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Brazil sets new record for homicides

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Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#21

Post by djsumdog »

anoncoward111 wrote: post #3

I recently moved to a "bad neighborhood" and was very surprised to learn that there was only one murder here last year, and it was between friends who had stolen something from each other. There were only around 13,000 murders last year in the US, a number that used to be more like 26,000 during the crack epidemic 30 years ago. US population has increased by 10s of millions since then, but murders continue to drop. A…

Random crime in general is actually pretty rare. You are always most likely to be a victim of a crime by a family member, 2nd a person you know.

Even in Brazil I bet a lot of this happens in communities, where they can try to justify violence due to some perceived slight.

And of course let's not forget that America's crazy gun laws are pushed by gun lobbies because they help increase sales by creating an easy way to funnel guns into South and Central America.

Much of the violence is there because of things like The School of the Americas and the work of US interests in promoting less democratic states to make it easier to gather resources (see the book: Confessions of an Economic Hitman). While it may not be directly related to the gang violence, those policies do spill over and make this sort of trend easier.

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#22

Post by sjs382 »

anoncoward111 wrote: post #3

I recently moved to a "bad neighborhood" and was very surprised to learn that there was only one murder here last year, and it was between friends who had stolen something from each other. There were only around 13,000 murders last year in the US, a number that used to be more like 26,000 during the crack epidemic 30 years ago. US population has increased by 10s of millions since then, but murders continue to drop. A…

Even here in New Orleans, violence tends to be between people who have a relationship with each other or at least know one another.

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#23

Post by ulzeraj »

mavdi wrote: post #10
dbelchamber wrote: post #2

Eesh. If all of this is accurate, it is problematic indeed. I wonder how many of these homicides would cease to occur if drugs were made legal in Brazil (I wonder about this worldwide). I've never understood why it's difficult for people to understand the awful incentive structures that making drugs illegal puts into motion.

Brazil, like most of South (and now perhaps north too?) America suffers from macho populism. A lot of character politicians with tough messages, empty promises and sadly the population just falls for it every time. These stats, along with others, is the result of years of populism, corruption and neglect.

Let’s ignore the fact that the last president was a woman and that this is the direct result of her party disastrous administration. Blame machismo. It always works.

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#24

Post by tomcam »

djsumdog wrote: post #21
anoncoward111 wrote: post #3

I recently moved to a "bad neighborhood" and was very surprised to learn that there was only one murder here last year, and it was between friends who had stolen something from each other. There were only around 13,000 murders last year in the US, a number that used to be more like 26,000 during the crack epidemic 30 years ago. US population has increased by 10s of millions since then, but murders continue to drop. A…

Random crime in general is actually pretty rare. You are always most likely to be a victim of a crime by a family member, 2nd a person you know. Even in Brazil I bet a lot of this happens in communities, where they can try to justify violence due to some perceived slight. And of course let's not forget that America's crazy gun laws are pushed by gun lobbies because they help increase sales by creating an easy way to…

> America's crazy gun laws are pushed by gun lobbies because they help increase sales by creating an easy way to funnel guns into South and Central America.

What? The Bill of Rights was that prescient? I assume it is our freedom of the press that’s responsible for the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf?

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#25

Post by kolbe »

anoncoward111 wrote: post #3

I recently moved to a "bad neighborhood" and was very surprised to learn that there was only one murder here last year, and it was between friends who had stolen something from each other. There were only around 13,000 murders last year in the US, a number that used to be more like 26,000 during the crack epidemic 30 years ago. US population has increased by 10s of millions since then, but murders continue to drop. A…

You simply did not live in a bad neighborhood by American standards. The worst neighborhoods in Chicago have murder rates far worse than Brazil as a country. For example Brazil has an intentional homicide rate around 30, whereas Chicago has 26 neighborhoods higher, with the most dangerous one, Engelwood, topping out at 172. To put that in context, the world's most dangerous city is Caracas at 120.

http://www.chicagonow.com/getting-real/2017/07/chicagos-safe...

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#26

Post by Frondo »

jandrewrogers wrote: post #16
anoncoward111 wrote: post #3

I recently moved to a "bad neighborhood" and was very surprised to learn that there was only one murder here last year, and it was between friends who had stolen something from each other. There were only around 13,000 murders last year in the US, a number that used to be more like 26,000 during the crack epidemic 30 years ago. US population has increased by 10s of millions since then, but murders continue to drop. A…

Murders in the US are extremely unevenly distributed. Most Americans live their entire lives without ever knowing anyone who was murdered. Many "bad neighborhoods" are not bad because of the prevalence of murder, but because of the prevalence of burglary, theft, etc.

Anecdotally, I wonder how true this is. I'm two degrees separated from two people who were murdered--one was a colleague of my father (killer never caught, suspected they knew each other, though), one a friend of my sister (also never caught, though less likely a friend/acquaintance due to her age). Surely my experience isn't that unique?? If so, wow.

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#28

Post by jessaustin »

duncanawoods wrote: post #20
lbrito wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, about 80% are drug related.

What is the conflict that's causing such a high rate? I associate Col/Mex deaths with cartels warring over trafficking routes but what is happening in Brazil? Is it just street trade?

Normal business disputes are settled through the courts (or the threat of the courts). Disputes related to illegal business are settled through violence. The state benefits by maintaining a base level of violence, so it always keeps some popular industries outlawed.

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#29

Post by slig »

coliveira wrote: post #14
mavdi wrote: post #6

While still shocking, life in Brazil isn't the kinda Aleppo like bloodshed this article portrays. Majority of victims are young male gang members sucked into the drug turf wars.

Correct, and this happens because Brazil is one of the most disgustingly unequal countries in the world. There was a small pause during the leftist governments when there was a noted improvement in social support for the poor, but the recent events have brought even that to an end. The current government is not only corrupt but is completely anti-people. Their plan is to cut the little existing social net, destroy pu…

> Their plan is to cut the little existing social net, destroy public education, and put everyone who complains under military surveillance.

Can you give sources for that affirmations?

Re: Brazil sets new record for homicides

#30

Post by tomcam »

mavdi wrote: post #10
dbelchamber wrote: post #2

Eesh. If all of this is accurate, it is problematic indeed. I wonder how many of these homicides would cease to occur if drugs were made legal in Brazil (I wonder about this worldwide). I've never understood why it's difficult for people to understand the awful incentive structures that making drugs illegal puts into motion.

Brazil, like most of South (and now perhaps north too?) America suffers from macho populism. A lot of character politicians with tough messages, empty promises and sadly the population just falls for it every time. These stats, along with others, is the result of years of populism, corruption and neglect.

Good point. America elected macho populist Barack Obama twice, and macho populist Hillary Clinton took the popular vote.
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