The future of crime in the united states from now to the year 2000

Societal factors are identified which are driving toward qualitative and quantitative changes in the pattern of crime in the United States. Some of these factors will amplify while others will diminish the importance of current categories of crime. They will also lead to new crimes or increased relative significance to certain crime categories. On the other hand, the interaction of these factors also may lead to the virtual extinguishment of some crimes or to their removal from the rosters of illegality. Against that background some opportunities and needs for public policy decisions and related research are suggested.Presented at the First Assembly of The World Future Society, Washington, D.C., May 14, 1971.The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not imply endorsement of factual accuracy or opinion by the National Science Foundation, Departments of the U.S. Government, or any organization with which the author is associated.