Ensaio sobre a criminalidade e o desenvolvimento econômico a luz da teoria econômica do crime de gary becker: o caso de Fortaleza

Abstract

This work aims to analyze crime in Fortaleza from the perspective of Gary Becker's Economic Theory of Crime, which considers crime as the result of a rational decision made by individuals who weigh the costs and benefits of their actions. The research seeks to understand how crime in the city is influenced by economic incentives and individuals' perception of the risk and reward when committing crimes. Using this theory, the study explores the relationship between factors such as social inequality, poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities with the increase in crime in Fortaleza. According to Becker's theory, individuals commit crimes when the expected benefits (such as financial gains or satisfaction of personal needs) exceed the costs, which are represented by the risks of punishment, such as imprisonment or fines. To understand this dynamic, the work uses statistical data on crime in the city so that these are correlated with economic indicators such as GDP, GVA, HDI-Income, and also evaluating data on how the scarcity of resources, the lack of study opportunities and economic inequalities influence the decision to resort to crime as an alternative to improving living conditions. The correlation between these indicators and crime rates was examined in order to verify whether, as the economic theory of crime suggests, factors such as low income levels and high unemployment rates can increase the "rationality" of committing crimes, given that individuals, when facing economic difficulties, perceive the benefits of crime as a way of achieving resources or status. Furthermore, the work suggests that more effective public policies should increase the perception of risk of punishment and at the same time offer more economic and social opportunities for the population, reducing the attractiveness of crime as an alternative for survival. The research also points to the need for preventive measures that reduce social inequalities and provide access to better living conditions, thus reducing the "rationality" of crime as a viable option for individuals in vulnerable situations.