Violent Crime Driven by Income Inequality between Countries

Abstract

The literature has suggested several approaches to explain violent crime, such as the heat hypothesis that more violence is associated to very hot temperature. However, the manifold determinants of violent crime in society are hardly known. This study shows that, controlling the climate, the intentional homicides (per 100,000 people) can be explained by the high level of income inequality, both in hot tropical areas and in temperate regions of the globe. Overall, then, the socioeconomic inequality is one of factors that generates aversive social environments and, as a consequence, a deteriorated human behavior leading to high rates of intentional homicides in society.

Keywords: Temperature, Inequality, Violent Crime, Intentional Homicides, Heat Hypothesis

JEL Classification: D63, I14, I24, N30, O44, O57