Energy Inequality and Instrumental Violence: An Empirical Test of a Deductive Hypothesis

摘要

Economic research has firmly established that energy consumption is closely linked to economic growth patterns. The subtext of such research is that disruptions to stable supplies of affordable energy could adversely affect quality of life and interrupt patterns of social cohesiveness. This article investigates a hypothesized link between patterns of energy consumption and instrumental violence across 868 U.S. counties. Tobit regression results confirm an inverse association between a global indicator of energy consumption and robbery rates, after statistically holding constant numerous theorized correlates of crime. Results support calls for increased contingency planning in anticipation of energy-related social control challenges and continued efforts to research and develop alternate and affordable energy.