Strong and Weak Ties in Employment and Crime

Thierry Verdier, Yves Zenou and Calvó-Armengol, Antoni
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Antoni Calvó-Armengol

No 5448, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper analyses the interplay between social structure and information exchange in two competing activities, crime and labour. We consider a dynamic model in which individuals belong to mutually exclusive two-person groups, referred to as dyads. There are multiple equilibria. If jobs are badly paid and/or crime is profitable, unemployment benefits have to be low enough to prevent workers for staying too long in the unemployment status because they are vulnerable to crime activities. If, instead, jobs are well paid and/or crime is not profitable, unemployment benefits have to be high enough to induce workers to stay unemployed rather to commit crime because they are less vulnerable to crime activities. Also, in segregated neighbourhoods characterized by high interactions between peers, a policy only based on punishment and arrest will not be efficient in reducing crime. It has to be accompanied by other types of policies that take into account social interactions.

Keywords: Social interaction; Crime; Labour market; Forward-looking agents (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A14 J40 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lab, nep-law, nep-reg, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Strong and Weak Ties in Employment and Crime (2015)
Journal Article: Strong and weak ties in employment and crime (2007)
Working Paper: Strong and Weak Ties in Employment and Crime (2007)
Working Paper: Strong and Weak Ties in Employment and Crime (2007)
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