SOCIOLOGY OF LAW: PHENOMENON OF DEVASTATION

Abstract

Objective: to define the possibility of using, under the modern Russian conditions, the techniques of efficient crime prevention used in America and Germany, within the frameworks of “broken windows” conception and zero tolerance policy.Methods: systemic-structural approach to the analysis of research object, comparative-legal method, comparative historic method, as well as logical methods.Results: the potentials and limits are analyzed of application of the “Broken Windows” theory in Germany; the differences are listed between the concept of public control over conduct rules observance in Germany and the zero tolerance policy in America; the relationship is illustrated between security level and architectural design of the environment; the possibility of crime prevention at the municipal level through a policy of zero tolerance to disorder and offences; ways of strengthening informal social control in urban areas are listed; measures for the prevention of street crime used in the modern Russian conditions are listed and analyzed.Scientific novelty: for the first time, the article comprehensively examines the different methods of preventing street crime, implemented by different countries; provides practical recommendations on measures for effective prevention of street crime in Russia on the basis of national and international experience. Practical significance: basing on the study of theoretical principles and practical examples, the authors make suggestions for improving the existing methods of effective prevention of street crime in Russia taking into account national and international experience.

Keywords

• criminal law
• criminology
• urban sociology
• sociology education
• sociology of law and crime
• broken windows theory
• zero tolerance policy