Rebuilding communities: Stopping crime at its roots

Source: (1994) In Context: A Quarterly of Humane Sustainable Culture (Spring): 59ff.

Beginning with the idea of social change oriented toward more humane and sustainable conditions and systems, Gilman explores conditions that foster crime and changes that would reduce crime. He construes crime as resulting from and contributing to the lack if interconnectedness among people and communities. In contrast, economic, legal, and social institutions in a sustainable society should reflect and enhance interconnectedness. Many of the underlying problems that foster crime would thus be addressed at their roots. In this context, Gilman highlights directions for desirable social changes in economics, architecture, and employment.