Realist theories of crime
Types of realist theories
Right realists
Left realist
crime as socially constructed
policies to reduce crime
Conservative, New right political outlook
'Zero tolerance'
influential in UK, USA
reformist socialists
policies for equality
Right Realism
Both see crime as a problem, solutions differ
Causes of Crime
Biological
The underclass
Rational choice theory
Solutions to crime
not structural / economic factors
street crime as a growing problem
Other theories do not solve crime
Labelling, critical criminology too sympathetic
Hostile towards police and courts
for example: old = poor = less crime
Wilson and Herrnstein (1985)
biological and social factors
innate predisposition, personality traits
Effective socialisation
teaches self control and values
nuclear family best agency of socilisation
Generous welfare state
benefit dependent lone parent families
men no longer need to take responsibility
EVAL: biological intelligence evidence is limited
Clarke (1980) rational choice theory
Absent fathers = lack of discipline / role model
delinquent role models in street gangs
assumes individuals are rational beings with free will
deciding to commit crime is a choice
based on rational consideration of consequences
if rewards outweigh = offending
Evaluation
simultaneously biologically determined and conscious choice??
Felson's (1998) routine activity theory
crime = motivated offender + suitable target
guardian will deter them
pointless trying to tackle underlying causes
these are hard to change (bio, social)
instead focus on the control and punishment
Wilson and Kelling (1982)
neighbourhood kept orderly to prevent crime
no deterioration
'Zero Tolerance'
focus on controlling the streets
law abiding citizens feel safe
rewards of crime
reduced and prison increased
e.g vandalism, abandoned cars
'target hardening'
Criticisms
Right Realism
Left Realism
ignores structural causes of crime
e.g poverty
street crimes rather than corporate
Over emphasises control fo disorder
ignoring underlying causes of neighbourhood decline
Young (2011)
crime was falling before Zero tolerance
police boosted arrests - minor acts
EVAL: allow police to discriminate against ethnic minorities
Left Realism
developed since 1980s
seen as socialists
Marxist
LR also opposed to inequality
reformist not revolutionary - gradual to achieve equality
Other theories
Marxist neglect WC crime and effects
Neo-Marxists romanticise working class criminals
Labelling Theorists - criminals as victims of labelling
Recognise:
main victims = disadvantaged
real increase in crime
WC, Women, ethnic minorities
aetilogical crisis (explanation)
LT the rise as a construction not reality
increase is too great
Causes of Crime
Lea and Young (1984) 3 related causes of crime
Relative deprivation
Subculuture
Marginalisation
feels in relation to others
cultural inclusion
economic exclusion
access to medias materialistic messages
no 'glittering prizes'
groups solution to problem of relative deprivation
some subcultures turn to religion
legitimate opportunities are blocked = crime
unemployed youth as marginalised
no organisations to represent
no clear goals / jobs
express frustration through criminal means
Late Modernity and crime
Young 2002
late modern society (since 1970s)
problems of working class due to
harsh welfare policies
increased unemployment
job insecurity
destabilisation of family
crime now throughout society
resentment at high rewards (footballers)
relative deprivation downwards
resentment of unemployed as spongers
less consensus about acceptable /unacceptable
Solutions to crime
two policies
Democratic Policing
Reducing inequality
Kinsey, Lea, Young (1986)
police rely on public for infomation
losing public support
therefore need community involvement
PLUS ; multiagency approach
remove underlying social cause
social inequality
major structural challenges
tackle discrimination, inequality, unfairness
ignores crime by the powerful
EVAL: Marxists: left realists are naive, only the police to blame and not capitalism
over predicts WC crime
under standing motives = qualitative data
they use quantitative
high crime in inner cities
not all realtive deprivation leads to crime