Exploring the Relationship between Neoliberalism and Homicide: A Cross-National Perspective

Abstract

Research has shown that neoliberal economic policies may increase violence. In this study we extend this logic to create a "neoliberalism-homicide hypothesis." We test this hypothesis using two global measures of neoliberalism (the Economic Freedom of the World Index and the Index of Economic Freedom) and 2014 homicide rates for 142 nations. Regression analysis provides little support for the neoliberalism-homicide hypothesis using the global indexes. However, when examining factors that make up these indexes we discover that as size of government and tax burden become more neoliberal across nations, homicide rates increase. A post hoc exploratory analysis suggests that the association between government size, spending, taxes, and homicide is largely indirect and manifests through economic inequality and poverty. That is, neoliberal government policies appear to increase poverty and inequality which, in turn, lead to higher rates of homicide. We situate our findings within the broader literature on neoliberalism and violence and suggest directions for future research.

An empirical analysis of homicides in Mexico through Machine Learning and statistical design of experiments

“…The fact that RLI, CCJSI and CI are statistically significant is consistent with Hernández et al (2018) andQuimet et al (2018), who imply that high violence related mortality is associated with poor law enforcement, impunity, corruption and an ineffective justice system. Finally, statistical significance of interactions involving EPoverty, MPoverty and PPCLHS is consistent with results from McLean et al (2019) which indicate that increasing poverty and inequality implies increasing homicide rates.…”

“…Their analysis is made at the municipal level in the years 2005, 2010 and 2015, and they prove the association between homicides and criminal bands' locations. In turn, McLean et al (2019) establish a so-called "neoliberalism-homicide hypothesis". Through regression analysis, using two global measures of neoliberalism and information from 142 countries in 2014, they find that there is little evidence to support the cited hypothesis.…”

Homicide Rates and the Multiple Dimensions of Urbanization: A Longitudinal, Cross-National Analysis

“…As a predictor of homicide rates, we centered our analysis on urbanization, while controlling for other concepts that are theoretically related to homicide rates in the criminological literature, including age structure, economic productivity, labor conditions, educational attainment, and inequality [6,9,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. We note that many of the variables presumed to influence homicide rates cross-nationally are also the same variables tested in cross-national studies by sustainability scholars, especially urbanization.…”

El Efecto de la Desigualdad Económica en los Homicidios en la Unión Europea

“…También Mclean et al (2019) determinan para una muestra de 142 naciones que la pobreza y la desigualdad producen mayores tasas de homicidios.…”