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Crime, Isolation, and Law Enforcement

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  • Marcel Fafchamps
  • Christine O. N. Moser

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between criminal activity and geographical isolation. Using data from Madagascar, we show that, after we control for population composition and risk factors, crime increases with distance from urban centers and, with few exceptions, decreases with population density. In Madagascar, crime and insecurity are associated with isolation, not urbanization. This relationship is not driven by placement of law enforcement personnel which is shown to track crime, but fails to reduce feelings of insecurity in the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcel Fafchamps & Christine O. N. Moser, 2004. "Crime, Isolation, and Law Enforcement," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2004-05, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:rp2004-05
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/rp2004-005.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Conflict management; Justice; Administration of; Regional economics; Rural development; Law enforcement; Crime;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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