Left Realism/ Why Crime Happens

Question 1

Name three reasons why crime happens according to left realists

Answer 1

Relative deprivation

Subcultures

Marginalisation

Question 2

Ao1 and Ao3 for relative deprivation

Answer 2

Ao1- for left realists it is about how deprived someone feels in relation to others. When they feel others unfairly have more they resort to crime so they can obtain what they feel entitled to. An example of this is the poor having access to medias materialistic messages but lacking the opportunity to gain the wealth and this fuels the sense of relative deprivation.

Ao3-
Right realists argue that poverty is not the cause of crime. They blame poor socialisation in families who have been given too much support by the government. This means they do not want to work to create their own wealth this creates a sense of entitlement causing members of the underclass to commit crimes.

Question 3

Ao1 and Ao3 subcultures

Answer 3

Ao1- for left realist a subculture is a group solution to the problem of relative deprivation some sub cultural solutions do not lead to crime. For example, some may turn to religion for comfort and this may encourage conformity. Criminal subculture subscribe to society, materialistic goals, but opportunities are blocked so they turn to crime.

Ao3- relative deprivation is a similar idea to Merton view of cultural goals and blocked opportunities

Question 4

Ao1 and Ao3 marginalisation

Answer 4

Ao1- unemployed youth are marginalised as they have no sense of organisation to represent them and no clear goals- just a sense of resentment and frustration which they express through violent means for example rioting. Lea and Young argue that in late modern society the problem of working class crime is worse because of greater job insecurity and higher employment, which fuels a sense of marginalisation.

Ao3- left realism has drawn attention to the reality of street crime and its effects especially on the disadvantaged groups.