Anjali Singh, BA (H) Political Science (Ramjas College, DU)
4.1 Economic Causes
Poverty doesn’t just mean lack of money—it often means lack of opportunity, access to education, stable housing, or healthcare. These conditions create fertile ground for criminal behavior. Economic hardship is one of the most well-documented causes of crime, especially in marginalized and underserved communities.
Let’s face it: when people are desperate, they may resort to illegal activities just to survive. Theft, drug dealing, prostitution, and even violent crimes are sometimes driven by the need to provide for oneself or one’s family. It’s not about moral failure—often, it’s about lack of options.
High unemployment rates can also trigger spikes in crime. Without job prospects, individuals may turn to illegal work, especially in areas with a strong presence of gangs or criminal networks offering a sense of belonging and quick money.
We also see economic causes in white-collar crimes. While not driven by poverty, these are often motivated by greed, competition, or the desire to maintain status in a high-pressure corporate culture.
Another layer is economic inequality. It’s not just the poor who commit crimes—it’s the visible gap between rich and poor that can breed resentment, frustration, and hopelessness. When people see others thriving while they’re struggling, it can fuel a sense of injustice and lead to rebellion against a system that seems rigged.
Solving economic crime means more than building prisons. It means creating jobs, offering affordable education, supporting small businesses, and investing in underprivileged areas. In other words, addressing the root rather than just punishing the outcome.
4.2 Social and Cultural Causes
Crime doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it happens within a social context. From childhood environments to community norms, cultural values and social settings can heavily influence whether a person turns to crime.
Let’s start with family. A child raised in a violent, neglectful, or broken home is more likely to exhibit behavioral problems and commit crimes. Lack of parental supervision, abusive guardians, and dysfunctional domestic settings can all set the stage for deviant behavior.
Then there’s peer pressure. Especially among adolescents and young adults, the need for acceptance can push individuals toward gangs, drug use, vandalism, and other criminal activities. Group dynamics often reinforce bad behavior and offer a false sense of belonging and identity.
Education—or the lack of it—is another major factor. Schools are supposed to be safe havens, but when they fail to engage students or address learning needs, kids may drop out and turn to the streets. An undereducated population is more susceptible to unemployment, poverty, and criminal tendencies.
Cultural factors also play a role. Some communities may normalize certain illegal activities or stigmatize law enforcement, making it harder to break the cycle. In extreme cases, cultural norms might even condone violence, especially against women, children, or marginalized groups.
Racism, discrimination, and social exclusion further fuel criminal behavior. When people are constantly marginalized, they may internalize that rejection and act out against a system they feel will never accept them.
Addressing social causes means fostering strong communities. This includes mentorship programs, youth centers, community policing, and education reforms. Building a society where everyone feels valued and included is the most powerful antidote to crime.
4.3 Psychological and Biological Factors
While society plays a huge role, crime is also deeply personal—and sometimes, it starts in the mind. Psychological and biological factors can significantly contribute to criminal behavior. This doesn’t mean people are “born criminals,” but rather that mental health, personality disorders, and even genetics can influence decisions.
Psychological disorders like antisocial personality disorder, schizophrenia, or severe depression have been linked to higher rates of criminal behavior. People with untreated mental illnesses may struggle with impulse control, empathy, or distinguishing right from wrong—especially without support systems.
Childhood trauma, including physical or emotional abuse, can also shape future behaviors. A child who experiences violence may grow up to repeat it, especially if they lack healthy coping mechanisms or role models.
Cognitive development is another factor. Individuals with lower IQ levels or learning disabilities might have trouble understanding laws or consequences. This doesn’t make them inherently criminal, but it can increase vulnerability to manipulation or impulsive decisions.
Then there’s the biological angle. Studies have suggested links between certain brain structures, hormonal imbalances (like high testosterone or low serotonin), and aggression. Some researchers have explored genetic markers that might increase the risk of criminality, although this field is still controversial and ethically complex.
However, it’s important not to stigmatize mental illness or biology. Most people with mental health issues are not violent or criminal. The danger lies in ignoring these factors altogether. Many criminals could have been diverted from crime with early intervention, therapy, or medication.
