Left Realism Flashcards
How do realism theories differ from labelling theory?
Labelling sees crime as socially constructed - realists see crime as a real problem, especially for its victims and they propose practical policies to reduce crime
What are Left Realists approaches?
- Want to improve society - reformist socialists
- Promote equality
- Recognize that victims are often disadvantaged groups
What is Relative Deprivation?
How deprived someone feels in relation to others and feel others have unfairly more, they may resort to crime to obtain what they feel entitled to - media has caused an increase
Relative Deprivation Examples (A02)
Media is a lot more involved as everyone can now see peoples daily lives in comparison to theirs - ignorance in the 50’s - Cristiano Ronaldo wage and Kylie Jenner
Relative Deprivation A03
Right realists argue that poverty is not the cause of crime - they blame poor socialization in families who have been given too much support by the government - dependency culture - no incentive to work is passed down
What is Marginalization (Lea and Young)?
Unemployed youth - have no organization to represent them and no clear goals - just a sense of powerlessness, resentment and frustration which they express through violence
What do Lea and Young argue (Marginalization)?
Late modern society - problem of working class crime - greater job insecurity, higher unemployment and harsher welfare policies - fuel a sense of marginalisation
Marginalisation A02 Examples
Teachers and Barristers both protested for a higher wage and have received a pay rise - aren’t marginalised
unemployed youth - protested and were seen as aggressive and put aside - marginalised
Marginalistation A03
- LR has drawn attention to the reality of street crime and its effects, especially on disadvantaged groups :)
What are the 3 Left realist explanations of crime?
- Relative Deprivation
- Marginalisation
- Subcultures
What are the 2 Left realist solutions to reduce crime?
- Reducing inequality
- Democratic policing
What is Reducing Inequality?
Underlying cause of crime - social inequality
More money into education
Invest more in the welfare state
Poorest are more likely to fall into subcultures and commit crime
Reducing Inequality A02 Examples
Sure Start Centers - offer discounted food/free food schemes
Free childcare/playground equipment
Being helped makes them feel secure - less crime
Reducing Inequality A03
Right realists - the help and support is rewarding criminal behaviour - won’t deter people from crime - dependency culture
What is Democratic policing (Kinsey, Lea and Young)?
Police rely on public but are losing support - must then rely on military policing such as ‘swamping’ an area
Police must be influenced by the needs of the public (the victims) and win their trust back
Democratic Policing A02
Community support officers (PCSO’s)
Democratic Policing A03
Effectively targeting WC communities to ensure WC criminals are caught and punished - Marxists argue this is selective law enforcement - benefits RC
