The 1970s Crime Wave

About this episode

Alex and Tyler discuss the social upheaval and crime wave of the 1970s, examining its impact on American cities and policy.

In this final installment of their series on the 1970s, Alex and Tyler turn to the social upheaval and crime wave that marked the decade as one of America's most turbulent. They explore how rising crime rates transformed cities, fueled a national sense of fear, and led to far-reaching policy shifts, including mass incarceration and changes in urban policing. From the shocking statistics on homicide and stranger violence to the rise of serial killers and political bombings, they consider how the era's unprecedented violence influenced American culture and policy. The conversation concludes with a caution against complacency, as they reflect on how fragile today's low-crime environment may be—and what lessons from the past should guide us in preserving it. Recorded July 17, 2024 Transcript, video, and links: https://www.mercatus.org/marginal-revolution-podcast/1970s-crime-wave Stay connected: Follow Alex on X: https://x.com/ATabarrok Follow Tyler on X: https://x.com/tylercowen See Alex and Tyler's recent posts on Marginal Revolution: https://marginalrevolution.com/

People in this episode

Hosts: Alex, Tyler

Topics covered

• 1970s
• crime wave
• social upheaval
• urban policing
• mass incarceration
• American culture
• policy shifts

Keywords

• crime rates
• homicide
• serial killers
• political bombings
• urban policing
• mass incarceration
• American culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mercatus Center at George Mason University

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