Economic inequality can generate unhappiness that leads to violent crime in society

Mario Coccia

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2018, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: Many studies in social sciences have suggested different approaches to explain violent crime in society, such as the heat hypothesis that more violence is associated to hot weather. However, these approaches provide a partial explanation of this social issue. This study shows that, controlling climate, socio-economic inequality at country level negatively affects human behaviour and leads to high rates of violent crime in society. The socio-economic inequality is one of the contributing factors that generates aversive environments, unhappiness and, as a consequence, high rates of intentional homicides in society. Overall, then, these findings here can clarify whenever possible, a vital source of unhappiness in society that may lead to aggressive behaviour and violent crime.

Keywords: economic inequality; unhappiness; hot weather; warm climate; violent crime; intentional homicides; heat hypothesis; spirit level hypothesis. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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