Tony Blair (Left Realism)

Question 1

What is Left Realism?

Answer 1

• Critics of Marxism have ignored the impact of crime on victims, and have ignored the reality of street crime and its impact on working-class communities.
• Crime is mainly committing due to relative deprivation, in a capitalist society.
• Capitalism encourages high levels of consumption, which it cannot deliver, this leads to crimes being committed as people are motivated by consumerism and materialism.

Question 2

What is Relative Deprivation?

Answer 2

• The concept of relative deprivation is that it explains why there is a rise in crime in an increasingly wealthy society.
• It suggests that a rise in expectations for material possessions due to media and advertising, has led to an increased pressure to get more to keep up with everyone, which leads to a higher crime rate as people use any means to achieve this.

Question 3

What is social exclusion?

Answer 3

The idea that a lack of power/resources in society led to a group feeling marginalized and having no access to legitimate political means to pursue goals, which leads to expression through violence. E.g. unemployed youth.

Question 4

What are subcultures (Crim)?

Answer 4

Subcultures are a group’s collective response to the situation of relative deprivation, with subcultures that still focus on mainstream values of material wealth, but lack the legitimate opportunities to achieve these goals will turn to crime.

Question 5

What is Consensus Policing?

Answer 5

• Local policing strategies are discussed and agreed on within the community, as they create a relationship with the people in the community.
• Could lead to better policing as more trust is built between the community and the police.

Question 6

What are criticism of Left Realism?

Answer 6

• Marxists argue that these policies may tackle deprivation but not the underlying structural inequalities of a capitalist system.
• Expensive crime prevention methods if done properly, however if achieved this can give long term gains as it ‘turns’ potential criminals into a tax payer.
• These policies only tackle working class communities in inner city and not elite crime e.g. white collar.
• Foucault and Garland interpret these strategies as focusing on surveillance/control rather than attempting to create a real social change that prevents crime.

Question 7

What did Tony Blair say about crime?

Answer 7

Tough on crime. Tough on the causes of crime.

Question 8

What is an example of Tony Blairs criminal policy?

Answer 8

Punative Laws - which included automatic life sentences for a serious second offence.