Right Realism/New Right Explanations and Solutions Flashcards
What does right realism believe?
- individualism
- inequality and poverty is an individual’s fault and it is their choice to commit a crime
- The rich shouldn’t be taxed as it allows them to spend money creating jobs
- Capitalism
What 3 factors lead to crime according to the new right?
- inadequate socialisation and development of the underclass
- rational choices to commit crime
- individual biological differences
What does Hernnstein and Murray (1994) believe about factors for criminality?
They believe low intelligence leads to crime
How can New right Murray (1984) view on the underclass can be applied to deviance?
- Dependency on the state is a lifestyle choice that can be seen as deviant
- Single mothers under socialise their sons with no moral guidance increasing their likeliness to commit crime
- Fatherless teenage girls have children young to find a father figure creating a vicious cycle within the underclass
- Boys feel no need to be fathers
- Lack of value consensus develop values such as laziness, dependency and criminality
How does Macdonald (2008) criticise the new right?
She looked at 19 year old Malcolm from Teesside who has no academic qualifications and is frequently unemployed so he could class as the underclass. However, he wants a job to support his family contrasting Murray’s belief that members of the underclass are lazy
What is Clarke (1980) theory on rational crime?
Crime is committed based on the cost benefit analysis as they weigh up the potential gains (financial reward) against punishment
- Individuals turn to crime when they lack conventional means to achieve their desired goals (e.g. wealth and status)
- Effective policing, clear laws and swift punishments to deter offenders
- Strong family bonds, supportive networks and community sanctions can prevent individuals from engaging in deviant behavior
- Situational crime prevention involves modifying the environment ( improving lighting, better security measures and hostile architecture) to reduce crime opportunities
What is Hirschi’s bonds of attachment theory (1969)?
- Strong emotional ties are formed between individuals and groups that foster love, support and guidance adhering to conventional norms
- Investment in conventional activities and goals like education, work and family make crime less appealing
- Active participation in conventional activities like sports, school and hobbies creates positive identities and social networks reducing delinquency
- Internalisation of societal values and norms including believing in the legitimacy of the law steers individuals towards law - abiding behavior
What is Wilson and Kelling (1982) broken windows theory?
Broken windows and graffiti show a decline in social control, embolden criminals and increase the likelihood of serious crimes. Fixing these problems send a message of intolerance discouraging criminal actitivity
Strengths of right realist solutions for crime
- Attention to individual agency
- Increasing cost and punishments can deter criminals especially those wanting short - term gain
- Recognition of the lack of opportunity that contributes to crime
- Explain specific types of crime
Weaknesses of right realist causes for crime
- Reduces complex social issues to individual choice
- Doesn’t address the root cause of crime
- Victim - blaming
Deterrence as a solution
- Increasing the perceived costs of crime through harsher punishments like longer sentences and stricter enforcement
- Increasing arrest and conviction rates
- Targeting high - crime areas
Situational crime prevention as a solution
- Improving environmental design to reduce the opportunity for crime
- Target specific crime types like targeted patrols for property crimes or alcohol initiatives for public disorder
Strengthening social control as a solution
- Strengthening family bonds and community networks
- Promoting law - abiding values through education and public awareness campaigns
- Increasing police visibility
Give examples of right - realist policies
- Zero - tolerance policing (enforcing all laws)
- Three - strike laws: harsher sentences for repeat offenders
- Increased use of incarceration and private prisons
- The broke window policing involves proactive enforcement of minor offenses
Strengths of right realist solutions
- Crime rates can be reduced short - term
- Emphasis on well -defined laws and swift punishment can create a sense of order
- Promoting individual responsibility can allow positive decisions to be made
- Targeting high crime areas can maximize the impact of interventions
