Realism Theories

Question 1

Left Realists

Answer 1

left realists are reformist socialists, they want to improve society.
left wing,
promote equality,
like marxists, they are reformists

Question 2

Right Realists

Answer 2

right realists share a conservative, New right political outlook.
right wing
support zero tolerance stance on crime,
very influential in USA & UK,
reject structural factors like poverty

Question 3

why do RR believe crime happens?
first explanation:

Answer 3

Biological differences - Wilson & Hernstein argue crime is caused by a combination of social and biological factors.
biological traits make some people predisposed to crime, e.g. heightened aggression.

Question 4

Biological Differences AO3:

Answer 4

(support) right realism

Question 5

RR
second explanation:

Answer 5

Inadequate Socialisation - according to Murray, the nuclear family is being undermined by the welfare state which is a perverse incentive to encourage SPFs.
those part of the underclass fail to socialise their children into shared norms and values - leading to more SPFs.

Question 6

Inadequate Socialisation AO3:

Answer 6

ignores wider structural factors of crime such as the unequal distribution of power and wealth.
Feminists would argue that this reinforces patriarchy and women

Question 7

RR
third explanation:

Answer 7

Clarke assumes individuals are rational beings with free will. deciding to commit crime is a choice based on a rational calculation of the risk and the reward.
the crime rate is high because the cost is low.

Question 8

Rational Choice Theory AO3:

Answer 8

It overstates the offenders’ rationality and how they make cost benefit calculations before committing a crime.
does not explain violent crime.

Question 9

Felsons routine activity theory (RR):

Answer 9

for crime to occur, there must be a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian.

Question 10

Felson’s routine activity theory AO3:

Answer 10

RR explanations for crime are contradictory - how can someone be a rational actor choosing to commit crime yet have thier behaviour determied

Question 11

ZTP - Broken Windows (RR solution)

Answer 11

Wilson and Kellings argue we should keep neighbourhoods neat and tidy to prevent crime. No deviance will be tolerated - it will instantly be removed from local communities. This targets people involved in low level crimes.
This should reduce crime activity and deviant behaviour.
This approach worked jn New York in the late 80s and successfully reduced low level and professional crime.

Question 12

ZTP - broken windows AO3:

Answer 12

Labelling theorists argue that local communities and people are targeted due to typifications the police have about these groups. This can be seen from official statistics which show black males being 7 times more likely to be stopped and searched.

Question 13

Zero tolerance policing

Answer 13

Police should control the r streets so law abiding citizens feel safe.

Question 14

Zero tolerance policing AO3:

Answer 14

Marxists argue this focuses on more low level petty ‘street crimes’ . The police are selectively enforcing WC and punishing them only.

Question 15

Target Hardening

Answer 15

Making the consequence much higher for all crime to prevent crime as people are less Motivated to commit the crime.

Question 16

Target Hardening AO3:

Answer 16

This results in the displacement of crime rather than preventing it.

Question 17

LR first solution to crime

Answer 17

Relative Deprivation - crime has its roots to relative deprivation. When they feel others unfairly have more than them they may resort to violence to have the same lifestyle.
The lower class have social media where people show off their luxury lifestyles - this fuels a sense of relative deprivation.

Question 18

Relative Deprivation AO3:

Answer 18

RR argue that poverty is not the cause of crime, they blame poor socialisation in families on the welfare system. Passing down the same poor behaviour.

Question 19

LR second explanation of crime

Answer 19

Subcultures - this is a groups solution to the problem of relative deprivation.
Some do not lead to crime, some turn to religion for conformity.
Criminal subcultures call for societies materialistic goals but their opportunities are blocked which is why they commit crime, in order to have what they want.

Question 20

Subcultures AO3:

Answer 20

(Support) relative deprivation is a similar idea to Merton’s view of cultural goals and blocked opportunities.l, which helps explain reasons why some people commit crime.

Question 21

LR third explanation to crime

Answer 21

Marginalisation - unemployed youths are marginalised. They have no one to represent them with no clear goals - just a sense of powerlessness and frustration which is expressed through violent means - committing crimes.
Lea and Young argue in late modern society the problem of WC being unemployed and marginalised is worse, which fuels a sense of marginalisation.
Young argues late modern society is a high crime society with a low tolerance for crime.

Question 22

Marginalisation AO3:

Answer 22

(Support) link to Cohen and C&O’s view that they are a reaction to failure to achieve mainstream goals.
(Support) drawn attention to the reality of street crime and its effects, especially on disadvantaged groups.

Question 23

More on Late Modernity

Answer 23

We live in an unstable society. Young says the 1950s were the golden age of stability with less crime. Today we live in a much more insecure communities with lots of unskilled jobs and low pay.
It’s growing cultural inclusion but economic exclusion meaning there’s more crime.
MC react badly to this society as it has become very easy for people to be rich.

Question 24

Late Modernity AO3:

Answer 24

It accepts the authorities’ definition of crime as being street crime of the poor and ignores the crime done to the poor to the powerful. Marxists say that this fails to explain corporate crime.
Also focussed on high inner city street crime making it appear as a greater problem than it is.

Question 25

LR solution to crime

Answer 25

Reduced Inequality - remove the underlying cause, social inequality.
Structural changes to tackle discrimination and inequality.
New Labour - ‘tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.’
Get those on benefits into work, provide a better education, improve healthcare facilities in the poorest communities.
This argues that the poorest communities are the most marginalised, due to blocked opportunities. They deserve a fair chance in succeeding.

Question 26

Reducing inequality AO3:

Answer 26

RR argue that providing these areas support is rewarding criminal behaviour.

Question 27

LR second solution

Answer 27

Democratic Policing.
Kinsey, Lea and Young - police rely on the public for info, but they’re losing support. They then just rely on military policing such as swamping an area.
To wind support, the police must be more accountable.
Crime control must involve a multi agency approach.

Question 28

Democratic Policing AO3:

Answer 28

This approach is effective targeting WC communities to ensure WC criminals are caught and punished.
Marxists argue this is selective enforcement, RC crimes are ignored, all focus is on WC. This benefits the RC.