1. THE DECLINE OF ELITE HOMICIDE.
- Author
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Cooney, Mark
- Subjects
- *
HOMICIDE , *CRIMINOLOGY , *OFFENSES against the person , *ELITE (Social sciences) , *SOCIAL classes , *CRIMINOLOGISTS , *VIOLENCE - Abstract
Criminological research consistently shows that interpersonal homicide is largely confined to low-status people. Yet, anthropological and historical materials reveal that in earlier and simpler societies homicide was found throughout the status hierarchy. Using theory developed by Donald Black, I argue that a critical factor in the decline of lethal conflict among social elites is the increased availability of legal means of handling conflict. An implication is that since a focus on modern societies and their developed legal systems yields a limited and even distorted empirical picture of lethal violence, criminologists should strive to formulate theories that are cross-cultural and historical in scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1997
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