The Broken Windows Theory, and the Man Who Went Viral Because He Was Addressing It

Have you ever heard of the Broken Windows Theory? It’s a theory in criminology introduced in 1982 by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. Simply put, the Broken Windows Theory suggests that visible signs of disorder, e.g. actual broken windows, graffiti, litter, etc., encourages further rule-breaking, disruptive behavior, and even more serious crime.  The idea is that enforcing laws addressing “petty” things and minor issues actually leads to reduced incidences of crime. The metaphor that Wilson and Kelling used is a building with broken windows – symbolizing neglect, broken windows show that rules are not enforced, and negative behaviors are tolerated.  In the Philippines, we have a lot of “broken windows”.    The Man Addressing these “Broken Windows” One recent issue that

read more   →