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Dynamics and causes of crime in Colombia

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  • Felipe Barrera Osorio

Abstract

This paper adds to previous research on the causes of crime in Colombia by using a new dataset and better econometric estimations. The paper is a "meta" study on the past empirical research on crime. Based on microeconomic foundations, it tests several hypotheses on crime in Colombia. In concrete, the first finding is that drug crimes are highly correlated with other crimes. As some theories suggest, drug activities affect the judiciary system and as a by-product, are correlated with other crimes. Also, the dynamics of drug trade suggest the use of criminal activities to enforce their own operations (e.g. homicides to enforce the law of silence). Second, guerrilla activity is correlated with several types of crimes, including drug crimes, homicides, kidnappings and bank robberies; paramilitary activity is correlated with kidnappings and drug crimes. The article explores in a systematic way the relationship between the penal code and crime. In order to do this, an important effort is done in quantifying the legal code. The paper finds that the legal codes respond to criminal activity, but that laws have an impact on only few crime rates, such as kidnappings and terrorist attacks.

Suggested Citation

  • Felipe Barrera Osorio, 2004. "Dynamics and causes of crime in Colombia," Informes de Investigación 2387, Fedesarrollo.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000124:002387
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11445/1030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Armando Montenegro & Carlos Esteban Posada, 1995. "Criminalidad en Colombia," Coyuntura Económica, Fedesarrollo, March.
    2. Gary S. Becker, 1974. "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach," NBER Chapters, in: Essays in the Economics of Crime and Punishment, pages 1-54, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Gaviria, Alejandro, 2000. "Increasing returns and the evolution of violent crime: the case of Colombia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 1-25, February.
    4. Levitt Steven & Mauricio Rubio, 2002. "Crimen en Colombia: análisis y sugerencias de política," Informes de Investigación 2238, Fedesarrollo.
    5. Juan Luis Londoño & Rodrigo Guerrero & Bernard Couttolene & Ignácio Cano & Leandro Piquet Carneiro & Luciana Phebo & Mauricio Rubio & José Miguel Cruz & Luis Armando González & Luis Ernesto Romano & E, 2000. "Asalto al desarrollo: Violencia en América Latina," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 43498 edited by Juan Luis Londoño & Alejandro Gaviria & Rodrigo Guerrero, February.
    6. Jairo Núnez & Fabio Sánchez & François Bourguignon, 2003. "What Part Of The Income Distribution Matters For Explaining Property Crime? The Case Of Colombia," Documentos CEDE 3775, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    7. Isaac Ehrlich, 1996. "Crime, Punishment, and the Market for Offenses," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 10(1), pages 43-67, Winter.
    8. Freeman, Richard B., 1999. "The economics of crime," Handbook of Labor Economics, in: O. Ashenfelter & D. Card (ed.), Handbook of Labor Economics, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 52, pages 3529-3571, Elsevier.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Conflictos; Violencia; Causas de la Violencia; Economía Colombiana;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • O54 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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