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Communities, Crime and Social Capital in Contemporary China

NCJ Number
227093
Author(s)
Lena Y. Zhong
Date Published
2009
Length
292 pages
Annotation
This book examines the theoretical and empirical dimensions of community crime prevention in China, with attention to the role of social capital in a rapidly modernizing economic, social, and political context.
Abstract
Following an introductory chapter, a chapter discusses the issues involved in doing the fieldwork for this book. This involves descriptions of Shenzhen, where the fieldwork was conducted, and an overview of the five communities to which access was granted by the authorities. Some of the dilemmas faced in the design and implementation of the study are also considered. Chapter 3 defines community crime prevention, social capital, and the nexus between the two. Chapter 4 examines in detail the extent to which social capital can be used to depict Chinese society and its social control and crime control. Chapter 5 describes the crime situation in post-1949 China and briefly reviews academic and official discussions of crime, especially its rapid growth in the reform era. Chapters 6 and 7 provide a detailed description of the community-based, crime prevention program in Shenzhen entitled "Building Little, Safe, and Civilized Communities" (BLSCC), which is locally initiated. Chapter 8 describes the implementation of BLSCC in two contrasting Shenzhen communities, focusing on the community survey results. The concluding chapter summarizes the study in terms of its theoretical exploration and empirical testing. The implications of the findings are discussed regarding the link between social capital and community crime prevention. Chapter notes and tables, approximately 150 references, and appended survey questionnaire