"
Broken Windows Theory" is credited in part for the decline in New York City's crime rate during Rudi Giuliani's mayoralty.
The oft-referenced "
broken windows theory" says that buildings with a few broken windows that are not repaired encourage vandals to break more windows.
It is akin to the
broken windows theory, a criminological theory that states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behaviour and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.
The key hypothesis of
Broken Windows theory is that the appearance of order gained by cracking down on misdemeanors will create the reality of order and reduce more serious violent crimes.
The book outlines seven social constructions of community that have shaped the development of criminological theory related to communities and crime: social disorganization theory, the systems model, the disadvantage model of William Julius Wilson, criminal culture, the
broken windows theory of James Q.
Interestingly, Broad draws a parallel between critiques of the
broken windows theory in criminology (which suggests addressing small signs of disorder like vandalism or loitering can prevent more serious crime and instability) and what he calls a "magic carrot" approach to food justice.
The
Broken Windows Theory has been effectively employed in some developed societies by technocrats.
While one Lyra Maleon Dacio commented, "
Broken windows theory. Keep doing what you're doing!
WORCESTER -- There's the
broken windows theory, and then there's 142 Eastern Ave.
Lovingly decorated in striped wallpaper, with shelves and a rail for clothes, it pays homage to the
broken windows theory (i.e., maintained environments are less subject to vandalism) with spaces that are charmingly organized and graffiti-free.
I argue here that order-maintenance policing and the
Broken Windows theory it was based on should be viewed as an innovative, neoliberal approach to policing.