⬅️ Left Realism

Question 1

Left Realism and Crime:

Lea & Young - political outlook

Answer 1

Left wing, socialist. See inequality in
capitalist society as root cause of
crime. Crime reduction by making
society fairer and more equal

Question 2

Left Realism:

Cause: Relative deprivation

Answer 2

The media and growing inequality make people unable to afford the lifestyle that is promoted to them. Some turn to crime to gain what they think they should have.

Question 3

Left Realism:

Cause: Subculture

Answer 3

Criminal subcultures share society’s
materialistic goals – legitimate
opportunities to achieve them are
blocked so they turn to crime.

Question 4

Left Realism:

Cause: Marginalisation

Answer 4

Marginalised groups (e.g. unemployed youths) have no goals or organisations to represent their interests. Their frustration leads them into non-utilitarian crime

Question 5

Left Realism - strengths

Answer 5

• Draws attention to importance of
  poverty, inequality and relative
  deprivation as causes of crime
• Draws attention to reality of street
  crime especially effects on victims
  from deprived groups

Question 6

Left Realism - limitations

Answer 6

• Henry & Milovanovic: Fails to explain crimes of the powerful
• Over-predicts working class crime.
  Not all poor people turn to cri
• Focus on inner-city high-crime areas makes crime appear to be a greater problem than it is