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Direct and Indirect Effects of Individualism and Institutions on Homicides

Author

Listed:
  • Vinicius V. Zanchi

    (Banco Do Brasil)

  • Philipp Ehrl

    (Catholic University of Brasilia)

  • Daniel T. G. N. Maciel

    (Catholic University of Brasilia)

Abstract

The present paper evaluates whether people in highly individualistic cultures have a lower propensity to commit homicides, using data from 70 countries. Several previous papers report a significant negative correlation between these two variables, but it is not well established whether the effect of culture on this form of violent crime is direct or indirect. We estimate a structural equation model that includes: (a) the possibility that either culture or institutions affect the homicide rate, (b) a link between individualism and institutions and (c) credible exogenous information used as an instrumental variable for individualism. Our results show that individualistic nations generate a more effective judicial system, which is mainly responsible for the variation in homicide rates across countries. That is, individualism affects homicides only indirectly through the quality of legal institutions. We also find that different types of institutions have a similar relation to individualism, however, the moderating effect on homicides is more pronounced for legal or political institutions than for economic institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Vinicius V. Zanchi & Philipp Ehrl & Daniel T. G. N. Maciel, 2021. "Direct and Indirect Effects of Individualism and Institutions on Homicides," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 153(3), pages 1167-1195, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:153:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-020-02531-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-020-02531-4
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    Cited by:

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    2. Rubiane Daniele Cardoso Almeida & Philipp Ehrl & Tito Belchior Silva Moreira, 2021. "Social and Economic Convergence Across Brazilian States Between 1990 and 2010," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 157(1), pages 225-246, August.
    3. Jov{z}e P. Damijan & Sandra Damijan & Osiris Jorge Parcero, 2024. "Is there a size premium for nations?," Papers 2401.05116, arXiv.org.
    4. Aldenis Vásquez & Rafael Alvarado & Brayan Tillaguango & Cem Işık & Muntasir Murshed, 2023. "Impact of Social and Institutional Indicators on the Homicide Rate in Ecuador: An Analysis Using Advanced Time Series Techniques," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 1-22, September.
    5. Jože P. Damijan & Sandra Damijan & Osiris Jorge Parcero, 2023. "Is There a Size Premium for Nations?," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(4), pages 3974-4016, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Culture; Homicides; Institutions; Judicial system;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects
    • P37 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Legal
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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