Left and Right Realism

What is realism?

a sociological perspective that puts forward real solutions to crime which influence different political parties. it sees crime as a real problem which affects victims and needs to be tackled

Features of right realism

Emerged in the 70s-80s

There was a shift to the right in the west e.g. through Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan leading to the New Right

Zero tolerant approach

Focus on controlling and punishing crime

Argue others are too sympathetic with criminality

What do right realists believe are the three causes of crime

Rational choice, ineffective socialisation, biological differences

Rational Choice theory

Introduced by Ronald Clarke. assumes criminals have free will and make logical and deliberate decisions to commit crime.

Cost v Benefit analysis- people weigh up the potential rewards against the potential risk. if the rewards outweigh the risks the offender will commit crime.

This suggests policy makers need to reduce the benefits and increase costs of crime

Ineffective socialisation.

Introduced by Charles Murray. the nuclear family is being undermined by the existence of the welfare state which breeds welfare dependency forming the underclass who don’t socialise their children properly.

the welfare state has led to a culture of dependency where marriages falls apart because the financial role of the father is replaced by benefits.

this leaves children to grow up without a male role model, the disciplinarian which can lead to delinquency and criminality as they are not being taught values like hard work, self discipline etc.

Biological differences

Hernstein and Murray. crime has a biological base e.g. factors like aggression, lack of control over impulses and risk taking are associated with criminality. however, the main cause is believed to be low intelligence which drives aggression and impulsivity leading to criminality.

According to right realists what are the two solutions to crime?

Environmental crime prevention and situational crime prevention

Environmental crime prevention.

based on Wilson and Kelling’s broken windows theory which is the idea that small signs of disorder e.g. a broken window or graffiti will act as a magnet for further more serious crime as it appears that nobody cares if not fixed quickly.

Therefore; look after the neighbourhood and fix any signs of disorder, take a zero tolerant approach by cracking down on minor crimes, arresting fining and cautioning

For example, NYC 80s/90s adopted the zero tolerant approach and removed graffiti on subways. they also cracked down on fare dodgers, moving on vagrants, public drinking, urination. By 1996 NYC homicide rates halved and other violent crimes had dropped by 40%

Situational crime prevention

micro approach focusing on increasing the risk of crime and making it harder.

target hardening- making set targets harder to access for criminals e.g. CCTV, locks, alarms, barbed wire

designing crime out- designs to make certain crimes very difficult e.g. more street lighting, homeless spikes, anti vandal paint

positives of right realism

harsh punishments act as a deterrence

huge successes in many cities

quick fixes

negatives of right realism

sticky plaster approach

contradictory causes of crime

questions over effectiveness of zero tolerance when considering other social changes

fortress cities-high security means unpleasant living conditions

displacement occurs- doesnt actually reduce crime

blames the individual

overall crime rates remained high during period of this approach

focuses on street crime doesnt tackle crimes of the powerful

features of left realism

Jock Young 1997

response to the growing influence of right realism and their failures

advocates reform

what are the causes of crime according to left realists

lea and young propose three explanations; marginalisation, relative deprivation and subcultures

marginalisation

this means being pushed to the edges of society. this is made worse by not having any political representation for legitimate change. therefore crime is a way of showing tension, frustration and hopelessness caused by marginalisation

relative deprivation

this refers to the sense of being without something in comparison to others which causes feelings of resentment and bitterness. this is fuelled by capitalist advertising and individualism- the pursuit of self interest. this feeling often produces crime

subcultures

this is a collective response to marginalisation and relative deprivation. subcultures form out of strain and frustration.

what are the two solutions to crime according to left realists?

improve policing and to tackle structural inequality

improve policing

left realists criticise the military policing style as it breeds resentment, discrimination and a lack of trust with the public. instead policing should be accountable to the community part of a multi agency approach and build positive relationships

tackling structural inequality

improve living conditions, increase equality increase political representation of those who are marginalised, invest in schools/social hosing, increase wages, invest in community projects, improve social services

positives of left realism

tackles root cause of crime

negatives of left realism

long term

ignores individual responsibility

costly

perhaps too soft

doesnt tackle crimes of the powerful