Left Realism

Question 1

Left realist

Answer 1

Need to produce practical solutions and influence right realism on gov policy.

See society as unequal and capitalist like Marxist.

LR are reformist rather than revolutionary socialists - believe in gradual social change not violent.

Believe wee need explanation for crime so we get practical strategies to reduce crime.

Question 2

LR taking crime seriously

Answer 2

Traditional Marxist = they focus on crimes of the powerful and neglect w/c crime and its effect

Neo Marxist = romanticise W/C Criminals as robin hoods (steal from rich as resistance to capitalism) but W/C mainly victimise other w/c ppl not rich

Labelling theorists = see wc criminals as victims of discriminatory labelling by social control agents but neglect real victim aka w/c suffer at hand of criminals

Question 3

Causes of crime - lea and young

Answer 3

1) relative deprivation (media/advert/unfair/consumerism)
2) marginalisation (lack goals/resentment/frustration/try improve status- express anger through crime)
3) subculture (collective solution for deprivation)

Question 4

Young’s cultural inclusion and economic exclusion

Answer 4

Media saturated society promotes cultural inclusion = even poor have access to media’s materialistic messages/emphasis on leisure/consumption and immediate gratification for good life

However poor systematically excluded from opportunities to gain wealth and success - denied option to achieve = economic exclusion

Question 5

Policing and control

Answer 5

Police have to rely on military policing = using random stop and search – alienates communities

Argue police need to improve relationship with local communities and involving public in policing policies

Crime control cannot be left to the police alone need to include local council and voluntary organisations and public

Question 6

Tackling structural causes of crime

Answer 6

Must become more tolerant of diversity and cease stereotyping whole group of people as criminals

Question 7

LR and gov policy

Answer 7

New Labour stance of “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime” eg Labours you deal for unemployed you +their anti truanting policies to exclude youth at risk of offending

Question 8

LR VS RR

Answer 8

RR = neo conservatives + blame individuals lack of self control + prioritise social order and touch stance against offenders

LR= reformist socialists and blame structural inequalities and relative deprivation + prioritise justice through democratic policing and reforms for equality