Right Realism

Question 1

What are Murray’s 4 main points?

Answer 1

There’s an underclass.

There’s a precariat.

Declining family values.

Shadow economy.

Question 2

One of Murray’s 4 main points is the existence of the underclass.
Explain this.

(2)

Answer 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).

Question 3

One of Murray’s 4 main points is the existence of the precariat.
Explain this.

Answer 3

Precariat = the victims.
Knowing who the precariat and the underclass are can help tackle crime.

Question 4

One of Murray’s 4 main points is declining family values.

Explain this.

Answer 4

Results in development of underclass and precariat.

Question 5

One of Murray’s 4 main points is the shadow economy.

Explain this.

Answer 5

When people can’t participate in the real economy, they participate in the shadows of the economy, eg through robberies & thefts.

Question 6

How are applications of Murray’s theories evident in today’s society?
(2)

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What are 3 criticisms of Murray’s ideas?

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

What are Wilson’s 3 main points?

Answer 8

Broken windows theory.

Rational choice theory.

Biological determinism.

Question 9

One of Wilson’s 3 main points is broken windows theory.

Explain this.

Answer 9

When being in an area that is deprived (for example, broken windows), people become more inclined to commit crime.

Question 10

One of Wilson’s 3 main points is rational choice theory.

Explain this.

Answer 10

Crime is committed by rational individuals who weigh up pros and cons. They choose to do it and it is their fault.

Question 11

One of Wilson’s 3 main points is biological determinism.

Explain this.

Answer 11

There is biological differences between those who participate in criminal activity and those who don’t.

Question 12

What are 3 criticisms of Wilson’s ideas?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What are the 3 main issues people have with right realists ideas on crime?

Answer 13

Blames disadvantaged working-class.
Ignores individual differences; too macro & people aren’t seen as capable of change or different from their group.
Top-down.

Question 14

What does ‘top-down’ mean?

Answer 14

Highly theory focused as opposed to data.

Question 15

What are the 4 general claims to causes of crime right realists put forward?

Answer 15

Bio-social
Cultural
Opportunity
Choice

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

Muscular, low intelligent males are at risk of crime.

Question 17

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)

Answer 17

SPF (security protection factor).
Welfare dependency.
Poor schools.
Lack of community.

Question 18

One of the 4 general claims to causes of crime put forward by right realists is opportunity.
Explain how they believe this is evident.

Answer 18

Greater opportunity to commit crime exists in some areas (broken windows).

Question 19

One of the 4 general claims to causes of crime put forward by right realists is CHOICE.
Explain how they believe this is evident.

Answer 19

People choose to commit crime & are therefore already bad people.

Question 20

What are 4 solutions to crime put forward by right realists?

Answer 20

Increasing CCTV usage
Increased numbers of police officers
Zero tolerance policing enforced
Harsher punishments imposed

Question 21

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)

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

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)

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

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)

Answer 23

Priti Patel advocated for a clamp down in BLM protests.

Question 24

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)

Answer 24

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.