"Why violent crime is so rare in Iceland"

thisguyrighthere
reply to post by crazyewok

 

I'd agree in a civilized society poverty shouldn't exist.

However, relative to the thread topic, "Why is violent crime so rare in Iceland", I do not see how economic disparity would affect violent crime rates directly.

Sure, an argument can be made for property crimes. Still that correlation is relatively weak once factors other than financial means are brought into play.

Stealing a loaf of bread and raping a girl in the woods aren't really within same scope.

edit on 3-12-2013 by thisguyrighthere because: (no reason given)

And that's a very valid point. Outside property crime (although there have been many a thieving millionaire and billionaire out there) economic disparity does not come even close to causal factors. Wealth, fame, privilege, and a prestigious family did not stop various Kennedys from doing nefarious things.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Poverty is a function of many things, not the least of which is poor personal choices.

Crime is the same way.

Since the two things are so closely linked in terms of poor personal choices. Their tends to be a very close association, but you can find criminals throughout all levels of society. I think maybe the complexion and nature of the crimes committed varies somewhat, but a criminal is as likely to be found among the very rich as he is on the street, he's just going to be embezzling instead of dealing crack.

ketsuko
reply to post by thisguyrighthere

 

Poverty is a function of many things, not the least of which is poor personal choices.

Crime is the same way.

Since the two things are so closely linked in terms of poor personal choices. Their tends to be a very close association, but you can find criminals throughout all levels of society. I think maybe the complexion and nature of the crimes committed varies somewhat, but a criminal is as likely to be found among the very rich as he is on the street, he's just going to be embezzling instead of dealing crack.

Again, well said. Sort of a "chicken and egg" sort of thing. Do poor choices, such as crime cause poverty, or does poverty cause poor choices such as crime? I'd go for the former.

reply to post by crazyewok

Seems guns are good as long as social tension are low, and a low Rich/poor divide seems to be key.

It would seem to me that guns are unnecessary under those conditions. Why would you want guns if you dont need them for protection which is obviously the case in Iceland?

reply to post by IkNOwSTuff


Lots of Icelanders live in rural conditions. If you've ever lived on a working farm, then you know that a gun is an indispensable tool. You use it for taking care of pests, for putting down livestock that need to be put down, yes, for home and personal protection because there are things that will try to eat you on occasion (not sure about Iceland).

nixie_nox
reply to post by thisguyrighthere

 

Because poverty causes crime. Period. Eliminate poverty and most of the crime will be solved.

You can be poor and NOT want to steal...There are many cases of homeless folks finding wallets in the street full of cash, and yet they hand them in to the cop's...why? because even though they are among the poorest of the poor, they CHOOSE, not to steal..to some honor and doing the right thing has no price, even at their own expense.

There are those who steal for NECESSITY, a father of four stealing food because he's been out of work for so long or he can't have welfare is one thing..that someone is pushed to that length to feed his family is a moral crime, of which the society we have become is guilty, not the thief.

Then, you have your trash who steal because it's a way of life for them, from shop's, from car's from where it aint screwed to the floor, they'll steal it...
It's something taught from a young age by their peers.
Those who steal to buy a new set of hub caps, a car stereo or buy an already stolen TV dont merit the same forgiveness as a man driven by hunger.

Eliminating poverty will not, sadly, eliminate crime because now in the ghetto we have a culture of living by theft taught from the cradle upwards..it's a vicious circle that cant be broken.

METACOMET
reply to post by andy1972

 

Well, more aptly put, Iceland has an exceptionally homogeneous population and extremely strict immigration laws.

Surely not what the "politically correct" want to hear, though.

edit on 12America/Chicago31am2013-12-03T11:53:37-06:00201312America/Chicago31 by METACOMET because: (no reason given)

homogeny and strict immigration..

and now you can see why the USA is in the crapper.


when everyone is together there is strength.

So you're telling me Iceland has low crime, guns, and lack of diversity? HELL NAH!!!!!! In this day in age it's unacceptable to be missing out on all the cultural enrichment. Hopefully some grimy socialist can get over there and start guilt tripping these people into a coma, like the rest of the western world.

wingsfan
So you're telling me Iceland has low crime, guns, and lack of diversity? HELL NAH!!!!!! In this day in age it's unacceptable to be missing out on all the cultural enrichment. Hopefully some grimy socialist can get over there and start guilt tripping these people into a coma, like the rest of the western world.

It is SOOO easy.. Icelanders .. outlaw the trump card phrase now.. "But, they/he/them/her are on the same Earth as you, don't they deserve more for their family. You should let them in by the MILLIONS!"

gets everybody, everytime.. Must be a hypo trance phrase or something.

The first guy shot and killed by police just happened.. wow.

I wonder if they have many bank robberies, ever?

Of course equality and good equalizing services are the key. No one could vouch for themselves or their families living in extreme circumstances, not 100% and even if you'd pray till death in the gutter, not sure your son would, eh?

reply to post by ketsuko

same can be said for the war on drugs..more prevalent than ever.
iceland is fairly socialist..everyone chips in for good of all..america is dog eat dog and fears of their neighboor getting food stamps on their dime

reply to post by crazyewok

Very interesting.

As to why violent crime might be so rare in Iceland, here are some more possible factors :

- the corporate tax rate in Iceland is 20%, one of the lowest in the world.
- although the standard VAT rate in Iceland is 25,5%, several basic goods and services are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 7%.
- Icelands corruption index is close to the top 10 (#12) according to Transparency International.

- last but not least:
Iceland is the only country I'm aware of that had a referendum about the fallout of the GFC, stood up to the IMF, refused to pay for their bankers mistakes and put them and the politicians responsible in jail instead of bailing them out. In other words: they practised true moral integrity!