Left realism

Question 1

What is left realism?

Answer 1

it looks at the politics of crime control.
It retains human agency while considering socioeconomic factors.
Big movements during the 80’s e.g. feminists crime

Question 2

Hall et al and policing the crisis 1978

Answer 2

Looks at race/class in relation to politics, they are a victim of capitalist culture.
Claims that oppressive police tactics and lack of police responsibility are part of the problem.

Question 3

The four main aspects of left realism

Answer 3

The attempt to develop a more accurate picture of local crime and its impact
A focus on causal explanations of crime
Relationships between offenders, victims and formal informal controls.
Developing realistic policies aimed at reducing the frequency and the impact of victimisation.

Question 4

Governments current solution to crime

Answer 4

Grants police more power, stop and search etc.
Knife crime prevention tactics.
Impose curfews and other restrictions

Question 5

Limitations of left realism

Answer 5

It doesn’t focus on the political sources of crime.
Over focus on crime and victims within poor communities.
Has an incomplete explanation of crime as a cause and just looks at the processes.

Question 6

Left realist critique of previous approaches

Answer 6

Previous approaches are considered Utopian, crime will be solved through the changing of social conditions.
Puts doctrine over peoples realities - overlooks experiences and perceptions.
Romanticism - most crime isn’t a form of primitive rebellion.
Naive anti-empiricism - overlooks the impact of victimisation.