The authors collectively examined two hypotheses, although various pieces deal with the questions implicitly or explicitly. The first hypothesis is based on the dominance of offenses against property in Western societies. The hypothesis is framed in a provocative manner and from the viewpoint of these Western nations. The second hypothesis examines modern forms of delinquency as set against a sentencing policy that stresses mitigation of sanctions and the waiving of punishments. Following an introductory chapter on civilization, modernization, and the development of crime and control, the first major section of the book consists of chapters discussing crime and control from the perspective of developed countries including the Nordic nations, West German, Japanese, and the U.S. The second section explores crime and control in developing nations including Venezuela, the English-speaking Caribbean, Nigeria, and India. The socialist nations that are subjects of research here include the former German Democratic Republic, Hungary, and China. Finally, the interpretive section examines the development of criminality and punishment in four cultures -- the U.S., Jamaica, Japan, and Western Europe. 18 figures, 48 tables, and chapter references