Crime and Coercion: An Integrated Theory of Chronic Criminality

In a major new theory of criminal behavior, Mark Colvin argues that chronic criminals emerge from a developmental process characterized by recurring, erratic episodes of coercion. Colvin's differential coercion theory, which integrates several existing criminological perspectives, lays out a compelling argument that coercive forces create social and psychological dynamics that lead to chronic criminal behavior. While Colvin's presentation focuses primarily on chronic street criminals, the theory is also applied to exploratory offenders and white-collar criminals. In addition, Colvin presents a critique of current crime control measures, which rely heavily on coercion, and offers in their place a comprehensive crime reduction program based on consistent, non-coercive practices.

Author: M. Colvin
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Published: 10/23/2000
Pages: 216
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.51lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.48d
ISBN: 9781349426430

About the Author
MARK COLVIN is Associate Professor of Sociology at George Mason University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in criminology.