left realist views of crime

Question 1

some brief causes of crime according to left realists?

Answer 1

relative deprivation, marginalisation, subcultures

Question 2

who talks about relative deprivation causing crime?

Answer 2

lea and young

Question 3

what do lea and young say about relative deprivation (left realist)

Answer 3

people FEEL deprived in relation to others, may resort to crime to obtain what they feel they’re entitles to.
the poor see material messages but lack opportunities to gain wealth.
can explain m/c crime too as they may feel relatively deprived to peers

Question 4

why do lea and young think there is differences in crime between black carribbean and asian groups?

Answer 4

black carribbean FEEL more relatively deprived than asian groups so commit crime whereas asian people tend to have more traditional and cultural beliefs

Question 5

what do left realists say about subcultures?

Answer 5

subculture is solution to relative deprivation, some subcultures don’t lead to crime eg religion.

Question 6

what do lea and young say about criminal subcultures? (left realist)

Answer 6

they subscribe to material goas but have blocked opportunities so turn to crime. only one amongst many solutions to relative deprivation.

Question 7

what do lea and young say about marginalisation? (left realists)

Answer 7

unemployed youth are marginalised, no one to represent them, no clear goals, just powerlessness and resentment. due to greater job insecurity more sense of marginalisation. may use violence/riots as no unions

Question 8

briefly list some left realist solutions for crime?

Answer 8

reducing inequality, community policing, multi agency working, pact, neighbourhood watch

Question 9

explain how reducing social inequality can prevent crime.

Answer 9

structural changes which tackle discrimination and inequality.
new labour’s approach ‘tough on crime, tough on causes of crime’ - aimed to help those on benefits into work.

Question 10

how can community policing prevent crime?

Answer 10

lea and young argue current policing strategies are not effective. police don’t spend enough time investigating -underfunded. public confidence is low and unwilling to co-operate, making police aggressive. should build relationship with community eg at fairs, need multiagency approach to create community cohesion.

Question 11

what is a multi-agency approach?

Answer 11

involving everyone in fight against crime, not just cjs but education/social services too.

Question 12

how do left realist strategies differ to right realist strategies?

Answer 12

tend to be longer term and focus on tackling root cause of offending.

Question 13

what is the square of crime and who came up with it?

Answer 13

young, lee and matthew - number of factors are important to understand how they work together to understand crime crime.
state - community style policing, constant presence.
informal social control - community such as fear of rejection reduce crime.
offender- avoid romanticising criminal by explaining behaviour in terms of marginalisation, relative dep and subcultures.
victim - fear of crime influences behaviour. victim surveys.

Question 14

ao3 of left realism?

Answer 14

focusing on crime in inner city areas exaggerates it.
ignores m/c crimes which harms w/c.
relative dep similar to merton’s strain theory.
shows reality of street crime and its effects.

Question 15

what is PACT (left realism)

Answer 15

police and community together, locals can share issues worrying them.

Question 16

ao3 of left realist solutions?

Answer 16

recognises that both offender and victim of crimes are ususally marginalised.
emphasise need to tackle material/cultural deprivation.
may be too soft on crime - ignores free will of victim to commit crime.
most w/c don’t turn to crime.
ignore more practical preventions.