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REALIST theories of crime - Coggle Diagram
REALIST theories of crime
realist theories see crime as a problem to be tackled, and not just a social construction created by agencies such as the media and police.
argue there has been as significant rise in crime rate, especially street crime, concerned about widespread fear of crime and impact on victims
right realism
regard other theories as too sympathetic to the criminal and they are concerned with reducing crime and bleive control and punishment is the best way to do so.
causes of crime
individual biological differences- innate predisposition to commit crime, low intelligence.
growing underclass (new rabble) who fail to socialise children properly, caused by factors such as dependency on state welfare, a decline in marriage and an increase in lone parent families
absent fathers- lack of discipline
rational choice theory- individuals choose to commit crime based on perceived rewards and costs
tackling crime
should focus on control and punishment. tackling causes is too difficult
neighbourhoods should be orderly, should be a zero tolerance towards undesirable behaviour such as begging, drunkenness and prostitution.
criticisms
ignores causes of crime, such as poverty
overstates rationality of offenders, when weighing up costs/benefits of crime.
ignores corporate crime
zero tolerance may lead to discrimination against homeless
left realist
causes of crime-
relative deprivation
although poverty has decreased, people are more likely to feel deprived in relation to others
media and advertising has contributed to high expectations of material possessions and increased awareness
subculture
criminal subcultures often from a response to relative deprivation and lack of legitimate opportunity to achieve goals
marginalisation- groups who feel frustrated and powerless may espresso this through criminal means such as violence
tackling crime
police clear up rates are too low and do not act as a deterrent to crime-public have lost confidence in police and no longer provide them with info
as a result police have to rely on military policing- makes community trust them less.
left realists believe that police must build up better relationships with communities and increase trust, public moe involved in making public policy
government policy- tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.
new labours stance on hate crimes and domestic violence were bsesd on left realists beliefs that lower classes most likely too be victims of crime
evaluation of left realism
criticised by marxist- blame the working class for higher crime rates and fail to acknowledge high levels of corporate and white collar crime, focuses on high crime of inner city areas which is unrepresentative.