Sociology - C&D - Theories - New right Flashcards
(37 cards)
What is new right closely linked with?
Right realism and functionalism with conservative views
Where does the conservative outlook of the new right stem from?
1979 and the establishment of Thatcherism
What does Thatcherism merge?
Conservatism and Liberalism
What perpetrators of crime did the new right focus on?
Crimes that are committed by the powerless (working class perpetrators)
What key concepts connected to crime does the New Right focus on?
“Culture of poverty “, “Underclass”
What are principles that all new right theories have in common?
Consensus, Inherent nature of mankind
What is the new rights ideas about consensus in relation to crime?
Law rules society, those who break them deserve punishment. New Right agrees with Functionalists in terms of consensus.
How do New right theories agree with functionalists (like Durkheim) in terms of consensus?
That cultural deprivation and a lack of consensus can lead to crime. People who lack core values and commitment to society might be more likely to commit crime.
What is the new rights ideas about the inherent nature of man kind in relation to crime?
Humans are naturally selfish, but people are aware of laws and morality
What period in time do New Right sociologists see as impactful towards the inherent nature of mankind in terms of crime and why?
“The swinging 60’s” has been deemed as responsible for destroying a safe and secure world whereby people lost control of their lives and people became more selfish so more likely to commit crime
What is the new rights ideas about rationality in relation to crime?
People are rational (and aware of consequences). If people commit crime when the benefits outweigh the costs, then the costs should be increased. This means heavier punishment
What is the new rights ideas about the role of the government in relation to crime?
The role of the government is that people can conduct their business with minimum intervention. In the 1960’s measures were taken in USA and UK to alleviate poverty and crime rates soared. Increasing wealth seems to increase crime rates. The government therefore cannot eliminate the causes of crime
What does Murray (1994) say about the role of the government?
crime increased due to welfare states generosity with benefits stopping people trying to get better jobs. culture of crime and dependency has emerged helping to develop the underclass. The “nanny state” means that the state provides everything that people need
What is the new rights ideas about the importance of community in relation to crime?
Informal controls help restrain people from committing crime. The loss of community can lead to more opportunities for people to commit crime. “Families without fathers” mean young males have no role model and are therefore more likely to commit crime.
What are the disadvantages of new rights ideas on crime?
- Ignores crimes from wealthy and powerful - It draws attention away from real causes of crime
Who would criticise the new rights ideas about crime and why?
Marxists like Croall would criticise these ideas
Why would marxists criticise New Right theories of crime?
The new right ignore crimes committed by the wealthy and therefore ignore white collar crime as they do not believe they are affected by the welfare state so are less likely to commit crimes. However, research has found that white collar crime is extensive and can be very damaging.
How does the New right theory draw attention away from the real causes of crime?
Crime is usually due to the social condition people are placed in (homeless people are not homeless due to a lack of morality). It could be argued cuts in welfare can cause crime to increase as people do not have the help they need and this opposes new right views.
What are the advantages of New right theories of crime?
It is a holistic theory and connects with radical criminology and right realism. It integrates social economic and political factors that can help contribute to why crime occurs
What two main concepts do Right Libertarians Hayek emphasise in connection to crime?
Freedom and individual responsibility
What are Right libertarians view of freedom as a concept in connection to crime?
People are free to become rich or poor moral or immoral
What are Right Libertarians view of individual responsibility as a concept in connection to crime?
Right Libertarians reject the Statist approach as it’s a individual’s responsibility to not commit crime.
What is the statist approach?
When a criminal commits a crime it is not their fault but the states fault to better their circumstances.
What do Right Libertarians believe about families without fathers in relation to crime?
Boys lack a role model and identities of family and work are destroyed and may be poverty stricken, but this isn’t an excuse for crime. Welfare state stops people from being responsible for themselves and should be reduced.
