Identifier

etd-05152011-212114

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Economics

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This dissertation includes three essays on the application of economics to various aspects of crime and criminal activity. The research presented in this dissertation points out a cause and a consequence of crime as well as the possible influence of a law on criminal activity. The first chapter provides an introduction to the ways that economic reasoning can be used to analyze criminal activity. The second chapter examines individuals' gun carrying activity in the presence of concealed weapon laws. The results suggest that allowing law-abiding individuals to carry concealed handguns is more likely to reduce crime than to increase it. Chapter 3 investigates the effect of joblessness on criminal activity using an international panel data set. The results indicate that increase in unemployment causes more property crimes. The fourth chapter presents evidence for the existence of a negative externality of crime. Countries that have higher crime rates suffer from the loss of international tourists and tourism revenue. Chapter 5 summarizes the findings of the dissertation, provides concluding remarks, and discusses opportunities for future research in the economics of crime.

Date

2011

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Mocan, Naci

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.1010

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Included in

Economics Commons

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