Left Realism

Question 1

What does left realism focus on?

Answer 1

The reality of crime: real problems and real solutions.

Lea and Young = society as deeply unequal, but criticise Marx for justifying WC crime. Practical strategies to prevent crime.

Question 2

Causes, Relative Deprivation:

Answer 2

Gap between what they expect to have and what they can actually get, gorge on images of luxury due to advertising/consumerist culture (bulimic society, YOUNG), leads to more crime trying to attain this.

Economic exclusion and cultural inclusion.

Question 3

Causes, Marginalisation:

Answer 3

Lack both clear goals and organisations to represent their interests. E.g: Unemployed youth. Leads to a sense of frustration, expresses this through crime due to lack of political power.

Question 4

Causes, Subcultures:

Answer 4

Arise as a response to problems such as blocked avenues of success. However, they are not completely separate from mainstream society. E.g: also place a high value on material wealth.

Crime related to the economic structure of society.

Question 5

Tackling crime:

Answer 5

We must improve policing/control whilst dealing with deeper structural causes. Recognise that both the offenders and victims of crime are found in those with high levels of marginality and exclusion.

Question 6

Solutions = focus on structural causes:

Answer 6

• To improve welfare: creating jobs, access to education, fair wages, etc.
• Policies to reduce cultural and material deprivation. E.g: Sure Start.

Evaluation = would be costly, too ‘soft’ on crime, generalises deprived communities.

Question 7

Solutions = community based policing:

Answer 7

• Build a positive relationship between the police and the public, police get to know likely offenders. Access to information.
• PACT meetings (Police and Community Together), can identify issues that worry people, combat them.

Evaluation = doesn’t address corporate crime, only focusing on street crime, deflects attention from practical prevention methods.

Question 8

Solutions = rehabilitation:

Answer 8

• Youth groups = give young people a place to socialise and a support network.
• Community Service, Victim-offender mediation to reduce the likelihood of someone reoffending.

Evaluation = offers realistic solutions, implies that the victims are responsible for taking steps not to become victims.