To reduce crime rooted in psychological and biological causes, we need better access to mental health care, early childhood intervention, and systems that focus on healing rather than punishment.
4.4 Political and Legal Causes
Sometimes, the law itself—or the political environment—can cause crime. Sounds ironic, right? But it’s true. When laws are unjust, enforcement is biased, or governance is weak, people often lose faith in the system and take matters into their own hands.
Corruption is a major driver of crime in many countries. When politicians, police, or judges can be bribed or manipulated, the entire justice system falls apart. This creates an environment where criminals operate with impunity, and victims are left without recourse.
Then there are oppressive laws. In some regions, political dissent, freedom of speech, or personal identity (like LGBTQ+ status) is criminalized. In such cases, people become “criminals” simply for expressing themselves or advocating for their rights.
Lack of legal infrastructure is another issue. When laws are outdated, inconsistently applied, or full of loopholes, it becomes easier for both street criminals and white-collar offenders to exploit the system. In some areas, laws may exist but aren’t enforced at all, leading to a sense of lawlessness.
Political instability, civil war, or weak state institutions can also trigger widespread crime. With no functioning police or courts, militias and gangs may take over, ruling neighborhoods through violence and intimidation.
To address political and legal causes of crime, we need fair laws, transparent governance, an independent judiciary, and community trust in law enforcement. When the system works for everyone, crime doesn’t stand a chance.
5. Theories of Crime
5.1 Classical Theory
The Classical Theory of crime, rooted in the 18th century and inspired by thinkers like Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham, introduced a revolutionary idea: individuals commit crimes based on rational decisions. That’s right—it assumes that humans have free will and make conscious choices by weighing the pros and cons of their actions.
According to this theory, people break the law when they believe the rewards outweigh the risks. For example, if someone thinks they can rob a store without getting caught and make a lot of money, the temptation might override their sense of legality or morality.
The classical view suggests that crime can be deterred through certainty, swiftness, and severity of punishment. The idea is to make the cost of crime too high for anyone to risk it. So, things like harsh prison sentences, capital punishment, and strict policing are often rooted in this line of thought.
This theory had a significant impact on the criminal justice system. It led to calls for fair laws, consistent punishment, and justice systems that treated everyone equally under the law. The idea was to eliminate arbitrary sentencing and corruption that often benefited the wealthy and punished the poor.
But here’s the downside: the Classical Theory assumes all people have equal ability to reason and make logical decisions. It doesn’t account for those influenced by addiction, mental illness, trauma, or social inequality. Not everyone commits crime by weighing pros and cons; some are driven by desperation, impulse, or distorted thinking.
Still, the Classical Theory laid the groundwork for many modern justice principles. Concepts like the presumption of innocence, proportional punishment, and due process all trace their roots back to classical ideas.
In today’s world, while the theory has its limits, its influence remains strong—especially in policies focused on deterrence and legal reform.
5.2 Positivist Theory
While classical thinkers believed in free will, the Positivist Theory of crime, emerging in the 19th century, flipped the script. It argued that criminals are made, not born, and that crime is caused by forces beyond individual control—be it biology, psychology, or society.
One of the most controversial figures here is Cesare Lombroso, who suggested that criminals could be identified by physical traits—like large jaws, low foreheads, or long arms. While modern science has debunked most of his claims, he introduced the idea that biological and genetic factors might influence criminal behavior.
Psychological positivists focused on personality disorders, trauma, or mental illness as causes of crime. They argued that internal mental conditions can push individuals toward illegal actions—even when they intellectually understand the consequences.
Then come the sociological positivists, who believe that environment, poverty, lack of education, and broken family structures create the conditions for crime. A person born in a slum with no access to resources is more likely to turn to crime than someone raised in comfort and stability.
Unlike classical theory, which emphasizes punishment, positivism leans towards rehabilitation. If crime is caused by external or internal conditions, the solution isn’t harsh punishment but treatment, education, and reform.
The Positivist Theory influenced the development of juvenile courts, rehabilitation programs, psychiatric evaluations, and parole systems. It changed the way we think about offenders—not just as criminals but as individuals in need of help and support.
