Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between economic factors and public attitudes toward contraband as well as emotional responses to the criminal justice system. Our analysis is based on a macro-economic analysis based on world-systems theory’s upswings and down...

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Main Authors: ILONA CESNIENE, ALEKSANDRAS DOBRYNINAS, VINCENTAS GIEDRAITIS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Vilnius University Press 2014-01-01
Series:Kriminologijos studijos
Online Access:http://www.journals.vu.lt/kriminologijos-studijos/article/view/3679
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spelling doaj-2ce18d5de38042f4acea094445c64c732020-11-24T22:04:02ZengVilnius University PressKriminologijos studijos2538-87542351-60972014-01-01110.15388/CrimLithuan.2014.1.3679Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1ILONA CESNIENEALEKSANDRAS DOBRYNINASVINCENTAS GIEDRAITIS The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between economic factors and public attitudes toward contraband as well as emotional responses to the criminal justice system. Our analysis is based on a macro-economic analysis based on world-systems theory’s upswings and downswings in economic growth (and subsequent unemployment and inflation). Additionally, interview data provide an individual explanation about perceptions of criminal justice in society. We argue that perceptions of criminal justice are based on the general economic conditions of society. In an economic downswing, individuals may be forced to take more risks in order to prosper or survive and that may be seen as ‘allowed’ and ‘normal’ behaviour under those conditions. As such, perceptions of criminal justice (and what is crime) may be viewed with greater tolerance. Our interview results suggest that the black market is a form of proxy indicator for perceptions of criminal justice in society. Interview results show a much greater tolerance of contraband during times of economic hardship. Men, the poor, and those less satisfied with their lives were found to be more likely to buy contraband. Key Words: criminal justice, public attitude, emotional response, contraband. http://www.journals.vu.lt/kriminologijos-studijos/article/view/3679
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author ILONA CESNIENE
ALEKSANDRAS DOBRYNINAS
VINCENTAS GIEDRAITIS
spellingShingle ILONA CESNIENE
ALEKSANDRAS DOBRYNINAS
VINCENTAS GIEDRAITIS
Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
Kriminologijos studijos
author_facet ILONA CESNIENE
ALEKSANDRAS DOBRYNINAS
VINCENTAS GIEDRAITIS
author_sort ILONA CESNIENE
title Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
title_short Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
title_full Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
title_fullStr Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
title_full_unstemmed Macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
title_sort macroeconomic factors and the perception of criminal justice in society: the role of shadow economies1
publisher Vilnius University Press
series Kriminologijos studijos
issn 2538-8754
2351-6097
publishDate 2014-01-01
description The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between economic factors and public attitudes toward contraband as well as emotional responses to the criminal justice system. Our analysis is based on a macro-economic analysis based on world-systems theory’s upswings and downswings in economic growth (and subsequent unemployment and inflation). Additionally, interview data provide an individual explanation about perceptions of criminal justice in society. We argue that perceptions of criminal justice are based on the general economic conditions of society. In an economic downswing, individuals may be forced to take more risks in order to prosper or survive and that may be seen as ‘allowed’ and ‘normal’ behaviour under those conditions. As such, perceptions of criminal justice (and what is crime) may be viewed with greater tolerance. Our interview results suggest that the black market is a form of proxy indicator for perceptions of criminal justice in society. Interview results show a much greater tolerance of contraband during times of economic hardship. Men, the poor, and those less satisfied with their lives were found to be more likely to buy contraband. Key Words: criminal justice, public attitude, emotional response, contraband.
url http://www.journals.vu.lt/kriminologijos-studijos/article/view/3679
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