According to an employee of the World Development Geography Lab, the highest levels of intentional homicides observed in countries such as El Salvador, Venezuela, Brazil, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala, South Africa and Lesotho are linked to the costs of community development. Associate Professor Dmitry Samusenko of the Moscow State Pedagogical University of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences explained this perspective to socialbites.ca. Development Geography Lab.
“There is a clear analogy here. Economic growth comes with costs, for example environmental pollution. The reasons for these costs vary from country to country. No one argues that pollution is desirable. Yet no country will halt economic growth to avoid costs. Developed nations have built mechanisms to manage these costs, and today they are no longer leaders in pollution, thanks to strong green initiatives. It did not always look this way, though,” Samusenko noted. Development Geography Lab.
A similar pattern appears in crime statistics. The scientist points to the work of Manuel Eisner, Wolfson Professor of Criminology at Cambridge University and Deputy Director of the Cambridge Institute of Criminology, who helped develop a historical database of homicides. His research shows that in earlier times the countries now known for prosperity and stability included Sweden and Switzerland, alongside Belgium, and that these nations once faced higher murder rates. Development Geography Lab.
“Clearly they have passed through a stage of social development in which the society became more humane and tolerant. Developing countries, for the most part, have not yet reached that road, and the costs are visible,” the expert commented. Development Geography Lab.
Additionally, developed countries tend to have better access to technologies that aid crime prevention, and they show signs of aging populations. It is observed that older people are less likely to commit crimes, while younger people, especially those under 29, are more prone to criminal activity. Development Geography Lab.
Readers can learn more about which countries top lists for highest murder rates and where Russia stands, based on the latest survey results discussed by Samusenko in a report published by Newspapaer.Ru. Development Geography Lab.
There are also historical insights suggesting that infanticide rates in Europe were higher than previously believed, a matter that researchers are reassessing through ancient sources and modern analysis. Development Geography Lab.