However, positivism has been criticized for sometimes excusing behavior or infringing on personal freedoms by labeling individuals as “predisposed” to crime. Still, its legacy in shaping humane, science-based criminal justice policies is undeniable.
5.3 Sociological Theories (Strain, Labeling, Social Learning)
Sociological theories of crime delve into how society shapes behavior. They argue that crime isn’t just an individual decision—it’s a response to social structures, pressures, and interactions. Let’s unpack a few key ones:
Strain Theory (by Robert Merton) suggests that crime arises when there’s a disconnect between cultural goals and the means to achieve them. In simpler terms, society glorifies wealth and success, but not everyone has equal access to education or jobs. When people can’t reach these goals legally, they may turn to crime—selling drugs, stealing, or scamming—to “keep up.”
Labeling Theory focuses on how society’s reactions can actually create criminals. Once someone is labeled a criminal—especially young people—they may internalize that label and continue engaging in crime. It’s a cycle: get arrested once, face stigma, struggle to find work, turn back to crime because society won’t give you another chance.
Social Learning Theory (developed by Albert Bandura) says people learn behaviors—good or bad—through observation and imitation. If a child grows up around violence, theft, or substance abuse, they may see it as normal and adopt it. This theory underscores the importance of role models, peer influence, and the media.
All these theories emphasize the social environment. Crime isn’t just a moral failure; it’s often a survival tactic, a learned behavior, or a reaction to rejection and marginalization.
These perspectives advocate for community reform, social services, education access, and reentry programs to prevent crime. Rather than simply punishing individuals, the goal is to reshape the environments that produce crime in the first place.
5.4 Biological and Psychological Theories
Biological and psychological theories take a closer look at what’s happening inside the body and mind of a criminal. These approaches suggest that internal traits, genetics, or mental health conditions can predispose someone to commit crime—especially when combined with external stressors.
Biological theories have evolved significantly since the days of Lombroso. Modern research examines brain chemistry, neurological disorders, and genetic markers. For instance, abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex (which regulates impulse control) have been linked to aggressive or impulsive behavior. High levels of testosterone have also been associated with increased aggression.
While no one is born a criminal, some biological traits can make someone more vulnerable—especially if they’re raised in abusive or unstable environments.
Psychological theories focus on personality traits, trauma, and cognitive development. Offenders often show patterns like low empathy, impulsivity, narcissism, or lack of remorse. Childhood trauma—such as sexual abuse or neglect—can disrupt emotional development, making it harder for individuals to form healthy relationships or understand right from wrong.
Some theorists also explore moral development. If someone doesn’t mature through the stages of moral reasoning, they may justify harming others to serve their own needs.
Importantly, these theories don’t suggest we excuse criminal behavior—but they do argue for early intervention, therapy, and support. Schools, counselors, and social services can play a huge role in identifying at-risk individuals before they become offenders.
These insights have helped improve risk assessment, profiling, and rehabilitation techniques, offering a more nuanced approach to preventing crime than the traditional punishment model.
5.5 Critical and Feminist Theories
Critical theories challenge the mainstream narratives around crime. They argue that crime and justice are deeply tied to power, inequality, and oppression. These theories shift the focus from individual behavior to how laws are made, who enforces them, and whom they benefit.
Critical criminology suggests that the criminal justice system is not neutral—it often protects the interests of the wealthy and punishes the poor. For example, stealing a loaf of bread might lead to jail time, while corporate fraud affecting thousands often results in a fine. This theory sees crime as a response to economic inequality, racism, and state violence.
Feminist criminology critiques traditional theories for ignoring women’s experiences. It asks: Why do women commit crime? How does gender influence how people are treated by the justice system? Many female offenders have histories of abuse, trauma, and economic dependence, yet are judged more harshly than men.
Feminist theorists also highlight how the system often fails women victims, especially in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment. They advocate for a justice system that listens to women, protects their rights, and addresses the root causes of gender-based violence.
Both critical and feminist theories emphasize justice, equity, and systemic reform. They urge us to ask not just what crime is, but why society labels certain acts as crimes while ignoring others.
These theories are powerful tools for social change, pushing for a more inclusive, empathetic, and equitable criminal justice system.
