Macrostructural Opportunity and Violent Crime: The Impact of Social Structure on Inter- and Intra-Racial Violence

Researchers have examined the correlates of inter-group relationships, relying heavily on Blau’s ( The American Journal of Sociology, 83 , 26–54, 1977 ) macrostructural opportunity theory. The results of these studies have given mixed support for the relationship between social structure and inter-racial violence. This study builds on existing research on inter-group violence by examining what social structural correlates may influence intra- and inter-group violence using the macrostructural opportunity theory as a guiding framework. Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System as well as the American Community Survey are utilized to construct a large sample of counties across the United States. The findings provide mixed support for Blau’s hypotheses, with heterogeneity and segregation showing some effects on inter-group violence, while racial inequality remains largely a non-significant predictor.