Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/104658 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 8531
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
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: 
crime
income shock
phylloxera
19th century France
JEL: 
K42
N33
R11
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
1.55 MB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.