Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between economic factors and public attitudes toward contraband as well as emotional responses to the criminal justice system. Our analysis is based on a macro-economic analysis based on world-systems theory’s upswings and downswings in economic growth (and subsequent unemployment and inflation). Additionally, interview data provide an individual explanation about perceptions of criminal justice in society. We argue that perceptions of criminal justice are based on the general economic conditions of society. In an economic downswing, individuals may be forced to take more risks in order to prosper or survive and that may be seen as ‘allowed’ and ‘normal’ behaviour under those conditions. As such, perceptions of criminal justice (and what is crime) may be viewed with greater tolerance. Our interview results suggest that the black market is a form of proxy indicator for perceptions of criminal justice in society. Interview results show a much greater tolerance of contraband during times of economic hardship. Men, the poor, and those less satisfied with their lives were found to be more likely to buy contraband. Key Words: criminal justice, public attitude, emotional response, contraband.

Highlights

  • Research on the shadow economy and its negative role in various aspects of social life, including crime – is increasingly popular among international and national scholars.2 According to recent publications, the level of shadow economy in Lithuania, while continuously decreasing, is still relatively high comparing with other European Union countries

  • We argue that an economic downturn could be the time when Lithuanian society would view criminal justice more passively

  • The results indicated that respondents were far more willing to have a more relaxed perspective on the law and the criminal justice system during times of economic hardship, especially in regards to buying contraband

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Research on the shadow economy and its negative role in various aspects of social life, including crime – is increasingly popular among international and national scholars. According to recent publications, the level of shadow economy in Lithuania, while continuously decreasing, is still relatively high comparing with other European Union countries. The last national survey on the situation of the shadow economy demonstrates indirect economic support for such criminalised elements of the shadow economy as smuggling of cigarettes, alcohol and gasoline. The public support for shadow economy through active (transferring of illegal products) or passive (consumption of illegal products) participation in smuggling can bring to light how the values of criminal justice are accepted or ignored by the members of society. While the perception of criminal justice in society is different among various social epistemological groups (experts, well-informed citizens, ordinary people), it is strongly influenced by macro-societal factors such as the status of the economy in all mentioned groups. This research shows the influence of economics and psychological factors on criminal justice perceptions by the public at large. The economy has a temporal component to it, in which economic upswings and downswings

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