Reflexões sobre o modelo original da economia do crime

The economic analysis of crime, security and violence is based upon the original article by Gary S. Becker whose title is Crime and Punishment: an economic approach. The central piece of Becker’s theoretical model is the economic reasoning of comparing gains and costs from de individual’s point of view. Becker assumes that the criminal activity is the result of some social parameters and then searches for an optimal situation from the social viewpoint, which is defined as the situation of minimum total cost. Crime, security and violence have acquired such an importance in the 21st Century that a reflection on the Becker’s model is required in order to give scientific basis to developing and adopting more effective public policies. This article aims to lend a hand to that reflection by presenting a significant set of inquiries.