Internalizing Legal Norms

An Investigation into the Legitimacy of Payback Killings in the New Guinea Islands

Bibliographic Data

ID4748632
AuthorsShaun Larcom (0000-0003-0029-3264, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume49
Issue1
Pages179-208
Publication date2015-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLaw & Society Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0023-9216 • E-ISSN: 1540-5893
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/lasr.12124
OpenAlexW1569737342
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited32

This article investigates beliefs concerning the legitimacy of the traditional customary practice of payback in the New Guinea Islands; a practice that has been illegal for more than a century. The practice of payback is described and contextualized and a conceptual framework of norm internalization in a legal transplant society is developed. The empirical results highlight a stark urban-rural divide in attitudes. Yet, against expectations, those in urban environments (and in closer proximity to the state criminal law) are more likely to agree with the use of payback. An expected relationship is found between the ability to speak English and not agreeing with the use of payback. The empirical results suggest that the criminal law may be a weak force and that non-legal channels may be more effective in transforming society

Criminology · Empirical research · Epistemology · Ethnology · Law and economics · Legal norm · Legitimacy · New guinea · Norm (philosophy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · State (computer science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Law · Law in Society and Culture · Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses

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