The Social Correlates of Punitiveness Toward Criminal: A Study of the Czech Republic and Florida

Abstrakt

The United States and the Czech Republic have become more punitive in their responses to criminal behavior. Using survey data collected in Florida in 1997 and in the Czech Republic in 1998, we identify significant predictors of punitive attitudes for individual citizens of both countries.

OLS regression analysis indicates that punitive attitudes for both countries are shaped by fear of crime generally, as well as by more crime-specific concerns. Anthipathy toward those perceived as 'other' is the strongest predictor of punitiveness in the Czech Republic.

In Florida, conservatism is a consistent predictor of punitive attitudes.