The Economic Approach to Crime and Punishment

D.J. Pyle
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D.J. Pyle: University of Leicester, UK

Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics, 1995, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: In the last twenty five years, economists have devoted considerable research effort to the study of crime and punishment. This article examines the contribution made by economists in two particular areas. First, the economic analysis of participation in criminal activity. Second, the design of “efficient†punishments for convicted criminals. The economic approach to crime and punishment assumes that criminals are rational individuals, who respond to incentives. Empirical analysis, undertaken by economists, tends to confirm this view. Several consequences follow from this, especially in relation to the structure of punishments for (related) crimes. In particular punishments need to be designed so that criminals choose less, rather than more, harmful acts.

Date: 1995
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jinter:v:6:y:1995:i:1:p:1-22

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