Description: This volume presents recent theoretical arguments and empirical research on the relationship between crime and the structure of communities and whole societies. Focusing on the 'institutional-anomie' perspective and allied crime theories, the selections examine the impact on crime of the family, education, community organizations and social welfare institutions. An important theme of the volume is that vital social institutions can cushion the effects of poverty and inequality on crime rates.
Review Quotes: 'This is an extremely valuable collection for anyone interested in exploring in some depth the particular institutional strand within 'sociological criminology' and in gaining an insight into some of the fairly recent thinking and research among a sector of leading US criminologists.' The British Society of Criminology