Justice Quarterly · 2004 · 95 citations · 53 references
Social SciencesCriminologyComparative Criminal LawComparative CriminologyCrimeCriminal JusticeTransnational CrimeComparative Research GovernanceTerrorist AttackUniversity Administration
The September 11, 2001 attacks sparked a surge of interest in cross‑national and transnational crime, elevating the topic from niche academic focus to mainstream media coverage. The address seeks to determine whether the post‑9/11 surge in comparative criminology is temporary or will sustain growth, and to formalize the field by proposing a typology of comparative studies. It outlines the advantages and challenges of comparative research and examines how professional bodies, academic programs, funding agencies, and scholars can advance the discipline.
The events of September 11, 2001 fueled interest in cross-national and especially transnational crime. What had been relegated to isolated interest sections in scholarly organizations suddenly became front page copy in the news media. Is this heightened interest in comparative research only a fleeting reaction to the immediacy of the terrorist attacks or will interest and research continue to grow and expand the comparative field in criminology and criminal justice? This presidential address attempts to help formalize the field of cross- and multinational research by presenting a typology of comparative studies. The benefits of comparative research as well as the impediments to the comparative approach are then explored. Finally, the future of comparative criminology and criminal justice is addressed through an examination of the role of professional organizations, university curricula, funding agencies and individual scholars in advancing the field.
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