The Role of the State on Cross-National Homicide Rates

Abstract

Although previous research has established important links between economic factors (e.g., economic inequality), social support variables, ethnic fractionalization, and cross-national homicides, one important area remains unexplored. Relatively little is known about how the role of the state affects cross-national homicide rates. Using data from 183 nations, this study examined the effect of the role of the state (political instability, regime type, and use of the death penalty) on homicide rates. The findings indicate that homicide rates are higher in countries that are politically unstable. In addition, anocracies (transitional states that have a mixture of democratic and autocratic features) were found to be correlated with higher homicide rates. Suggestions for future research are discussed.