Types

• Four major types of legal traditions sum up the almost 190 countries in the world: Islamic, socialist, civil and common. Islamic systems, also known as Arabic or Muslim justice, incorporates the teachings of the Koran into justice. Socialist justice rules in communist countries. Civil or Roman law is the justice system used in most countries. Common justice is prevalent in most English-speaking societies.
  
  

Causes of Crime

• Criminologists theorize that urbanization causes violent crimes in most cultures. In rural societies, community ties and close family relationships lead to decreased crime. In urban societies, impersonality and anonymity increase criminal behavior, along with the close proximity of individuals.
  
  

Low Crime Rates

• Some countries have low crime rates simply because of under-reporting. Asian societies motivate individuals through "family honor," which seems to be somewhat effective in deterring criminal behavior.