An Introduction to Criminological Theory and the Problem of Causation

"Jason Warr's Criminological Theory and the Problem of Causation is a romp through some familiar and unfamiliar terrain pertaining to one of the key problems within criminology - the problem of crime causation. Excavating the implicit (at times explicit) assumptions and models of causation that have dominated the discipline of criminology for a century or so, Warr reminds us that criminology has often deployed overly simplistic models of causation which have left specific explanations open to criticism and consignment to the pile marked 'not quite adequate'." (Jo Phoenix, Open University) "Warr's book is like a 'short, sharp shock' to the study of criminology, exposing the dirty, little secret of our field and showing a way forward in thinking about the crucial issue of "causality" and crime. Although subsequent theorising in criminology need not adopt Warr's specific suggestions for modeling the causes of crime, no serious scholar or student of the discipline should ignore his cogent analysis of this key issue." (Shadd Maruna, Professor of Criminology, University of Manchester)

This text offers a novel contribution to the literature on core criminological theory by introducing the complex issues relating to the structuring and analysing of causation. This text traces the paradigm shift, or drift, that has occurred in the history of criminology and shows how the problem of causation has been a leading factor in these theoretical developments. This short book is the first of its kind and is an introductory text designed to introduce both seasoned criminologists as well as students of criminology to the interesting intersections between the fields of criminology and the philosophy of the social sciences.
The problem of causation is notoriously difficult and has plagued philosophers and scientists for centuries. Warr highlights the importance of grappling with this problem and demonstrates how it can lead to unsuccessful theorising and can prevent students from fully appreciating the development of thinking in criminology. This accessible account will prove to be a must-read for scholars of criminal justice, penology and philosophy of social science.