Punishment severity and crime rates vary across jurisdictions. Some countries have punitive sanctions and nevertheless experience relatively high crime rates. This article explores potential sources of the interjurisdictional heterogeneity in the optimal law enforcement model, paying particular attention to the possibility that the high crime despite high sanctions outcome can be socially optimal. The key conceptual issue is the interaction between detection efforts of enforcers and avoidance efforts of offenders.

中文翻译：

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论处罚的严重程度和犯罪率

刑罚的严重程度和犯罪率在不同的司法管辖区有所不同。一些国家受到惩罚性制裁，但犯罪率却相对较高。本文探讨了最佳执法模型中司法管辖权异质性的潜在来源，尤其要注意尽管制裁结果高的情况下，高犯罪率可能在社会上是最佳的可能性。关键的概念性问题是执法者的侦查工作与犯罪者的回避工作之间的相互作用。