C&D REALISM

Question 1

Realist Views;

Answer 1

Crime is a real problem that must be tackled, not just a social construct. Seen a real increase in crime and therefore trying to find solutions for it.

Question 2

Right Realism

Answer 2

Favouring punishment over rehabilitation they have a “get tough” approach - New Right and Neo-liberal.

Question 3

Wilson and Herrnstein

Answer 3

Causes of Crime;
1. Biologioical differences
2. Socialisation and the Underclass (Charles Murray)
3. Rational Choice Theory - where the offender weighs up the pros and cons of committing a crime. We have free will and the power of reason. (Clarke)

Question 4

Felson

Answer 4

Routine Action Theory, (RCT)
Crimes must have a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian.

Question 5

Solutions to tackling crime.

Answer 5

1. Wilson and Kelling’s broken windows
2. Zero Tolerance policies - New York
3. Target hardening

Question 6

Left Realists

Answer 6

Focus on the problem that disadvantaged groups are victims of crime. They also see crime as a real problem and seek to find solutions.

Question 7

Aetiological Crisis

Answer 7

Crisis in the explanation for the real increase in crime. Jock Young states that the increase is socially constructed from increased reporting or increased labelling of the poor.

Question 8

Lea and Young

Answer 8

Causes of crime
1. Relative Deprivation
2. Subculture
3. Marginalisation

Question 9

Relative Deprivation

Answer 9

Lea and Young say crime has its roots in deprivation.
Now a paradox, prosperous bur crime ridden.
Individualism; causes crime as we act in self interest.

Question 10

Subcultures

Answer 10

A groups collective response to the problem of relative deprivation.
Young identified in USA Ghettos; full immersion into American Dream and therefore consumer goods.

Question 11

Marginalisation

Answer 11

A group that lacks clear goals and organisations to represent their interests. LR believe this is Unemployed youths who feel powerless and frustrated and therefore commit crime.

Question 12

Second Aetiological Crisis

Answer 12

Young; 1990s fall in crime.
The rise of anti social behaviour.
Eg; creation of ASBOS
- blurring the boundries between crime
- subjective definition
- flexibility

Question 13

Left Realist solution to crime.

Answer 13

Must improve policing and deal with structural causes of crime.

Question 14

Policing and Control

Answer 14

Kinsley and Lea & Young
Improving relationships between the public and the police as 90% of info comes from the public.
Military Policing eg: stop and search

Question 15

Tackling the structual causes of crime

Answer 15

Young
Eg: Tackling discrimination, providing more jobs and improving housing.