Left Realism Explanations of Crime

Question 1

What is their overall perspective of crime?

Answer 1

Accept the reality of crime but do not view it as a revolutionary activity of the oppressed.
Recognise that crime is a problem that exists in all societies not just capitalist.

Question 2

Lea & Young: 3 Aspects of Crime

Answer 2

3 main causes of crime and these are why young WC and black males are associated with crime:
Relative Deprivation= Marginalisation = Subcultures

Question 3

Lea & Young: Relative Deprivation

Answer 3

WC youth feel relatively deprived when compared with the life chances of the MC
Frustration from this disparity between expectations and the reality of their lifestyle leads to feelings of RD
Individualism weakens the information social controls usually excercised by family + community
Resulting in criminal activity

Question 4

Stuart Hall: Supporting Relative Deprivation

Answer 4

The reality for many young WC white and black males is a choice of unemployment, training schemes or ‘white man’s shit work’
They feel unfairly denied the ‘glittering prizes’ offered to others- this can develop into strategies which can involve deviant/criminal behaviour

Question 5

Jock Young: Developing RD- Veritgo

Answer 5

Veritigo of late modernity: crime in contemporary society is not a rational choice, it is a result of anger fuelled by economic insecurity + deprivation. Low level jobs/insecure employment= status frustration

Question 6

Jock Young: Developing RD- Social Bullimia

Answer 6

Social Bullimia: most members of society are included culturally (have same values and goals) promoted by the media but are excluded from full participation because of economic exclusion.

Question 7

Lea & Young: Marginalisation

Answer 7

Describes the process when certain groups find themselves on the edge of society
White+ black WC youth often feel alienated by education. unemployment, low-wages and are targeted by the police due to being negatively labelled in education.

Question 8

Lea & Young: Subcultures

Answer 8

Some young wc people who experience feelings of RD and Marginalisation develop deviant subcultures as they react to the perception that society does not value them.
Black youth subculture has high material expectations and aspirations. Black youth is closely enmeshed in values of consumption: this is why they engage in crime because of blocked opportunities.

Question 9

Young & Matthews: Square of Crime

Answer 9

(Diagram in Booklet) NEED ALL 4 IN ORDER FOR CRIME
State: an agent of formal social control, decides the laws,. The influence of the police and the effects of different styles of policing on crime levels.
Society- the influence of public and media attitudes define criminal acts. An agent of informal social control- the fear of stigmatisation from peer groups/fam is a powerful detterent of crime.
Victim: must also be considered as they decide whether a crime has taken place
Offender- vital to consider why people offend.

Question 10

Solutions to crime:

Answer 10

1. De-marginalise offenders providing opportunities and community sentencing.
2. Use deterrance through citizen groups
3. Make minimal use of prisons
4. Transform police force into a police service working closely with communities.