Right Realism
Right Realists - share the New Right outlook and support a 'zero tolerance' stance on crime
Wilson, Herrnstein and Charles Murray believe that other theories have failed to solve the problems of crime
regard other theories as too sympathetic to the criminal and hostile to the police and courts
they are concerned with reducing crime and believe that control and punishment is the best way to do so
James Q Wilson
crime, especially street crime, is a problem that threatens social solidarity and destroys communities
a tough stance must be taken against offenders with the focus on punishment rather than on the causes of crime and rehabilitation
Causes of Crime
Biological Differences
Herrnstein and Wilson - argued that some people were biologically predisposed to crime
effective socialisation does not always work - some people such as extroverts, those with low intelligence etc. are more likely to commit
Rational Choice Theory
individuals choose to commit a crime after weighing up the risks and rewards
rising crime rate is due to inadequate punishments
Growing Underclass
Charles Murray - says there is a growing underclass of people fail to socialise their children adequately - the underclass being people who depend on state welfare and single parent families
absent fathers result in a lack of discipline and appropriate male role models for young boys
Tackling Crime
say focus should be on control and punishment
there should be 'zero tolerance' towards undesirable behaviour such as begging and prostitution
the 'costs' of crime should be increased
Criticisms
bad - ignores the causes of crime such as poverty
bad - overstates the rationality of offenders when weighing up costs/benfits
bad - ignores cooperate crime
bad - 'zero tolerance' approach may lead to discrimination e.g of the homeless
Wilson and Kelling - Broken Windows Theory -states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes so neighbourhoods should be orderly to prevent this