Left realism

Question 1

Kinsey, Lea and Young -

Policing problem

Answer 1

Military policing - stop and search

Alienates certain communities

Question 2

Lea and Young -
Origins of crime -
Relative deprivation

Answer 2

People feel resentment that others have unfairly have more than them.
Paradox that today’s society is more prosperous and crime ridden. Although people are better off, they are now more aware of relative deprivation due to media - rises people’s expectations for material possessions.

Young - ‘the lethal combination is relative deprivation and individualism’. It causes crime by encouraging the pursuit of self interest at the expense of others.

Question 3

Lea and Young -
Origins of crime -
Marginalisation

Answer 3

Lack clear goals and organisation to represent their interests.
Groups such as workers have clear goals and organisations put pressure on employers and politicians - no need to resort to violence to achieve their goals.
Unemployed youths are marginalised. They have no organisation to represent them and no clear goals, just resentment and frustration.. Being powerless they use political means to improve there position - express frustration through crime.

Question 4

Lea and Young -
Origins of crime -
Subcultures

Answer 4

Similar to views of Merton, Cloward and Ohlin and Cohen.
Subculture is group collective solution to problem of relative deprivation.
Different groups may produce different subcultural solutions to this problem.
Weber - theodicy of disprivilege’ - turning to religion as it offers spiritual comfort and explanation to their situation. Religious subcultures may encourage respectability and conformity.

Question 5

Government policy

Answer 5

Similarities with New Labour - ‘tough on crime, tough of causes of crime’.
New Deal.