The Influence of Government Effectiveness and Corruption on the High Levels of Homicide in Latin America

Spencer P. Chainey, Gonzalo Croci and Laura Juliana Rodriguez Forero
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Spencer P. Chainey: Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK
Gonzalo Croci: Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK
Laura Juliana Rodriguez Forero: Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK

Social Sciences, 2021, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: Most research that has examined the international variation in homicide levels has focused on structural variables, with the suggestion that socio-economic development operates as a cure for violence. In Latin America, development has occurred, but high homicide levels remain, suggesting the involvement of other influencing factors. We posit that government effectiveness and corruption control may contribute to explaining the variation in homicide levels, and in particular in the Latin America region. Our results show that social and economic structural variables are useful but are not conclusive in explaining the variation in homicide levels and that the relationship between homicide, government effectiveness, and corruption control was significant and highly pronounced for countries in the Latin American region. The findings highlight the importance of supporting institutions in improving their effectiveness in Latin America so that reductions in homicide (and improvements in citizen security in general) can be achieved.

Keywords: homicide; Latin America; government effectiveness; corruption; citizen security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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