Final answer:
The Selovich case in Fairbanks, Alaska, can be contextualized within the broader trends of violent crime rates and the efficiency of incarceration policies. Incarceration of severe offenders reduces certain crimes, but not overall rates, and public perception of crime is often elevated due to media influence. The U.S. criminal justice system is known for harsher penalties, especially for gun-related crimes, compared to European practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The case against Selovich in Fairbanks, Alaska can be understood in the context of current trends in violent crimes and the criminal justice system's response to such crimes. While violent crime rates have decreased since the 1980s, there's an uneven drop across different states and no clear correlation between high incarceration rates and declining crime rates. Research suggests that incarcerating severe offenders helps reduce certain types of crimes, but long-term imprisonment for minor crimes is less effective in lowering overall crime rates.
According to social disorganization theory, factors such as the percentage of young males, jobless rate, and residential instability are predictors of crime rates. The presence of certain businesses or institutions can aggravate crime rates when these factors are constant. Historical perspectives also show that the U.S. criminal justice system has had a track record of injustices, particularly towards immigrants and radicals, as seen with the Sacco and Vanzetti case.
The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act aimed at reducing crime through tougher penalties, but it led to increased racial disparities in incarcerations. Public perception often misjudges the actual crime rate, influenced by media and entertainment, which may contribute to a heightened fear of crime despite a downward trend in reality. Hence, the American justice approach, known for longer sentences, particularly for gun-related crimes, shows a clear disparity with European standards.