Left-Realist perspective

Question 1

What do realists focus on?

Answer 1

Realists focus on the reality of crime - what’s actually happening, the impact of crime on victims and local communities, and the development of practical policies to reduce crime.

Question 2

What is the background of the Left-Realist perspective?

Answer 2

Developed by Young in the 1980’s to create practical solutions to a growing crime rate - it is a real problem which affects the disadvantaged.

Question 3

What are the Left-Realists causes of crime?

Answer 3

1. Relative deprivation.
2. Marginalisation.
3. Subcultures.

Question 4

How does relative deprivation cause crime?

Answer 4

Relative deprivation - media raises expectations for material goods, and according the young, the combination of relative deprivation and individualism causes crime by a pursuit of self-interest.

Question 5

How does marginalisation cause crime?

Answer 5

Marginalisation - those who are marginalised lack clear goals and organisations to represent their interests, so they turn to crime.

Question 6

How do subcultures cause crime?

Answer 6

Subcultures - criminal subcultures subscribe to the goals of society but legitimate pathways are blocked so they use crime to fulfill them.

Question 7

What is the Left-Realist view on tackling crime?

Answer 7

Must improve policing and control, and deal with deeper structural causes.

Policies include: ASBOs to protect the vulnerable.

Question 8

What is the evaluation of the Left-Realist perspective?

Answer 8

1. Only addresses symptoms rather than causes.
2. Assumes crime only takes place when value consensus breaks down.
3. Relative deprivation cannot explain all crime.