It is often argued, not least in the media, that crime is increasing rapidly. We can easily find claims that crimes committed by immigrants are making our societies more insecure than before. There are also political dynamics in both countries that make the crime issue more salient, especially during election years. In this seminar I want to dig deeper on what we know about current trends in crime – especially violent crime – and reactions to crime in Chile and Sweden. Obviously, we can expect many differences in crime levels and trends, the reactions the state chooses to enact – as for instance alternatives to prison – and the political climate between what could be described as a social-democratic welfare state (Sweden) and a neo-liberal state (Chile). But perhaps there is also some unexpected similarities that need to be better understood.

Felipe Estrada

Professor in Criminology and head of the Department of Criminology at Stockholm University. He has recently been visiting professor at the Department of Social Work of Universidad Catolica and CESC - Centro de Estudios en Seguridad Ciudadana  in Universidad de Chile. His research interest are Crime and Inequality, Life Chances and Life Course Criminology, Crime Trends and Social Change and Crime Policy.