Left Realism

Question 1

What is the theory??

Answer 1

Realism

Question 2

What is the left realism theory??

Answer 2

• more liberal than right realists
• have put forward 3 explanations of crime :
  Relative deprivation
  Marginalisation
  Subculture

Question 3

What is relative deprivation??

Answer 3

• crime is not caused by poverty itself. But people know how deprived they are in relation to others. This may lead to crime as people feel resentment when it seems that others unfairly have more than them - leads to crimes such as shoplifting

Question 4

What is Marginalisation??

Answer 4

Certain groups such as unemployment youth and ethnic minority groups find themselves economically and politically on the edge of society. They may feel powerless as they are not listened to and have no power to influence society. As a result they may turn to crime such as vandalism or violence out of resentment or frustration

Question 5

What is subculture??

Answer 5

Some working class and minority group may form deviant subculture groups. These groups can conflict with one another and leads to crimes such as street crimes and burglary

Question 6

How does this explain criminal behaviour??

Answer 6

• left realists see society as divided due to capitalism and they look at crime on an individual level . E.g: why has that specific person turned to crime?
• state crime cannot be excused it’s a real problem that affects the disadvantage group of victims so needs to be dealt with
• they believe that other theories do not take crime seriously enough because they’re too theoretical
• left realists suggests we need practical explanations of crime that offer solutions