The discussion explores the reasons why the United States has become the most violent and victimized society in the industrialized world. It notes that recent statistics about declining rates of murder and other violent crimes overlook the increase in adolescent violence that suggests an future increase in violent crime committed by a new young breed of super-predators. The authors dispute the common beliefs that poverty causes crime, that the United States imprisons a disproportionate number of its citizens, that drug abuse is a victimless crime without a useful solution, that capital punishment is currently a major deterrent of crime, and that incarceration is ineffective in reducing crime. They explain moral poverty as the absence of loving, capable, responsible adults who teach children right from wrong. The discussion cites statistics and case examples and profiles cities that are making progress against violent crime. The analysis concludes that the criminal justice system has failed, given that one-third of violent crimes are committed on probation, parole, or pretrial release. It also concludes that addressing moral poverty must include an intense effort at combating drugs and crime and that the effort cannot be limited merely to the efforts of the criminal justice system. Families, churches, schools, and the mass media are among the many institutions that must be involved in this effort. In addition, the most obvious way to restore positive bonds between adults and children is a widespread renewal of religious faith and the strengthening of religious institutions. Tables, figures, appended case histories, index, and chapter reference notes (Publisher summary modified)