It annoys me to no end when the 24/7 media circus and the human tendency to fixate on highlights completely skews perspective. Let's start with your typical "the way the world is going... " after every horrid incident that you read in the news.
Sure, until the last crime stops in the world, we need to worry about such things (and it is not my intent to trivialize the bad side of society), but let's look at numbers regarding US crime statistics. This chart (from Pew) gives you an idea of the last 20 years, but let's put it in words: Rapes are down to 1/6th of the level of the 90s, Non-fatal firearm crime is down to 1/5th, and homicide rates (down by more than 50% across the board and MUCH more in major cities.. yes.. you got me.. Detroit is an exception) have been dropping at such a fast rate that now we're looking at numbers not seen in more than 100 years.. and possibly ever! Sorry gun control nuts, I am indeed on your side, but please don't spell out wrong facts while stating your case (which is just). Also, America bashers, violent crime in the US is now actually less than that in the UK and "Europe" and it has been so for 15 years... and yes.. this is a selective stat - homicide rates in the US are much higher..
Below is what the US public thinks about crime rates in the past 20 years.
Of course... and before you blame stupid Americans about it, the British are pretty much the same (they're wrong about everything too).
Democracy is obviously the answer to modern governance, but if the public are so wrong about basic things (that independent article is great fun.. read the parts regarding job seeker's allowance vs foreign aid and welfare cheating), what is the point?
And it is not just the US and UK that have seen a decline in violence.. have a look.
Now, in the bigger scheme of things, as Steven Pinker explains in his WONDERFUL book "The Better Angels of our Nature", a preview of which can be found here , we're living in the "most peaceable era in the existence of our species". At both small and large time scales, things are continually improving, and at a good pace. Now.. of course, we can't take things for granted AND there is no guarantee that things will continue the way they are (at least at the micro scale - I am confident about the overall trend). We are naturally wired to operate on highlights and recent events, but the next time something horrible happens, I hope the media at least makes an effort to add a proper background.
Now, as to why exactly US crime has been dropping (interesting because it is lower than many developed countries), here are some specific reasons other that what Pinker gives : better law enforcement, more incarcerations more abortions (sorry!), the internet, some social programs, urban rejuvenation projects, better security, lead paint (!!), etc.
I have a thousand more things to say on this topic and better links to post, but as always, my blogging budget is too low (besides the football game just ended on TV and I've finished dinner). I have, however, done you (not as in 'you' but as in 'the general public other than you') a big favor. Click this link. Peace.
Edit: Wow.. quite a few messages, eh! Let me add that declining violence is not always a guarantee by any means and even though you're safer, it will never be safe enough in any large country... and sure the police in most US cities are under tremendous pressure with meagre resources to fight crime with, so articles like this may appear to be in poor taste, but that is not the point. To quote Pinker "As one becomes aware of the historical decline of violence, the world begins to look different. The past seems less innocent, the present less sinister. One starts to appreciate the small gifts of coexistence that would have seemed utopian to our ancestors. For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment that we can savor". Though Pinker's arguments relate directly to the longer time scales, there are some lessons to be learnt.
Edit: Wow.. quite a few messages, eh! Let me add that declining violence is not always a guarantee by any means and even though you're safer, it will never be safe enough in any large country... and sure the police in most US cities are under tremendous pressure with meagre resources to fight crime with, so articles like this may appear to be in poor taste, but that is not the point. To quote Pinker "As one becomes aware of the historical decline of violence, the world begins to look different. The past seems less innocent, the present less sinister. One starts to appreciate the small gifts of coexistence that would have seemed utopian to our ancestors. For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment that we can savor". Though Pinker's arguments relate directly to the longer time scales, there are some lessons to be learnt.
