Existence Of Crime In Impoverished Countries - Research Paper Example

Existence Of Crime In Impoverished Countries Diversity can be observed in different countries of the globe; however, impoverished countries have some things in common in terms of adversity. In specific, poverty, unemployment, crime, drugs, illiteracy, etc. are some of the major problems that are confronted by developing or underdeveloped countries in different parts of the globe, which put them aside from developed parts of the world. A number of scholars have noted that poverty is one of the major issues that result in other confrontations, particularly crime, which is considered a menace to democracy, as well as, the nation itself. In this regard, various studies have been carried out to identify and analyze different factors associated with existence of crimes in underdeveloped or poor countries. However, it is observed by some studies that poor countries are not the only regions that are affected by crime, but still a higher proportion of crime rates exist in poorer countries, as compared with developed regions. (Bhargava, 2006) For now, this paper will try to analyze different causes related to the extreme existence of crime in impoverished countries. It is noted that underdeveloped countries confront intense socio-economic situations that give rise to corruption, income inequality, and illiteracy, which results in intensification of social punctures, and thus, crimes and criminals gradually become a major part of such societies. Poorer countries are more likely to become headquarters of corrupted mafias and terrorists, which promote organized crimes in these parts of the globe. A major dilemma of impoverished countries is that intense socio-economic conditions frighten investors, which results in only option to the government; management of country by using only domestic capital, which is usually not enough to carry out different operations in an effective manner. While poorer countries are major attraction of tourists due to cheap costs and natural spots due to less industrialization, a majority of indigenous people are seen trying to get out of the country. In this state of stress, frustration, and inequality, social bonding and understanding between the state and people ruptures. In the result, offences and crimes are committed by people to get out of problems. Such situation can be understood by considering the structural strain theory that states there are societal strains placed on an individual that make it difficult to achieve goals and in return encourages them to commit crime, which can be one of the reasons of crime in poor countries. Another imperative theory in this case study is the social disorganization theory, which says that disorganized communities of these developing countries have great influence on the majority of the crime that exists there. According to some scholars, “this theory views crime as resulting from the breakdown of social control by the traditional primary groups, such as the family and the neighborhood, because of the social disorganization of the community”. (Grusky, 2006) According to studies, good governance, and most important, security and justice can resolve all such problems. Such steps can be taken effectively by carrying out developmental projects in poorer regions; however, the government and private sector confront a new problem during these developmental procedures. In some cases, developmental projects confront ethnic confrontations, as native communities fear a threat to them from such developments. (Raphael, 2001) At this moment, it is very imperative that government should take native people in confidence before taking any decision, as an incorrect cultural decision may result in opposite. In some other cases, inequality in terms of distribution of opportunities and developmental projects due to corruption in the government results in increment of crime rates in most of the impoverished countries. Earlier, paper has endeavored to state that poverty and underdevelopment are not the only factors that cause crime. For instance, it is noted in various studies that a number of richest countries are confronting higher crime rates as well. At the same time, poorest country like Nicaragua is enjoying status of the safest countries in Central American continent. In this regard, it is imperative that elasticity and flexibility should be part of every decision taken by the government, as stiffness may result in higher crime rates and thus, poverty cannot be deemed as the only cause of crimes in impoverished countries. Unfortunately, poorer countries are more vulnerable to problems related to ineffective decisions, corruption, and illiteracy, and have become major victims of poverty and crimes. For instance, Haiti is one of the poorest and most unequal countries in the Western Hemisphere. An estimated 80 percent of Haitians live in absolute poverty. (Danziger, 2002) According to the U.S. Department of State’s “Travel Website”, “Haiti is one of the least developed and least stable countries in the Western Hemisphere. There are no ‘safe areas’ in Haiti. Crime, a chronic problem over the years, has increased in recent years and can be subject to periodic surges sometimes not obviously explained by other events or conditions.” (U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, 2009) Another case study of poverty is region covering deprived, inner-city ghettos of Trinidad and Tobago, grows “the worst problems of poverty, unemployment, and crime. Unemployment is worst among the 15-19 age groups of whom, an estimated 43 percent are out of work. This has contributed to an alarming rise in violent crime, much of it connected with drugs and gang warfare.” (U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, 2009). The U.S. Department of State’s Travel Website lists basic traveling information on many countries: “Cambodia has a high crime rate, including street crime. Military weapons and explosives are readily available to criminals despite authorities’ efforts to collect and destroy such weapons.” Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. “Crime in Liberia is rated high and is exacerbated by the high rate of unemployment.” Nigeria has very high rates of violent crime “committed by individual criminals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms.” (U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, 2009) Diego Cevallos wrote, “In Mexico City proper, which is home to nine million of the 20 million people living in Greater Mexico City, 409 crimes a day were reported in 2006, according to Security Ministry figures for the capital, which has been governed since 1997 by the leftwing Democratic Revolution Party (PRD). (George, 2005) From January to August 2007, an average of 444 crimes a day, were reported. Although high, these figures are hailed by the authorities as an achievement, as in 1994 the number of crimes reported in the capital averaged 770 a day. Armed street crime is a very serious problem in all of Mexico’s major cities.” (MEXICO: Crime-Ridden City Where Anything Goes and Frequently Does). A number of other countries in Africa and Asia are confronting similar problems related to poverty and thus, crime. In this regard, the paper will try to analyze some other causes of crime in relation