Theoretical Foundations of Comparative Criminology in a Global Dimension

Abstract

Comparative criminology is becoming a topical trend in the modern globalized world. The authors present definitions, methods of comparative criminology, they discuss the organizations and agencies that are involved in comparative criminological research. They also show the relevance of conducting international, regional, continental comparative criminological research. It is believed that the goal of comparative criminology is not just the collection of statistical material in several countries, but rather the development of mutually dependent criminological theories. The goals of research conducted within the framework of comparative criminology are, primarily, the extension of criminological theories beyond cultural and national boundaries, the assessment of the national systems of criminal justice and national criminal policies, as well as the coordination of efforts in counteracting transnational crime. As for the methodology of research within the framework of comparative criminology, the authors describe the use of micro-, macro- and meta-analysis. The topics of comparative criminological research are dictated by globalization. In particular, the following topics are relevant: the legality of the work of law enforcement and criminal justice bodies, human rights and some new forms of crime — with an emphasis on environmental protection, consumer rights, food security, as well as cybercrime. The authors present examples of relevant research in comparative criminology at the global, continental and regional levels. Books in comparative criminology, as well as research journals, are mainly published in English, but national criminology textbooks, as rule, summarize the results of comparative criminological research, so some material in criminology textbooks could, in fact, be categorized as comparative criminology. The authors then describe the problems that hinder the development of comparative criminology in Russia. On the whole, the task of the authors is to present the instruments of comparative criminology to Russian researchers, which could contribute to the development of comparative criminological studies in Russia.