Is there crime in every society?

The assertion that there is crime in every society is supported by sociological and criminological research. Crime, in this context, refers to behavior that violates the legal norms and regulations established by a society. All societies, regardless of their size or type, have some form of rules and expectations governing behavior, and when individuals or groups transgress these rules, it is classified as criminal behavior.

Even in societies that are characterized as having low crime rates, certain actions may still be deemed unlawful, whether they are minor offenses or violations of more significant laws. Additionally, the very definition of what constitutes a crime can vary; however, the existence of laws that classify certain actions as criminal implies that there will be individuals who deviate from those laws.

Thus, the concept underscores a universal aspect of human behavior where the potential for crime exists in all structured societies, highlighting the persistence of vulnerabilities and conflicts within human interactions.