The Relationship Between Social Disorganization, Social Capital & Homicide: A Cross-National Examination

This study examines the direct and indirect effect of social disorganization on cross-national homicide rates, while controlling for social capital. Social disorganization is conceived of as communities with poverty, high mobility, and ethnic heterogeneity which result in ineffective community cultures and structures, which in turn lead to the weak controls that account for increased levels of crime. Social capital has been associated with membership in voluntary organizations, time spent socializing with friends and neighbors, participation in local politics, voter turnout, volunteering, religiosity, social trust, and family cohesiveness. It is generally considered that the greater the levels of social capital, the lower the rates of crime. It is reasoned that poverty, mobility and heterogeneity decrease the likelihood of a viable community social network through such mechanisms as reduced participation in social and political organizations. Lacking these social relationships, community members are less likely to intervene in support of neighborhood controls ultimately creating an environment in which there is a greater opportunity for predatory crime to occur. Essentially, the hypothesis is that the level of social capital will mediate the effect of social disorganization on crime at the cross-national level. This hypothesis is tested using both a series of direct OLS regression models and through an indirect effect model written specifically to test mediating relationships. The study includes a total of 87 nation-years, and controls for standard crime covariates. Results indicate that while social disorganization has a significant effect on cross-national homicide, social capital does not appear to mediate this effect. Implications of these findings are discussed.