Whose civic community? Testing alternative hypotheses of the relationship between civic community and racial inequality in arrest rates
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-5-2010
Abstract
This analysis extends prior research on racial inequality in arrest rates by testing opposing hypotheses derived from the civic community tradition in sociology. One interpretation of this perspective suggests that communities with a locally-oriented economic infrastructure, an abundance of civic institutions, and civically engaged citizens should exhibit lower racial disparity in arrest rates. On the other hand, recent writings exposing a potential "dark side" of social capital suggest that civic community may exacerbate such racial disparties. Using spatial regression models to analyze data from nearly 1,800 U.S. counties, the current analysis examines these competing hypotheses regarding the effects of civic community. Results suggest mixed support for both the traditional and "dark side" predictions. Implications for theory and empirical research are discussed.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Sociological Spectrum
First Page
550
Last Page
579
Recommended Citation
Ousey, G., & Lee, M. (2010). Whose civic community? Testing alternative hypotheses of the relationship between civic community and racial inequality in arrest rates. Sociological Spectrum, 30 (5), 550-579. https://doi.org/10.1080/02732173.2010.496104