Progress and Obstacles in the Internationalization of Criminology

Abstract

The contributors to this inaugural issue of International Criminology were asked to reflect on the present state of comparative criminology and to speculate on whether it will become more prominent in the future. Progress in developing a coherent research specialization in international criminology over the past half-century has been uneven, with some elements making more rapid progress than others. There have also been surprises, as well as disappointments. In this article, I briefly consider the modern history of efforts to develop a comparative study of criminology. I focus on cross-national comparative research which is largely quantitative. I look at the development of this research by considering its progress along six fronts: (1) developing larger, more representative samples; (2) developing more refined theoretical conceptual schemes; (3) applying more sophisticated research methods; (4) developing new international crime data sources; (5) building longitudinal models; and (6) engaging global organizations in support. I conclude with some general observations.