Homicides in Developing Nations: Results of Research Using a Large and Representative Sample

Abstract

Most past research on cross-national variation in homicides has included small samples of nations that were heavily weighted toward industrialized nations. In recent years, homicide data for a larger number of developing nations have become available. This study looks at cross-national variation in homicides, focusing exclusively on developing nations, and uses a much larger and more representative sample of such nations than any past research. Correlation and regression analysis are used to reexamine the association of concepts and indicators used in past research to explain variation in homicides across nations. Percentage Christian and to a lesser degree percentage Islamic emerge as the most important predictors. It is suggested and discussed that this finding is best explained by the cultural effects of colonization on many developing nations.