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Sociological Explanations of Crimes in Late Imperial China: 1744-1903

NCJ Number
162612
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1995) Pages: 107-126
Author(s)
L Li
Date Published
1995
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study examines national crime patterns in late imperial China (1744-1903).
Abstract
The paper investigates both overall national and regional capital crime patterns; patterns of six different capital crimes such as robberies, sex offenses, premeditated homicides, killings in affrays, crimes against authority, and salt smuggling; and how capital crime patterns related to socioeconomic conditions and rapid changes in China. The theory of social disorganization and theory of anomie were applied to discern the dynamics of crime patterns and social conditions. Findings suggest that crimes fluctuated in response to population pressures, natural disasters, foreign wars, and domestic conflicts. Among different types of crimes recorded, killings in affrays together with premeditated homicides usually constituted about 70 percent of the total crimes. Property crimes were common especially during economic hardships. The author concludes that the impact of macroeconomic and socioeconomic conditions and rapid social change on crime was great. However, he emphasizes that the data he used were incomplete and were closely correlated with the changes in the ruling government, and findings in this study should be viewed with caution. Tables, references