Crime - caused by inequalities

In my perspective, with globalization and thus urbanization, the root cause of crime in urban society is inequalities.

With the shift to high technology and knowledge-based economies, employment opportunities favour those who have more formal academic skills. Those who are less educated will find it difficult to gain employment. These are usually the poor and they experience dislocation. The easiest way to make a living is through street crime. This can be seen in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil is a country with extreme inequality, with a small elite controlling the wealth and power and a huge powerless under-class living at subsistence level (http://www.zonalatina.com/Zldata194.htm). This has led to low street safety, kidnappings, and widespread organized street crime.

When the dislocated urban poor turn to drug consumption to seek temporary solace and to quell hunger, this creates a demand for illegal drugs such as heroin. When they are unable to afford to support their addiction, they rob in order to obtain money. A much more severe problem arises when gangs seek to control the movement and sale of drugs. Sao Paulo’s main and most notorious gang, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) reputedly controls the majority of illegal contraband and drugs coming in and out of the prisons in the state.

The poor are also by no means the only ones to break the law and try to achieve success using illegitimate means. The passion of people to improve their condition means the rich also try to get richer. Politicians and government officials who accept bribes, stockbrokers who deal illegally and employers who do not protect employees from hazardous waste are examples.

Physical inequality causes women and children of the dislocated poorer class to suffer abuse from men who are unable to find unemployment because they are not skilled enough. They are unable to vent frustration on the abstract intangible forces of globalization and thus may use violence on their family members who are at hand.

I agree with sociologist William J. Wilson that the solution to decrease crime is to support education and provide employment opportunities to the marginalized. It is often from lack of legitimate opportunities that crime arises. In addition, salaries of police forces in places such as Sao Paulo can be raised to stem out corruption.

References

Overseas Security Advisory Council, Brazil 2007 Crime & Safety Report: Sao Paulo, https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62452

Sernau, Scott, 2006, Global Problems: The Search for Equity, Peace and Sustainability, Pearson Education

Zona Latina, 2001, http://www.zonalatina.com/Zldata194.htm