ENGLISH MEBY

社会主義、資本主義、そして暴力犯罪:相反するイデオロギーと社会不安」の英語長文問題

以下の英文を読み、設問に答えなさい。

The relationship between socioeconomic systems and violent crime rates is a complex and highly debated topic. Some argue that capitalist societies, with their inherent inequalities and emphasis on individual competition, breed a climate conducive to violence. The vast disparities in wealth, they claim, create resentment and desperation among the marginalized, leading to higher crime rates. Conversely, proponents of capitalism often point to the rule of law and strong institutions as deterrents to crime. They argue that a free market system, with its opportunities for upward mobility, ultimately reduces crime by providing incentives for productive behavior. Socialist systems, on the other hand, are often presented as an alternative model with lower crime rates due to their emphasis on social equality and the provision of basic necessities. The argument is that by reducing economic inequality and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and employment, socialist societies create a more stable and secure environment with less incentive for individuals to resort to violence. However, critics counter that socialist systems can suffer from a lack of individual initiative, potentially leading to bureaucratic inefficiency and a suppression of individual liberties, which can indirectly contribute to social unrest and crime. Empirical evidence on the relationship between socioeconomic systems and crime is far from conclusive. Studies comparing crime rates across different countries with varying economic systems have yielded mixed results, often confounded by other factors such as cultural norms, policing strategies, and data collection methods. Furthermore, even within a single country, the relationship between socioeconomic factors and crime can be highly localized, with significant variations in crime rates between different regions and communities. Ultimately, the complex interplay between socioeconomic systems and violence is not easily reduced to a simple cause-and-effect relationship. A multitude of interacting factors – from cultural values and historical context to the effectiveness of law enforcement and the availability of social support networks – contribute to the overall level of violent crime. Attributing crime rates solely to the overarching economic ideology is an oversimplification that ignores the multifaceted nature of this pervasive social problem.

1. According to the passage, what is a common criticism of capitalist societies regarding violent crime?

2. What is a primary argument used to support the claim that socialist systems have lower crime rates?

3. What does the passage conclude about the relationship between socioeconomic systems and violent crime?

4. The passage suggests that the empirical evidence on the relationship between socioeconomic systems and crime is: