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Stealing to Survive? Crime and Income Shocks in 19th Century France

Bignon, Vincent; Caroli, Eve; Galbiati, Roberto (2017), Stealing to Survive? Crime and Income Shocks in 19th Century France, The Economic Journal, 127, 599, p. 19-49. 10.1111/ecoj.12270

Type
Article accepté pour publication ou publié
External document link
https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00623804
Date
2017
Journal name
The Economic Journal
Volume
127
Number
599
Publisher
Macmillan
Pages
19-49
Publication identifier
Metadata
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Author(s)
Bignon, Vincent
DGEI - DEMFI - Banque de France
Caroli, Eve

Galbiati, Roberto
Abstract (EN)
Using local administrative data from 1826 to 1936, we document the evolution of crime rates in 19th century France and we estimate the impact of a negative income shock on crime. Our identification strategy exploits the phylloxera crisis. Between 1863 and 1890, phylloxera destroyed about 40% of French vineyards. We use the geographical variation in the timing of this shock to identify its impact on property and violent crime rates, as well as minor offences. Our estimates suggest that the phylloxera crisis caused a substantial increase in property crime rates and a significant decrease in violent crimes.
Subjects / Keywords
Crime; income shock; phylloxera; 19th century France
JEL
R11 - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
N33 - Europe: Pre-1913
K42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law