THE CAUSAL EFFECT OF MILITARY CONSCRIPTION ON CRIME

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hjalmarsson, Randi; Lindquist, Matthew J.
• 署名单位: University of Gothenburg; Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR); Stockholm University
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/uez014
• 发表日期: 2019
• 页码: 2522-2562
• 关键词: vietnam-era conscription; child protection; combat exposure; draft; EMPLOYMENT; veterans; service; men; education; earnings

摘要

We study the causal effect of mandatory military conscription in Sweden on the criminal behaviour of men born in the 1970s. We find that military service significantly increases post-service crime (overall and across multiple crime categories) between the ages of 23 and 30. These results are driven primarily by young men who come from low socioeconomic status households and those with pre-service criminal histories, despite evidence of a contemporaneous incapacitation effect of service for the latter group. Much of this crime-inducing effect can be attributed to negative peer effects experienced during service. Worse post-service labour market outcomes may also matter.