left realism Flashcards
who are the main sociologists associated with left realism?
Lea and Young
why did left realism develop?
as a response to traditional marxist and neo-marxist approaches, which were accused of not taking WC crime and victimization seriously, as well as providing no practical policies to reduce crime
how do left realists explain crime?
-accept that structural inequalities, social conditions and perceptions of injustice are the main causes of crime
-focus primarily on WC crime and victimization, not paying much attention to white-collar/corporate crime
where did left realists get their ifno from?
victim surveys, found that crime was a serious problem than needed policies to tackle it
found the WC suffered the consequences of crime the most
what are the three key concepts put forward by Lea and Young as to why people turn to crime?
1-relative deprivation - isn’t actual deprivation that makes people turn to crime but whether or not they see themselves as deprived in comparison to others, can generate resentment
2-marginalization - some groups are politically and economically ‘on the edge’ of society, facing social exclusion (eg thru unemployment), can lead to them expressing their frustration
3-subculture - WC deviant subcultures emerge as group solutions, can act as motivators of crime
what is meant by ‘late modernity’?
-Young
-modern societies are media saturated , and everyone partakes in consumer culture (constant exposure to consumer goods), raising expectations of what a good life is, but some can’t afford to partake in it, causing frustration
what is meant by a ‘bulimic society’?
-Young
-people gorge themselves on media of expensive consumer lifestyles, then have to vomit out their expectations due to their social and economic status
-generates resentment and anger
what did lewis et al 2011 say about the riots in august 2011?
motivated by the desire to take what was otherwise denied to them in a bulimic society
what are the three features Young says intensifies the sense of relative deprivation?
-growing individualism (less concern for the welfare of others)
-weakening of informal controls (eg the family breaking up, no longer give support)
-growing economic inequality and economic change (gap between the wealthiest and poorest has grown, rewards at the top gained through participation in a global economy)
what is the ‘toxic mix that generates crime’?
-life of young people is marked by greater risk, more uncertainty, and less informal control over their behaviour
-no outlets for anger leads to ‘edgework’ (Lyng) - thrill-seeking / risk-taking behaviours, can include exploring the boundaries between criminal and deviant behaviour
what is the ‘square of crime’? list the 4 features
-Lea and Young
-inter-relationships between 4 elements, and how they influence crime
-social structural influences and formal control by the state
-the public and the extent of informal social control
-offenders
-victims
what is meant by ‘social structural influences and formal control by the state’ as a factor of the square of crime?
-how crime is defined and its social causes
-how law enforcement is carried out
-decisions on whether an act is labelled as criminal or not
-styles of policing
what is meant by ‘the public and the extent of informal social control’ as an element of the square of crime?
-how do people react to crime in communities
-are offenders condemned
-do the public report offences
-do the public trust the police
what is meant by ‘offenders’ as an element of the square of crime?
-what does the act have to do with the offender?
-why do they chose to offend?
-do they feel marginalized?
-to what extent are the choices to commit crimes driven by external forces?
what is meant by ‘victims’ as an element of the square of crime?
-why do people become victims?
-what do they do about it?
-how do victims view offenders?
-could the police help them?
