Demagogue

In the 1990s, even as violent crime rates steadily fell in the U.S. from the historic highs of the 1970s, the public seemed as worried as ever about crime. One reason the perception may be out of kilter with the statistical reality is the emergence of Court TV and tabloid-style TV shows that stoke Americans' fascination and fears about crime with constant stories about missing teens, serial rapists, etc.

If there's any solace, it may lie in the fact that the same disconnect exists in Great Britain. As the BBC reports, public officials there are frustrated by polls showing that 60% of Brits believe that crime is on the rise even though statistics show it has been falling for the past 11 years.