Postmodernists

Question 1

Postmodernist view on C&D

Answer 1

• Takes a dialectic idealistic approach

- Core belief that inequality and exploitation through unequal power dynamics are responsible for society’s problems

Question 2

Henry and Milanovic, 1996

Answer 2

• Harms that crime both causes and is caused by . We feel harmed so we harm others.
• Harms of reduction: using power to cause immediate harm to a victim.
• Harms of repression: using your power to restrict or disrupt others progress.

Question 3

Which two postmodern theorists argue against structuralism?

Answer 3

• Katz (1988)

- Lyng (2005)

Question 4

Katz (1988)

Answer 4

• Crime can’t be studied by looking at social trends because in modern global society there’s no structure and everything’s constantly changing.
• We should look at individuals

Question 5

Edgework, Lyng (2005)

Answer 5

• Crime os seductive and exiting. Criminals commit crimes for the thrill of it.
• They want to be seen as ‘living on the edge’; making a career out of it.

Question 6

Strengths of postmodernism

Answer 6

• Provides a fuller picture of crime
• Offers explanations of non-utilitarian crimes like hate crimes
• Explains developments like surveillance tech becoming wide spread

Question 7

Drawbacks of postmodernism

Answer 7

• Doesn’t explain why most people don’t use their power for harm
• Ignores that many people have strong ideas of right and wrong (Functionalist)
• Just rediscovered labelling theory which said way before that crime was a social construction.