ABSTRACT
The economic theory of discrimination is used to analyze hate-motivated words and actions. To understand, discuss, and research hate, students of economics need to agree upon the definitions of hate-related terms. The economic analysis of hate is an extension of the economics of discrimination as presented by Gary Becker. The Hate Crime Sentencing Enhancement Act, originally a separate act, was added as an amendment to the 1994 act. Hate can develop into violence against women or child abuse in a number of ways, including rape and different forms of abuse and bullying, both physical and psychological. Hate speech is the use of spoken or written words, or physical actions that portray words, to incite violence or discrimination against a person or group due to specific characteristics. Hate crimes, also called bias-motivated crimes, are crimes in which the perpetrator's bias against another person's personal characteristics is the reason, or one of the reasons, for the committing of the crime.
