Topic 15 - post modernism Flashcards
Introduction?
Postmodernism emerged in the 1970s-1980s, challenging the views of Marxists and functionalists. While modernists believe society improves through science and sociology, postmodernists argue that there are multiple truths, none superior to the others. In the context of crime, postmodernists believe that government and lawmakers’ perspectives do not reflect the reality experienced by many people.
Pos tmodernism?
Postmodernists reject universal moral and social principles, arguing that consumer culture promotes individualism over community values. They believe no single theory can explain the complexity of society and that people mix ideas to form personal belief systems. Traditional values from family, religion, and education are no longer dominant, leading individuals to make their own moral choices. Crime, postmodernists argue, is often driven by emotions and the gap between media expectations and reality, creating resentment. They note the stark wealth disparity in modern cities, where the poor feel excluded. Crime is seen as a product of societal fragmentation and emotions, making it difficult to study with traditional methods. Globalization further complicates crime control, as crime can be transnational, such as internet crime
Henry + Milovanovic - the concept of social harm
Henry and Milovanovic (1996) argue that crime definitions are too narrow and created by a small sector of society, making them irrelevant to most people. They propose the concept of “social harm” as a better way to assess whether an action is criminal. They identify two types of harm:
Harms of repression – when people are restricted from personal development by those in power, such as in cases of government oppression, hate crimes, or sexual abuse.
Harms of reduction – when individuals suffer loss or injury, such as through violence or theft.
Stephen Lyng + edgework?
Stephen Lyng’s concept of Edgework refers to the voluntary engagement in social or physical risks, where individuals enjoy the emotional intensity of danger or fear. People may participate in extreme sports or risky behaviors, such as crime, to experience excitement and a sense of control. Lyng (1980) suggests that for many young people, crime itself can be a form of edgework, combining risk, fear, and thrill.
Media analysis + crime?
Postmodernists argue that we live in a media-saturated world, where reality is shaped by media consumption. They emphasize the importance of analyzing the media for two key reasons:
Setting the Discourse: The media creates the dominant way of understanding crime, shaping public perceptions through what it portrays rather than personal experience.
Fascination: Kidd-Hewitt and Osborne (1995) highlight the spectacle of crime, noting that it sells media products and captivates audiences. Crime in media, especially in TV shows and films, often blurs the line between real and fictional acts, evoking strong emotional responses, such as during the 9/11 attacks.
Intertextuality?
Intertextuality refers to the blending of reality and fiction, where it’s difficult to distinguish between the two. Kooistra and Mahoney (1999) argue that some forms of journalism treat real-life crime as entertainment. Ulrich Beck (1992) discusses a global risk society, where media exploits public fears, such as job loss or higher taxes. The media amplifies these fears by creating “hate figures” (e.g., migrants), which can lead to hate crimes and social unrest, further serving media interests by generating sensational content and controlling populations.
post modernist solutions to the problem of crime?
Postmodernist solutions to crime draw on Jeremy Bentham’s “panopticon,” a prison design for constant surveillance, which postmodernist Michel Foucault used to describe modern society. Foucault argued that power is centralized, with few controlling many through constant observation. This discipline is embedded in social structures like schools, workplaces, and surveillance systems (e.g., CCTV, internet monitoring). In fragmented societies, private security firms and vigilante groups have become more prevalent, with small communities sometimes creating their own forms of justice.
De Hann + redistributive justice?
De Hann’s redistributive justice (also known as restorative justice) argues that traditional punishment harms the offender but offers little compensation to the victim. It focuses on repairing the harm by facilitating meetings where offenders explain the impact of their crime. Key principles include:
Harm should be repaired.
Participation should be voluntary.
The process should be fair and unbiased.
Participants should be safe and respected.
Assessments of Post-modernism:
Best and Kellmar (1991): Post-modernism identifies features of society but doesn’t fully explain them or why they exist; it’s largely descriptive.
Beau Drillard (1981): Claims consumerism has created a media-generated world, replacing reality.
Harvey: Argues social problems can be addressed through political change, citing the end of slavery in the USA.
Philo and Miller (2000): Suggest post-modernism enables unacceptable, immoral behavior.
Lea (1999): Sees post-modernism as a rehash of labelling theory, adding little to crime debates.
Critics: Argue post-modernism overstates social change and that people still adhere to general moral principles. The theory is hard to test empirically, offering mostly theoretical insight.
