Crime Economic Approach

Economic approach to crime is least developed and utilized compared to other social sciences. Gordon Tullock in the article “An economic approach to crime” tries to bring in an utility aspect to understand the economic point of view by analyzing to areas of law- motor vehicle code violation and tax evasion. Before going into detail into the two broad categories (motor vehicle code violation and tax evasion), at the outset we need to make ourselves clear of what do we understand by 'economic approach ' to crime. As economic approach is least developed in this context, there is a lack of widely accepted theories or general definitions regarding crime. But one can conclude understanding of human behavior to be majorly undertaken from a utility

With the increase of vehicles being parked alongside the street led to rampant congestion. Due to the limited parking space, the first come first serve basis was practiced but was criticized by the citizens hence governmental bodies decided to have fairer distribution of parking space (i.e. decision was to vacate the spaces at some specified time and police was instructed to ticket cars and fine them if parked beyond the time limit.) therefore either the person had to choose between removing his car within the time limit or pay the fine. Over parking is the a result of not only deliberate decision but also absent mindedness. The absence of criminal intent is not regarded as an excuse by the law. To stop making an absent minded person violate parking laws the decision bodies decided to increase the fines as higher fines would put pressure on the person and would train him to remember as to remove his car. Metered parking area is the answer to the question on enforcement of the law as it would maximize

This would cause inconvenience to many as 1. Additional time spent in travelling 2.Additonal fuel consumption 3. Pleasure and 4.diversion of economic activity due to slowing of traffic. Hence important to balance and put an optimal level of speed which would minimize cost and reduce accidents. Tullock pointed out that no one has performed these calculations due to the unwillingness to put a value on deaths and injuries as to be compared to the material costs of delay. The statement “lowering the speed would reduce the death toll” has been sidelined and showed great reluctance too as frightened to use a conversion ratio in which lives are worth some “finite amount of