New Left Realism

Question 1

How do they differ

Answer 1

Police not angels or devils
Do accept statistics
See society as unequal capitalist
Reformists rather than revolutionary

Question 2

What do NLR mean by saying they are ‘reformist not revolutionary’ sociologists

Answer 2

Try reduce crime using practical strategies e.g. Open more leisure centres

Question 3

Why did NLR develop and originate from

Answer 3

Developed 80s response to rising crime rate and lack practical solutions and influence Right Realism of Conservatism gov policy

Question 4

Why do New Left Realists criticise Marx

Answer 4

Being locked away in their ‘ivory towers’ failing to recognise official statistics and victim surveys prove we have a problem with black and white street crime, they do reflect certain degree reality

Question 5

Why do NRL challenge radical criminologists

Answer 5

Romanticising w.c. crime, labelling: ignoring real victim of crime

Question 6

Key concepts

Answer 6

Relative deprivation
Marginalisation
Subculture

Question 7

Who researches in to NLR approach

Answer 7

Lea and Young

Question 8

How does relative deprivation lead to crime

Answer 8

Feel deprived - more likely resort to crime obtain what feel entitled to
Today whilst better off more aware of relative deprivation due to the media leading w.c who cannot afford material possessions (media part superstructure)

Question 9

What other areas of crime and deviance does relative deprivation link to

Answer 9

Mertons strain theory

Nightingales study

Question 10

Outline Nightingales study to support relative deprivation

Answer 10

Black youths Philadelphia wanted the American dream but rejected conventional means and turned to illegal means as were economically, educationally and politically excluded from mainstream society

Question 11

How does Mertons strain theory link

Answer 11

Want American dream

Culturally included but structurally excluded

Question 12

Which NLR conducted a study in to relative deprivation

Answer 12

Young

Question 13

What was Youngs research

Answer 13

In to ghettos in USA, showed ‘full immersion in American Dream: a culture hooked on Gucci, BMW, Nikes’ = opportunities are blocked so resort to street crime

Question 14

How do subcultures lead to violence

Answer 14

Those most likely turn to crime developed own subculture as strategy cope relative deprivation. More like commit if with other likeminded individuals

Question 15

What other area of crime and deviance is NLR subculture influenced by

Answer 15

Subcultural theorists

Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin

Question 16

How do subcultural theorists link to subcultures NLR

Answer 16

Blocked opportunities and reaction of subcultures result failure to achieve mainstream goals

Question 17

Whose research supports subcultures

Answer 17

Bourgeois

Pitts

Question 18

What was Bourgeois research

Answer 18

El Barrio New York

Question 19

How does Bourgeois El Barrio study support subcultures

Answer 19

Noticed a whole ‘alternate economy’ of opportunities in drugs trade

Question 20

What is Pitts study

Answer 20

Gangs inner London

Question 21

How does Pitts study support subcultures

Answer 21

Gangs inner city London feel no choice but to join due to risk to them and their families

Question 22

How does marginalisation lead to crime

Answer 22

Dont have a voice: no representation
Fringe of society: feelings hostility and resentment
Cant use power/political means to improve: express frustration through crime
Breakdown in communities: between police and community
Return to consensual policing !!!!!!

Question 23

Who are NLR influenced by

Answer 23

Hirschi

Question 24

What does the influence of Hirschi develop

Answer 24

Belied break laws when societal bonds are weak, people rational in terms of actions and choice: weigh up costs and benefits
Consider 4 types of control

Question 25

What are the 4 types of control

Answer 25

Attachment
Commitment
Involvement
Belief

Question 26

How does Attachment control behaviour

Answer 26

Committed to family, this is threatened if involve in criminality

Question 27

How does Commitment control behaviour

Answer 27

Invested years e.g in to a career, lose it all if involved in crime

Question 28

How does Involvement control behaviour

Answer 28

Actively brought up in community life, respect and reputation lost if involve in crime

Question 29

How does Belief control behaviour

Answer 29

Brought up strongly to follow committed laws, discipline and respect

Question 30

What are the 2 types of solutions

Answer 30

Move back to consensual policing

Social and economic crime prevention strategies

Question 31

How is moving back to Consensual Policing a solution

Answer 31

Moved to military policing: ‘mobilisation of by-standers’ those not involved in police see them as ‘alien’ force
Police and communities need work together
Acknowledge: some areas over/under policed

Question 32

What are social and crime prevention strategies

Answer 32

Sure Start, VOMs, PACT
Address social inequalities: improved leisure facilities, better housing standards, reduce unemployment, victim support
Perry Pre-School Project

Question 33

What is the Perry Pre-School Project

Answer 33

Every $1 spent on if, saved $17 that would have been spent on welfare/prisons

Question 34

What does Tony Blair criticise this view

Answer 34

Accused adopting more NR strategies e.g. ASBOs, tagging, curfews

Question 35

Positives of NLR view

Answer 35

Offers causes and solutions
Looks at square of crime: interplay victims, offenders, state/police, public all play a part
Pays attention to victims and problems street crime
Neither glorifies or pathologies the police - unlike NR and Trad Marx

Question 36

Criticisms of the NLR view

Answer 36

Whats new? Rehashes Merton and subcultural theory

Insufficient attention to white collar crime