Criminal Dilemmas: Understanding and Preventing Crime

Crime is frightening. It breeds emotional responses which can lead to counterproductive governmental policy. To allow a rational analysis of these important concerns, Criminal Dilemmas applies intuition from economics, political science, and game theory as a way to develop new perspectives about crime and its causes. A basic assumption is that the criminal is a rational actor who makes decisions based on his or her personal expected gains and costs. By using this assumption, predictions about behavior, as well as emotional concerns such as prostitution and gun control, find a theoretical perspective. By understanding the strategic variables which cause, for example, gangs and their warfare, drug sales and the accompanying violence, we have a better chance to design effective public policy.