Homicide In São Paulo: An Examination Of Trends From 1960-2010 (springerbriefs In Criminology)

This volume aims to explain the mechanisms for the “epidemic-like” rise in homicide rates São Paulo, Brazil during the late 20th century as well as their sharp decrease after 2000. The homicide rates increased 900 percent from 1960s-2000, and then dropped relatively quickly to 1970s levels over the next decade. While the author finds the Brazilian military government and rise of para-military police forces to be a major factor in the rise of homicide rates in Brazil, research on violent crime trends has demonstrated that it is generally due to the intersection of many factors (for example changes in policing, social or political structures, availability of weapons, economic influences) rather than a single cause. This work integrates individual, neighborhood, and structural dynamics at play in both the rise and drop in homicide rates, and provides a framework for understanding similar phenomena in other regions, particularly in the developing world. This book will be of interest to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as political science, and international relations, particularly with an interest in South America. The methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Contents 5 About the Author 7 Introduction 8 1 Theory and Methodology—Killers that Evaluate and Act Depending on Context 16 Legitimacy and Homicide 20 References 26 2 Characteristics of Homicides in SP 28 Concentration by Territory and Population Group 31 The Context of Concentrated Disadvantages 35 References 39 3 The Beginning of the Increase in Homicides 41 Death Squads and the Morality of Executions 48 References 56 4 Homicidal Military Police 58 Justifications of Killer Police 63 References 77 5 Vigilantes—Homicides and Neighborhood Control 79 The Context and Career of Vigilantes 85 The End of Vigilantism and the Expansion of Criminal Activity 97 References 101 6 The Multiplier Effect of Homicides 103 References 106 7 Interpersonal Homicides Among Youths in Poor Neighborhoods 108 Aggressors 112 References 115 8 The Structure of Crime in São Paulo 117 References 121 9 Firearms and the Intent to Kill 122 Means and Methods for Carrying Out Homicides 123 References 125 10 Moral Cynicism and Vicious Circles 126 Cycles of Revenge and the First Homicide as a Turning Point in Personal Trajectories 133 References 149 11 Crack, Chaos, and Massacres 151 References 157 12 The Reduction in Homicides 158 Re-signification of Homicide Among Men and Youths in Violent Neighborhoods 161 References 166 13 Public Policies and Informal Controls Within Prisons 167 References 175 14 The Primeiro Comando da Capital as the Outcome of Disorder and Mass Incarceration 176 References 183 Conclusion 185 Index 188 This volume aims to explain the mechanisms for the "epidemic-like" rise in homicide rates São Paolo, Brazil during the late 20th century as well as their sharp decrease after 2000. The homicide rates increased 900 percent from 1960s-2000, and then dropped relatively quickly to 1970s levels over the next decade. While the author finds the Brazilian military government and rise of para-military police forces to be a major factor in the rise of homicide rates in Brazil, research on violent crime trends has demonstrated that it is generally due to the intersection of many factors (for example changes in policing, social or political structures, availability of weapons, economic influences) rather than a single cause. This work integrates individual, neighborhood, and structural dynamics at play in both the rise and drop in homicide rates, and provides a framework for understanding similar phenomena in other regions, particularly in the developing world. This book will be of interest to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as political science, and international relations, particularly with an interest in South America. The methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative analysis Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Theory and Methodology—Killers that Evaluate and Act Depending on Context....Pages 1-12 Characteristics of Homicides in SP....Pages 13-25 The Beginning of the Increase in Homicides....Pages 27-43 Homicidal Military Police....Pages 45-65 Vigilantes—Homicides and Neighborhood Control....Pages 67-90 The Multiplier Effect of Homicides....Pages 91-95 Interpersonal Homicides Among Youths in Poor Neighborhoods....Pages 97-105 The Structure of Crime in São Paulo....Pages 107-111 Firearms and the Intent to Kill....Pages 113-116 Moral Cynicism and Vicious Circles....Pages 117-141 Crack, Chaos, and Massacres....Pages 143-149 The Reduction in Homicides....Pages 151-159 Public Policies and Informal Controls Within Prisons....Pages 161-169 The Primeiro Comando da Capital as the Outcome of Disorder and Mass Incarceration....Pages 171-179 Back Matter....Pages 181-189 This volume aims to explain the mechanisms for the "epidemic-like" rise in homicide rates Sao Paulo, Brazil during the late 20th century as well as their sharp decrease after 2000. This volume explains the mechanisms for the 'epidemic-like' rise in homicide rates São Paolo, Brazil during the late 20th century as well as their sharp decrease after 2000