The aim of the project is to recommend how the state, through the criminal law (and through other kinds of repressive legislation) should deal – or not deal – with begging in public places, an issue of increasing interest in at least some of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway). Not only “orthodox” begging, but similar activities – such as troubadouring on the metro and following it up by asking for money, as well as institutionalized begging from charity organizations – need to be given attention. In order to answer the main question investigations in three different scientific branches will be made:

• criminal law, regarding current legislation, preparatory works and court practice in the Nordic countries and some other countries (USA, England, Soviet and current Russia);
• criminology, of empirical as well as theoretical kind; and
• political philosophy (and to some extent moral philosophy).