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Criminal Justice System and Economic Theory Summary In this article, Leovy addresses a major weakness of the American justice system that has led to a proliferation of homicides among the black Americans. Apparently, the police, which is part of the criminal justice system, has failed to address this problem effectively. According to Leovy (2015), the police are not doing enough because they are focusing more on prevention of crime in this community and less on arresting and bringing the criminals to justice. He takes note of recent events in areas such as Ferguson where the police have been accused of racial discrimination and using too much force leading to the deaths of certain individuals. However, Leovy notes that this approach by the police has not yielded positive results in terms of reduction of homicides among the African American community.
Relation to Economic Theory
The article by Leovy has a relationship to economic theory. I find this relationship in the manner in which the proliferation of homicide, which is a crime under the constitution, is prevalent among the African American communities in America, despite the existence of laws and a criminal justice system to deter and deal with such crimes. The economic theory of crime is rooted in the cost benefit relationship. Under this theory, people commit crime rationally when they perceive that doing so will reap more benefits than risks. I find this element in Leovy’s article. The criminals committing murders in the African American community do not perceive greater risks in doing so. They commit the murders because they know that the risk of being brought to justice is low compared to the perceived benefits. For example, if an individual has some grudge with another because of an illegal drug deal, I think he will have more economic reason to eliminate the enemy by murdering him. This will be more beneficial in the sense that the individual will have no competition. Yet, the chances of being arrested, taken to court, and sentenced is slim. Therefore, I believe that Leovy’s argument is based on economic theory.
However, I believe that if the criminal justice system, particularly the police, responded effectively to murder crimes by arresting the suspects and taking them through the due course of the law, the crime levels would reduce. After all, no individual would want to spend his or her entire life in prison for murder. This will mean that the risk or cost of committing murder will be higher than the perceived crime. In addressing crime from an economic theory perspective, the criminal justice system ought to increase the cost of committing crime over the perceived benefits. This will make crime less valuable and hence many people will avoid it.
Conclusion
Crime can be explained using the economic theory. Just like in business, the decision to engage in crime is rational and based on perceived benefits against the risks. If the benefits are higher, more people will choose crime. However, if the costs/risks are higher, fewer people will choose crime. Leovy is making a strong argument from an economic theory perspective. If the police do not ensure that the criminals committing murders in the African American communities are not apprehended, prosecuted, and sentenced if found guilty, I do not think that higher rates of homicide in the community will be addressed.
Reference
Leovy, J. (2015, 23 Jan.). The underpolicing of black America. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www. wsj. com/articles/the-underpolicing-of-black-america-1422049080