Right Realism Flashcards
What are Murray’s 4 main points?
There’s an underclass.
There’s a precariat.
Declining family values.
Shadow economy.
One of Murray’s 4 main points is the existence of the underclass.
Explain this.
(2)
People at bottom of society, based on behaviour & responsibilities etc.
Different to LR - anyone can be criminal if they’re marginalised - structure (right) vs social action (left).
One of Murray’s 4 main points is the existence of the precariat.
Explain this.
Precariat = the victims. Knowing who the precariat and the underclass are can help tackle crime.
One of Murray’s 4 main points is declining family values.
Explain this.
Results in development of underclass and precariat.
One of Murray’s 4 main points is the shadow economy.
Explain this.
When people can’t participate in the real economy, they participate in the shadows of the economy, eg through robberies & thefts.
How are applications of Murray’s theories evident in today’s society?
(2)
Conservative party - welfare & family life policies, eg parenting classes for parents of delinquent children.
Media - often commentates on the role of working-class & black fathers.
What are 3 criticisms of Murray’s ideas?
Based on negative stereotypes & biological determinism which is highly controversial.
Ignores structural inequality created by neo-liberal policies, eg privatisation of male-dominated industries.
Existence of underclass is seen as reductionist as it blames victims & suggests poverty is a lifestyle choice.
What are Wilson’s 3 main points?
Broken windows theory.
Rational choice theory.
Biological determinism.
One of Wilson’s 3 main points is broken windows theory.
Explain this.
When being in an area that is deprived (for example, broken windows), people become more inclined to commit crime.
One of Wilson’s 3 main points is rational choice theory.
Explain this.
Crime is committed by rational individuals who weigh up pros and cons. They choose to do it and it is their fault.
One of Wilson’s 3 main points is biological determinism.
Explain this.
There is biological differences between those who participate in criminal activity and those who don’t.
What are 3 criticisms of Wilson’s ideas?
Biological determinism & rational choice are arguably contradictory.
Claims to tackle different approaches but makes assumptions of lower-class criminality.
Ignores impact of right-wing policies that create conditions for crime, eg cuts to police force.
What are the 3 main issues people have with right realists ideas on crime?
Blames disadvantaged working-class.
Ignores individual differences; too macro & people aren’t seen as capable of change or different from their group.
Top-down.
What does ‘top-down’ mean?
Highly theory focused as opposed to data.
What are the 4 general claims to causes of crime right realists put forward?
Bio-social
Cultural
Opportunity
Choice
One of the 4 general claims to causes of crime put forward by right realists is bio-social factors.
Explain how they believe this is evident.
Muscular, low intelligent males are at risk of crime.
One of the 4 general claims to causes of crime put forward by right realists is cultural factors.
Explain how they believe this is evident.
(4)
SPF (security protection factor).
Welfare dependency.
Poor schools.
Lack of community.
One of the 4 general claims to causes of crime put forward by right realists is opportunity.
Explain how they believe this is evident.
Greater opportunity to commit crime exists in some areas (broken windows).
One of the 4 general claims to causes of crime put forward by right realists is CHOICE.
Explain how they believe this is evident.
People choose to commit crime & are therefore already bad people.
What are 4 solutions to crime put forward by right realists?
Increasing CCTV usage
Increased numbers of police officers
Zero tolerance policing enforced
Harsher punishments imposed
One of the solutions to crime put forward by right-realists is increasing CCTV usage.
Give an example of how this is evident in real life.
(2)
CCTV has been associated with a 16% reduction in crime.
The risk of vehicle crime decreases by approximately 51% in car parks with CCTV in operation.
One of the solutions to crime put forward by right-realists is increasing the numbers of police officers.
Give an example of how this is evident in real life.
(2)
Data suggests that as numbers of police officers increase, the level of reported crime decreases.
Higher levels of policing is linked to lower levels of poverty crime.
One of the solutions to crime put forward by right-realists is enforcing zero tolerance policing.
Give an example of how this is evident in real life.
(2)
Priti Patel advocated for a clamp down in BLM protests.
One of the solutions to crime put forward by right-realists is imposing harsher punishments.
Give an example of how this is evident in real life.
(2)
The 3 strikes system in California, where if people commit 3 crimes, they can receive a life sentence.
Debate around the 10 year prison sentenced to be
imposed on people lying about where they’ve returned from into the UK amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
