Poster Paper:
Alcohol Ban and Crime: The Abc's of the Bihar Prohibition
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Plaza Building: Concourse Level, Plaza Exhibits (Sheraton Denver Downtown)
*Names in bold indicate Presenter
The relationship between crime and alcohol consumption is a significant policy concern. This paper studies whether a total prohibition of alcohol can be effective in reducing crime in the context of a developing country. Using a difference-in-differences research design in the context of a prohibition imposed in the Indian state of Bihar, we provide evidence that the ban led to a reduction in the incidence of violent crimes (0.21 standard deviation)
with no significant impact on non-violent crimes. Moreover, by employing a host of heterogeneity tests we try to isolate the channel through which these effects are operating. Our results are robust to alternate specifications including the use of a synthetic control group.
with no significant impact on non-violent crimes. Moreover, by employing a host of heterogeneity tests we try to isolate the channel through which these effects are operating. Our results are robust to alternate specifications including the use of a synthetic control group.
