Right and Left Realism

Question 1

What is the realist view of crime

Answer 1

Realist explanations of crime and deviance have a very different view of crime compared to Marxists. They treat it as a real and serious problem in society which needs practical solutions

Question 2

Right Realism - Wilson

Answer 2

His first solid point about the causes of crime is that there is no link between crime and poverty.

He indicated that during times when the USA was prosperous, crime increased but did not increase in periods of recession.

He also suggested the majority of crime is committed by young men as they are not effectively socialised into conforming to societies norms and values

Question 3

Right Realism - Clarke

Answer 3

Rational choice theory - these types of individuals take a rational decision to commit crime based on a cost benefit analysis and they are undeterred by a lenient legal system

Question 4

Right Realism - Murray

Answer 4

His main argument is that increased crime is brought about by the growth of the underclass which has been fuelled by the welfare state. SPF - single mothers - raise antisocial, criminal men due to faulty socialisation

Question 5

EVALUATION - right realism and crime prevention

Answer 5

STRENGTHS
- treats crime as a real issue rather than a theoretical one
- practical solutions

WEAKNESS
- oversimplifies impact of poverty
- irrational crimes?
- overemphasises street crime
- crime prevention has no impact - target hardening, capital punishment, surveillance no impact in USA
- crime preventions are inhumane

Question 6

Left realist criminology view of crime

Answer 6

Suggest right realists misunderstand the causes of crime. They suggest crime is a real problem and working class crime against working class people is a big problem.

Lea and Young suggest the true understanding of crime comes from an understanding of how the community, police force and offenders interact.

Question 7

What do left realists believe are the main causes of crime

Answer 7

• social exclusion
• relative deprivation
• marginalisation
• criminal subcultures

Question 8

Left realists causes of crime - Young

Answer 8

Since the 1970s the decline of manufacturing has increased relative deprivation, this has affected lower wc males particularly African Americans in the US and African Caribbeans in the UK. These are groups with highest offending rates.

The problem is made worse by a media saturated capitalist society promoting cultural inclusion . They cannot achieve the rewards capitalism promotes and this increases relative deprivation - leading to crim subcultures

Question 9

Left Realism - Policing

Answer 9

Young has suggested that in affected communities with low clear up rates and a decline in public confidence leads communities to be reluctant in assisting the police

If the police have no information from the public they will turn to military style policing such as swamping the area or random stop and searches which causes further resentment of the police

Question 10

Left realism - Reducing Crime

Answer 10

A multi-disciplinary approach is needed - communities need good jobs, decent housing the community is proud of and a reduction in perceived inequalities. Local authorities need to coordinate their efforts

OR having a democratic and accountable police force who can respond to the needs of the community

Question 11

EVALUATION - Left Realism

Answer 11

STRENGTHS
- takes a serious approach to crime and a practical approach to dealing with it
- it is a very rigorous approach

WEAKNESSES
- the research its based on lacks validity (quantitative victim surveys)
- too focused on street crime
- ignores white collar crime