Left Realism

Question 1

Left Realism

Introduction

Answer 1

• Like Marxism, left realists see society as an unequal capitalist one.
• They believe in gradual change rather than the violent overthrow of capitalism as a way to achieve greater equality.

Question 2

Left Realism

Taking Crime Seriously

Answer 2

• Idea that crime is a real problem that particularly affects the disadvantaged groups who are its main victims.
• They accuse other sociologists of not taking crime seriously.

Question 3

Left Realism

Aetiological Crisis

Answer 3

• Recognising that, after 1950, there was a real increase in crime - especially working classes.
• Young argues this led to an aetiological crisis for theories of crime.
• For example, critical criminology and labelling theory claim the increase in the statistics was just a social construction and not a reality.

Question 4

Left Realism

Local Victim Surveys

Answer 4

• Local victim surveys show that disadvantaged groups have a higher risk of becoming victims.
• For example, unskilled workers are twice as likely to be burgled than other people.
• Therefore, disadvantaged individuals have a greater fear of crime (e.g. women may be afraid to go out at night).
• At the same time, these people are more reluctant to report crimes against them.
• Police are often reluctant to deal with crimes such as domestic violence, rape or racist attacks.

Question 5

Left Realism

Relative Deprivation

Answer 5

• Crime has its roots in deprivation, but it is not directly responsible for crime.
• Living standards have risen since 1950 but so has crime.
• Relative deprivation refers to how deprived someone feels in comparison to others.
• This can lead to crime when people resent others and resort to crime to gain what they ‘are entitled to’.
• To left realists, increasing individualism is causing the disintegration of families and communities.

Question 6

Left Realism

Subculture

Answer 6

• To left realists, a subculture is a group’s collective solution to relative deprivation.
• Some may turn to crime to close the deprivation gap.
• However, criminal subcultures still subscribe to the values of mainstream society (materialism).

Question 7

Left Realism

Marginalisation

Answer 7

• Marginalised groups lack both goals and organisation to represent their interests.
• Groups such as the unemployed and young are marginalised.
• There is no organisation that represents them and they have a sense of resentment and frustration.
• They may express their frustration through criminal activities (e.g. violence and rioting).

Question 8

Left Realism

Late Modernity

Answer 8

• Young argues that instability, insecurity and exclusion in society make the problem worse.
• Deindustrialisation has increased unemployment, especially for young pople and ethnic minorities.
• This destabilised family and community life, leading to greater inequality and the spread of the free market values increasing individualism.

Question 9

Left Realism

Exclusion and Crime

Answer 9

• Young’s contrast between cultural inclusion and economic exclusion suggests society creates crime by setting cultural goals.
• Meanwhile, it denies people the opportunity to achieve them by legitimate means.

Question 10

Left Realism: Crime Prevention

Intervention

Answer 10

• Identifying groups at risk of committing crime.
• Offering training and/or education to give them the opportunity to find employment.
• This makes them less likely to reoffend in future as they can gain goods legitimately.

Question 11

Left Realism: Crime Prevention

Community-Based

Answer 11

• Improving leisure facilities and improving living standards for the poor.
• ## Reducing unemployment by creating jobs with prospects.