A GENERAL-THEORY OF CRIME AND PATTERNS OF CRIME IN NIGERIA - AN EXPLORATION OF METHODOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS

The general theory of crime proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) claims to be valid across rime and space. That claim is assessed thro ugh an analysis of three categories of Nigerian crime-normal, politica l-economic, and riotous. Logical, empirical, and theoretical shortcomi ngs in the theory are identified and discussed. Factually, many indivi duals who act imprudently (and criminally) in Nigeria do not seem to f it the low self-control characterization required under the theory. Lo gically and theoretically, unacknowledged value assumptions built into the theory undermine ifs claim to universality.