Robbery, recession and real wages in Hong Kong |
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Authors: | Mark S Gaylord Graeme Lang |
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Institution: | (1) City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong |
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Abstract: | Between 1965 and 1975 Hong Kong experienced a dramatic increase in reported crime. Criminologists have put forward two major
explanations for this: 1) modernization (or convergence) theory, and 2) the alleged break-up of the police-triad (Chinese
secret societies) alliance following the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Data from the 1970s
show a remarkably close relationship in Hong Kong between changes in real wages and robbery rates. In this paper we argue
that declining wages are related to increased rates of such 'quick cash' crimes, particularly in societies lacking a safety
net of unemployment benefits, universal health insurance and income security provisions. The results offer support for this
alternative, but admittedly partial, explanation of Hong Kong's rising crime rate.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | |
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