Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The question of violent crime has been widely debated in the field of political science, with scholars like Gary Becker and Daniel Lederman arguing that income inequality and social trust are the main factors behind violent crime. However, these scholars do not adequately cover the issue of allocation of financial aid and its effect on violent crime. My paper addresses the issue of violent crime, more specifically intentional homicide rates, with special attention to how financial aid effects the levels of intentional homicide. This project examines Central and South American countries to show that the higher the allocation of financial aid to conflict, peace, and security as defined by USAID the higher the level of intentional homicide. I argue that the higher level of allocation of aid to conflict, peace, and security the higher the level of intentional homicide per 100,000 population in countries that receive aid from the United States. In conclusion, this project, by closely examining allocation of financial aid from the United States for conflict, peace, and security, sheds new light on the rarely acknowledged issue of the effect allocation of financial aid has on the rate of intentional homicide per 100,000 population in different countries.