Right realism Flashcards
What are the key beliefs of right realism?
- work with government to develop practical solutions
- take the widespread public fear of crime seriously
- right wing neoliberal government- Thatcher
How does right realism contrast with Left realism?
Believe inequality of the cause for crime
- community intervention to reduce crime
Right realists reject the idea that poverty and inequality cause crime
What does neoliberal mean?
A faith in capitalism and minimal state interfering with the economy
What are the 3 causes for crime according to right realists?
1- Biological/psychological reasons
2- Inadequate socialisation
3- Rational choice theory
1- Biological/psychological causes for crime
Wilson and Hernstein- some people are innately more predisposed to crime than others due to certain personality traits
- also be due to low intelligence which H and Murray believed was biologically determined
1- Biological/psychological causes for crime
X criticisms
X deterministic, doesn’t acknowledge free will
X ignores environmental factors
X no link between intelligence and crime
2- Inadequate socialisation (the underclass)
Murray blames an increasing underclass for crime
Who are the underclass?
People who are defined by their deviant behaviour , fail to socialise their children adequately, live off benefits
What is welfare dependancy?
Underclass become dependant on the state for financial support
- men no longer have to take responsibility for supporting their families
- no longer need to work
Why are lone parent mothers ineffective agents of socialisation?
Absent fathers mean boys lack discipline and appropriate male role models
- turn to street gangs to gain status from their peers and express masculine behaviour through petty crime
How does Mooney challenge Murray on inadequate socialisation?
Argues we should not be blaming lone parents, more likely to be victims of crime
X 1 in 5 had experienced violence over a 12 month period which is 2X the average
3- Rational choice theory
Weigh up the costs against the benefits of crime
What are the causes of crime according to Wilson and what does he say is the best solution to crime?
Not being detected and getting away with it
- reduce the impact it has on peoples lives
- everyone is naturally selfish
How is rational choice theory similar to functionalism?
They both argue people are selfish and self-seekers
- criminals breach consensus and shared moral values- immoral
- crime is inevitable
- socialise into societies values
What is the importance of community in crime prevention?
By strengthening bonds and having stricter socialisation, re-establish social cohesion and responsibility
- strengthen informal social crime
Why does Wilson say it is not important to find out the causes of crime?
It will always exist so it is better to reduce the impact it has on its victims
- not everyone in poverty commits crime
Why are Marxists critical of rational choice theory?
It ignores white collar crime, increases chance to commit
- not being punished
What are the 3 right realist solutions to crime?
1- Zero tolerance policing
2- Situational crime prevention
3- Punishment
What is broken windows theory in relation to zero tolerance policing?
By leaving damage it sends a signal that no one cares, by lacking formal and informal social control, this area spirals and becomes a magnet for deviants
- tipping- problem families placed in this area
What is zero tolerance policing?
Stricter policies, authoritative reinforcement
- dispersal orders, upfront crimes, curfews
Designing out crime
- lights, bus shelters
How can zero tolerance policing be criticised?
X aggressive policing, negative relationship, hostility
X results on labelling
X cause more conflict
What is situational crime prevention?
Make deviance harder to achieve (target hardening)
- developed from rational choice theory
- alarms, CCTV, warning signs, blue light in toilets
How can situational crime prevention be criticised?
X displace/redirect crime in less well protected areas
X what about corporate crime
What is punishment?
Do not think prison is particularly effective in boundary maintenance
- containment and quick, harsh punishment of criminals may act as a deterrent for further crime
How is punishment as a solution to crime criticised by left realists?
Prison numbers should be cut
X does not solve crime, results in labelling
X if they are sent they should focus on rehabilitation
X do not solve the reasons for crime
Recidivism (re-offending) rates
75% of ex-inmates re-offend within nine years of release
39.3% within the first 12 months
