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

Caroli, Eve; Galbiati, Roberto; Bignon, Vincent

Caroli, Eve; Galbiati, Roberto; Bignon, Vincent (2014), Stealing to Survive : Crime and Income Shocks in 19th Century France. https://basepub.dauphine.fr/handle/123456789/7249

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Type

Document de travail / Working paper

Date

2014

Publisher

Institute for the Study of Labor

Series title

Discussion Paper Series

Published in

Bonn

Metadata

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Author(s)

Caroli, Eve

Galbiati, Roberto

Bignon, Vincent

Abstract (EN)

Using local administrative data from 1826 to 1936, we document the evolution of crime ratesin 19th century France and we estimate the impact of a negative income shock on crime. Ouridentification strategy exploits the phylloxera crisis. Between 1863 and 1890, phylloxeradestroyed about 40% of French vineyards. We use the geographical variation in the timing ofthis 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 propertycrime rates and a significant decrease in violent crimes.

Subjects / Keywords

Crime; income shock; 19th century France; phylloxera

JEL

K42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
N33 - Europe: Pre-1913
R11 - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes