Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Topic 7- right and left realists - Coggle Diagram
Topic 7- right and left realists
Right realists
Causes of crime
Biological differences:
-
Wilson and Herrnstein
argue some people are naturally more prone to crime due to low intelligence, aggression and impulsiveness. Crime partly results from inherited traits
EVALUATION:
-deterministic (avoids free will)
evidence for this theory is weak
-doesn't explain why crime varies acrid societies
Inadequate socialisation and the underclass
Murray
argues an 'underclass' has developed because of welfare dependency. Characteristics= unemployment, lone parent families, lack of discipline, weak socialisation.
-Absent fathers mean boys lack role models and may turn to crime
EVALUATION:
-blames the poor for crime
-ignores structural inequality
-feminists says he blames mothers
Rational choice theory
-
Clarke
argues people commit crime because they weigh up costs vs benefits. If benefits outweigh risks, crime will then occur
EVALUATION:
-not all crime is planned
-doesn't explain crimes like murder/impulsive crimes
Solutions
situational crime prevention
Clarke
argues we need to make crime harder and riskier, increase risk, reduce rewards e.g. increase CCTV, security guards, better street lighting
Broken windows theory
Wilson and Kelling
signs of disorder encourage crime to occur. e.g. graffiti, broken windows.
-we must use zero tolerance policing and clean up signs of disorder
Routine activity theory
Felson
crime occurs when 3 things come together
1)motivated offender
2)suitable target
3)lack of capable guardian (CCTV)
to prevent crime we need to remove one of these
weaknesses
❌ Ignores poverty and inequality
❌ Victim-blaming
❌ Overemphasises individual responsibility
❌ Doesn't explain white-collar crime
❌ Marxists argue capitalism causes crime, not individual failings
Left realists
Causes of crime
Relative deprivation:
lea and Young
argue people feel deprived compared to others, its not just poverty its the feeling of being at a disadvantage e.g. seeing others with wealth on the Internet causes frustration
EVALUATION:
-difficult to measure feelings of deprivation
Marginalisation:
-groups lacking power or representation may become frustrated e.g. unemployed, ethnic minorities. Because they have no voice, frustration can turn into crime
EVALUATION:
-many marginalised groups don't commit crime
Subcultures:
-people experiencing deprivation and marginalisation may form subcultures. These groups develop values that justify crimes e.g. gangs. Committing crimes will then gain status
EVALUATION:
-not all deprived people join criminal groups
The square of crime:
-
lea and Young
crime must be understood through four elements
1)offender
2)victim
3) state
4) public
all four interact. We must look at the relationships between all four
Solutions
improve community relations:
-police should work with local communities, increase trust and encourage reporting of crime
Reduced inequality:
-crime can be reduced by better housing, more jobs, improved education and reduced poverty
democratic policing:
-police should be accountable to communities, this will improve cooperation and effectiveness
Weaknesses
❌ Doesn't explain white-collar crime very well
❌ Marxists say it ignores capitalism as the root cause
❌ Feminists argue it neglects gender and patriarchy
❌ Over-focuses on street crime
Right Realists core ideas
Crime is caused by the choices of individuals rather than wider social inequalities. Crime can be reduced through tougher social control and punishment.
tackle crime when it occurs
Left realists core ideas
Crime is real and mainly affects working-class communities.
Unlike Marxists, crime should not be ignored or romanticised.
Crime is caused by social inequality and deprivation.
Tackle crime from the root