Crime: Concept, Causes and Militating Factors

Abstract

Nature sets out its orderliness for mankind to abide by. This orderliness follows the course of, and can
therefore be termed, natural law. Acts in conformity with the orderliness are deemed good deeds, while
those that run counter are bad. Unlike in the state of nature, where the order of the day was the survival of
the fittest; the evolution of civilization resulted in every society becoming conscious of nature’s orderliness,
though the mode of expressing them differed from place to place. Man has the tendency to congregate,
survive and also prosper in the society. The degree of structure and order based on the society’s cultural
heritage is expressed in its values and aspirations, and prohibitions charged on acts likely to endanger the
health and safety of its citizens, as well as those that infringe on their enjoyment and possession of
property – be they personal or communal. Murder, Armed Robbery, Rape, Stealing and manslaughter are
examples of prohibited acts that endanger people’s lives and well-being. They had thrived due to
industrialization, globalization and complex changes taking place in countries the world over. This paper
dwells on the nature of crime, why crime is prohibited, why they thrive and factors that militate against it.