Steven Levitt And The Link Between Legalized And Crime Rates

Milton Friedman and John Keynes are two world renowned economist, with many similar and contrasting views that have helped set the foundation of our economy. Friedman 's ideology on subjects such as the Monetary Policy, Gold Standard, and the Theory of the consumption function are what made him a extremely impactful economist. Keynes has made his impact on the modern day world as well in many aspects. Both of these economists have helped pave the way to a better, more efficient economy.

What most negatively occurred to me was that, at least partly due to Levitt’s deliberate distinction between morality and economics, no

The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

When we get into how society and people look at crime, it happens in every city, every neighborhood, people are victims every day, businesses, and even property. Crime dates back since colonization and the rates have varied over time, believe it or not, crime has decreased over the years. As a matter of fact, the United States has been on a decline. The crime rate for the year 2000 was a total of 11,608,072 a declining year in 2015 with a total of 9,225,197. (U.S. Department of Justice)

There has long been a debate over which, if any, are the most effective methods of crime control. Governments from bottom to top in our nation have poured over the issue with mixed results for as long as there has been a nation. Until very recently deterrence was completely based on fear of punishment. However, recent years have provided us with a more complete understanding of crime and its roots among the more desirable parts of our society, specifically the mind of a criminal. Through the study of psychology, specifically free will, determinism and social identity, we may find that situational crime prevention is a better means to deter crime in our nation.

Prohibition was a period of time in which the sale, manufacture, or transport of alcoholic beverages became illegal. It started January 16, 1919 and continued to December 5, 1933. Although it was designed to put an end to all drinking, it simply created a large number of bootleggers who produced and sold illegal alcohol. Many of these bootleggers became very rich and influential through selling alcohol and also through other methods. They pioneered the practices of organized crime that are still used today. Thus, Prohibition led to the rapid growth of organized crime.

John J. DiIulio, Jr. writes his article, "Let 'em Rot," in response to the State of the Union Address by President Clinton in January of 1994. In this article he focuses on the continually increasing crime problem in America. DiIulio feels that a change is needed in the way this country handles the punishment and rehabilitation of criminals. He makes a claim of policy that criminals should serve their entire prison sentences. DiIulio asserts, "a prison sentence of X years should mean a prison sentence of X years (truth in sentencing)" (563). He directs his article towards people who are concerned with the crime problem in America, specifically victims of crime and

In my opinion, I believe that Levitt and Dubner both made a very strong argument when they spoke about the possible cause(s) of decline of criminal and abortion rates within Chapter 4. The reason that Levitt and Dubner made such a strong argument within this chapter is due to the fact that they were very informative with their examples and statistics, and even included a short backstory at the beginning to make the readers aware of the situation at hand. At the beginning of the book, the introduction also shortly speaks of the prediction of the rise in criminal rates and how they would continue to rise over the next several years. What caught the criminologists and experts by surprise was that instead of rising crime rates the “crime began

Bill Hicks once said, “Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit...unnatural?” Why is it illegal when it could be used for so much more other than just getting high? When really it actually comes with so many more benefits. In the article, “The Case for Legalizing Cannabis” the author Joe Cressy utilizes simple diction, common sense, and intimidating facts proving his point that the war on drugs is a waste of money and is setting Canadian health care back.

From 1920-33, a mandate under the 18th amendment prohibited the distribution and consumption of alcohol in the United States of America. During this period, the number of federal convicts increased by 561% as well as organized crime among mafia and gangs. This leads to questioning the extent to which government health restrictions increased crime rate during the Prohibition of 1920-1933. To assess this topic, I will first research the history of alcohol consumption and the causes of the Volstead act proposed by the U.S. senate on December 18, 1917 (Hanson, “Alcohol”). I will then delve into the change in crime during this period and investigate important characters that played a role. From this, I will assess the part that the government restriction of alcohol played on crime rate.

On July 4, 1776, thirteen colonies declared independence from English rule, eventually forming the United States of America (“American History,” 2016). Built upon a unique platform of autonomy, the United States provides citizens with freedoms not present in other countries. In order to preserve such freedoms, the Constitution of the United States was enacted in 1797, outlining an array of rights and privileges afforded to all citizens of the country (“American History,” 2016). However, as in any society, crime and abuse pervaded the peace of the nation, continuing to date. Methods of public, social control span deep into the history of the United States, in an effort to combat wrongful, illicit activity, or crime. With the first official police force established in 1838, law enforcement has grown rapidly within the nation, employing millions (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2015). Nevertheless, with the evolution of law enforcement, crime and the American population have also evolved. In the present-day United States, fear and unrest regarding personal rights and freedoms are overwhelmingly prevalent, often creating controversy between the public and the police. Under democratically-inspired legal restraints, notably the Bill of Rights, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution ensure the personal rights and freedoms of American citizens against certain police-related matters.

In the article, “Why Congress Should Legalize Pot” by Jeffery Miron, he lists many different reasons why he thinks marijuana should be legalized by the federal government for recreational use in the United States. Throughout the article Miron uses a consistent amount of logos in an effort to persuade or convince the readers that his opinion is correct. By continuously listing facts and logical statements supporting federal legalization he hopes that the reader will understand and be able to eventually agree with his opinion. Miron uses a very minimal yet effective amount of pathos towards the end of his article. He talks about how marijuana can help with various medical issues including the chemotherapy process of cancer. This appeals

Fabricating an identity is a task that all humans encounter, which requires a significant amount of time. Because it takes a while to establish, numerous factors, such as the environment and the group dynamic an individual is surrounded by, can effect the creation of the identity. In Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Power of Context: Bernie Goetz and the Rise and Fall of New York City Crime,” he explains human behavior in his analysis when presenting a theory to explain the time period when New York City was crime ridden. Gladwell argues that the physical environment of an individual plays a significant role in an individual’s behaviors and actions, which shape an individual’s identity. While Gladwell argues that an individual’s identity is a product of his or her surroundings and environment, Susan Faludi explains how choosing to take part in a group dynamic can significantly alter one’s identity in her “The Naked Citadel.” Faludi describes how the cadets come to The Citadel so they can escape the traditional roles of masculinity in the outside world, and arrive at a place where they are sometimes given the opportunity to live a vulnerable lifestyle. However, when the cadets arrive they are integrated into a group dynamic, which alters their own personal identities. The effects of the environment and group dynamic on one’s identity is portrayed in Azar Nafisi’s “Selections From Reading Lolita in Tehran.” Nafisi describes the time frame when her students secretly came to her

The national crime rate has been dropping for the past several years. Over a 38% drop has been reported since 1993. The drop in the crime rate of America is mainly because of three top reasons. These reasons include the involvement of the community, the offenders of small crimes are being interrogated to come up with leads of larger crimes, and the new computer technology available today.

What they were all responding to was the force of Levitt’s underly- ing belief: that the modern world, despite a surfeit of obfuscation, complication, and downright deceit, is not impenetrable, is not un- knowable, and—if the right questions are asked—is even more in- triguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking. - Stephen J. Dubner.