Durkheim’s Theory of Homicide and the Confusion of the Empirical Literature

Abstract

Emile Durkheim’s theory of the relationship between societal development and homicide has received significant attention in the empirical literature of criminology, yet has been oversimplified by this literature and appears to be poorly understood. The purpose of this article is to clarify the core arguments of his theory, note its complexity and highlight the extent to which Durkheim’s ideas on this subject have been misrepresented in empirical literature. In view of what Durkheim explicitly states about societal development and homicide, it is apparent that his theory has not been carefully tested. Distortions of his work have resulted both from the fragmented nature of his theoretical presentation and, perhaps more importantly, from the failure of contemporary researchers to read his work thoroughly.