A Macro-Cultural Research Design for Testing Competing Macro-Structural Theories on Crime and Deviance

Abstract

A macro-structural integrative theoretical model previously identified for the prediction of crime rates is elucidated for its application to cross-cultural studies. The research strategy suggested for testing it is the accumulation of longitudinal case histories of cities. Thus, comparisons of relationships discovered among variables would be made rather than direct comparisons of crime rates among cultures. Cumulative results would make feasible: 1) the discrimination of theoretical priority based upon relatively objective tests parallel in nature and 2) provide a data base for the further integration of theory. The major thesis of the paper is that extant archive data may be used in many countries to test relationships grounded in systems theory. The feasibility of the research design is discussed, with numerous examples drawn of operational measures related to the theoretical factors identified, both independent and dependent variables, namely ecological, economic, formal controls, anomie, and crime. ...