‘Focused Deterrence’: Works in practice, but does it work in theory?

Abstract

Deterrence is a subject of discussion across the disciplines of criminology and Security Studies. However, scholars in the latter discipline have access to a far richer relevant terminology. The terminology of deterrence in Security Studies has particularly grown in relation to terrorism. This paper seeks to use that terminology as an aid to the detailed examination of an approach to crime reduction: Focused Deterrence. Use of Focused Deterrence has delivered promising results, but mechanistic explanation of such outcomes has been found wanting. It is hoped that access to a more detailed terminology will assist those seeking to identify causal mechanisms.