Right realism Flashcards
How do right realists view crime?
It’s a real and growing problem that destroys communities, undermines social cohesion and threatens society’s work ethic
Founder of right realism
American Politician James Q. Wilson
Right realists believe crime and deviance in society is caused by three key factors:
Biological differences (Wilson & Herrnstein)
Socialisation and the underclass (Murray)
Rational choice theory (Clarke)
Biological differences meaning
Criminals have a low IQ, they left school early with no/poor qualifications and struggle to gain legitimate employment
Socialisation and the underclass meaning
The new right - characterised by blame culture and poor socialisation. Culture of dependecy and perverse incentives
Rational Choice theory
When individuals weigh up the benefits vs costs of criminal activity. Crime reduction therefore means increasing the costs of crime and benefits of conformity
Who argued the Broken Windows Theory?
Wilson and Kelling
Broken windows theory
Crime flourishes in areas where informal social control has broken down. Local communties are important in policing minor incivilities. If ignored it can result in a vicious cycle
What do right realists argue the government should do?
Increase the cost of crime, restore communities and adopt a zero tolerance approach to policing
Features of restoring communties
- Police should clamp down on minor incivilities
- Target hardening to reduce the phsiycial opportunities for crime
- Increase surveilence, cctv and lighting
- Reinstall traditional values into communities
Zero tolerence policing features
- People should take individual responsibility for committing crime
- Choice of committing crime should be made harder by harsher penalties
- Short sharp shock punishments over rehabilitation
- More prisons as a deterrent for potential criminals
Evaluation
Marxists argue Right Realists is ruling class idelogy, policing and criminalising the working class while ignoring white collar crimes
