointegration analysis," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 2(2), pages 51-64, December.
    6. Vujić, Sunčica & Commandeur, Jacques J.F. & Koopman, Siem Jan, 2016. "Intervention time series analysis of crime rates: The case of sentence reform in Virginia," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 311-323.
    7. Ferda Halicioglu, 2012. "Temporal causality and the dynamics of crime in Turkey," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 39(9), pages 704-720, July.

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    More about this item

    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
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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