to poverty. In impoverished countries, unequal distribution of wealth or income is a major identified factor that occurs due to corruption, results in poverty, and increase violence and crime levels in the region. It is noted by a majority of scholars that raw poverty is far better than effects of income inequality, as the latter creates an unconstructive and depressing vibe in people, resulting in violent crimes. Some of the scholars have written that unequal distribution of income provides a kind of justification to criminals to carry out their criminal and violent activities in the country, which can be very harmful to the development and democracy of the country. In this regard, some of the major parts confronting such problem are South America, Southern Africa, and Central American continent. (Grusky, 2006) Another major cause of crime associated to poverty in poorer or developing countries is unemployment that is often related with illiteracy. Most of the poorer countries, especially African countries have worst illiteracy rates in the world, which results in unemployment and joblessness creating stress, depression, and frustration among different members of such societies. In a number of surveys and polls carried out, a majority of people accused unemployment after poverty and illiteracy for being guilty of committing criminal activities. According to some studies, unemployment cases in urban areas of impoverished countries are more likely to transform into criminal acts, as compared with such cases in rural areas, as people have to bear more expenses in cities comparing with villages. In addition, people are more likely to get opportunities for any criminal activity in cities, and thus, statistics have indicated that crimes rates are higher in towns and cities in poorer countries like Nigeria, Liberia, Haiti, etc. In a number of African countries, statistics have indicated that a large split of poor population is not able to even acquire two dollars to live a day due to unemployment, and thus, inclines them towards criminal activities. In specific, eighty percent of Nicaragua population, fifty-eight percent of El Salvador’s population, seventy-six percent of Haiti population, and eighty-seven percent of Nigeria’s population are confronting abovementioned extreme conditions of poverty. In extreme conditions, people often do not get enough money to acquire food for their family due to idleness. In addition, poor health conditions have been reported by low-income and unemployed families on regular basis that intensify their problems. A major cause of poor health conditions is stress and poor nutrition that is common thing in impoverished countries. As earlier mentioned in the paper, illiteracy is a cause of unemployment; however, studies have noted that unemployment has been a major reason of illiteracy, as unlike developed countries where educational opportunities are provided free of cost, impoverished and underdeveloped countries are unable to provide such opportunities. (Rephann, 1999) Thus, families are not able to bear expensive educational expenses, resulting in illiteracy, which is one of the causes of crimes in these countries. In impoverished countries such as Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Cambodia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Mexico, crime levels have been associated with unemployment, particularly, in relation with young individuals who are unable to continue their education due to its expenses. It is reported that street gangs and organized criminals are always in such idle and frustrated youth for carrying out their criminal activities. In other words, a major share of criminals constitutes young unemployed and illiterate men in these poor countries. In the year 2001, a study was carried out related to existence of crimes in developing countries, and indicated that young individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 commit most of the street crimes, and then, head towards serious criminal activities, such as kidnapping, theft, rape, murder, etc. (Raphael, 2001) Now the paper will focus on another root cause of crime in impoverished countries, limited capacity to handle criminal justice system. In other words, government incapacity is one of the foremost effects of underdevelopment in any country. It is noted that a majority of governments in previously mentioned countries are unable to take good care of their regions due to a number of reasons, such as lack of funds, corruption, etc. In addition, many developing countries are currently in transition from underdeveloped to developing stage, which means that they are in process of attempting to implement structures related to law enforcement, and thus, it will take some time for them to implement such structures effectively. Moreover, it is observed that corruption in law enforcement agencies due to lack of funds has resulted in their awful image in front of majority of people. (Heffernan, 2000) In other words, it can be stated that poorer countries confront lack of communication between people and criminal justice system, which results in higher crime rates as well. All these factors result in poor performance of criminal justice system, and thus, increment in criminal activities in these countries. Lastly, this paper will state that world is going through a global crisis related to economic recession, as well as, security issues, and thus, it is very imperative poverty should not be ignored, not on the basis of morality, but on the basis of global security and safety. It is observed that frustrated and poor people in discussed countries become street criminals, then join street gangs, may be contacted by organized criminals selling cocaine in different parts of the globe, or setting off bombs killing innocent world population. In other words, global development has become very important, and should be considered seriously by developed countries, in order to ensure global security in the world. It is very imperative that richer and developed countries should come down and help poorer countries to get out of this menace by dealing effectively with discussed factors of crime, such as illiteracy, unemployment, unequal distribution of wealth, poor health conditions, corruption, ethnic and racial treatment, etc. Conclusively, the paper has discussed some of the significant aspects of poverty and existence of crime in impoverished countries. It is hoped that the paper will be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. References Bhargava, Vinay Kumar. (2006). Global Issues for Global Citizens. World Bank Publications. Danziger, Sheldon. (2002). Understanding Poverty. Harvard University Press. George, Henry. (2005). Progress and Poverty. Cosimo, Inc. Grusky, David B. (2006). Poverty and Inequality. Stanford University Press. Heffernan, William C. (2000). From Social Justice to Criminal Justice. Oxford University Press US. Raphael, S. (2001). "Identifying the Effect of Unemployment on Crime.” Journal of Law and Economics 44, 259-83. Rephann, T. (1999.) “Links between Rural Development and Crime.” Papers in Regional Science 78, 365-86. U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs. (2009). U.S. Department of State – Travel Website. Retrieved on April 22, 2009. http://travel.state.gov/ Read More