12 - Critical Criminology Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts from Critical Criminology, its various branches, and critiques, providing a comprehensive overview for review.

What is Critical Criminology?

An extension of Marxist theory examining the effects of capitalism on crime and taking a critical stance against mainstream criminology.

How is Critical Criminology different from Marxist criminology?

Not fully synonymous; much of radical and critical criminology isn't strictly Marxist.

What does postmodern criminology emphasize?

It emphasizes language, acknowledging that reality and actions are shaped by the written and spoken word.

What are the three key propositions of postmodern thought?

Centrality of language, partial knowledge and provisional truth, deconstruction and possibilities.

What is the aim of postmodern criminology regarding language?

To discover and eliminate the power of language that gives privilege to certain groups.

How does postmodern criminology differ from traditional criminology?

It rejects reliance on testable scientific explanations, promoting a language-based perspective.

What is the critique towards mainstream criminology identified in the notes?

It often neglects the broader societal picture and focuses on fixing individuals or institutions.

What does Henry and Milovanovic's Constitutive Criminology examine?

The relationships between criminals, victims, and agents of control and their impact on understanding crime.

How is Constitutive Criminology composed?

It involves people who commit crime, seek to control it, and want to explain it.

What is one criticism of Constitutive Criminology?

It offers only questions with no answers and lacks internal consistency.

What is Left Realism?

A perspective that focuses on the realities of crime and its effects, particularly in the working class.

Who initially developed Left Realism?

Jock Young and others in the 1970s in Great Britain.

How does Left Realism view victims of crime?

It emphasizes the pain caused to victims and criticizes left idealism for overlooking this.

What central concern drives Left Realism?

The origins, nature, and impact of crime within the working class.

What reforms does Left Realism propose?

Reforms to assist victims and reduce prison use while addressing traditional street crime.

What is Cultural Criminology?

The study of cultural forces surrounding crime, offenders, and the criminal justice system.

How does Cultural Criminology differ in its approach?

It looks at the cultural, symbolic meanings of crime beyond just the offender.

What is Peacemaking Criminology aiming to achieve?

To replace violence in the criminal justice system with peaceful resolutions.

What criticism is levied against Peacemaking Criminology?

It’s more of a philosophy than a concrete theory and lacks clear strategies for implementation.

What is Green Criminology concerned with?

The study of environmental harm, laws, and regulation affecting both humans and other species.

How does Green Criminology incorporate social issues?

It addresses environmental issues in relation to social justice and the impacts of capitalism.

What is the focus of Ecological Justice within Green Criminology?

Human relationships with the natural world and the intrinsic value of the environment.

What are the critiques of Convict Criminology?

It may not offer new insights distinct from past criminological work and risks not being sufficiently academic.

What is a central tenet of abolitionism?

Punishment is never justified, advocating for dismantling the criminal justice system.

What does restricted abolitionism propose?

Elimination of specific aspects of criminal justice like prisons.

What common issues are associated with abolitionism?

Imprecision, lack of grounded theoretical opposition, and absence of practical plans.

What does the summary of critical criminology suggest?

Reexamining the scientific method and recognizing social pain to find peaceful reforms.

What need is emphasized in the quest for critical criminology reforms?

The need for more tolerance and diversity in understanding crime.

What does the note suggest about the clarity of critical criminology theories?

None of the forms have provided a clear and testable theory of crime.

How is crime viewed in critical criminology?

As a result of power struggles within society.

What is the significance of language in postmodern criminology?

It shapes meanings and influences actions around societal narratives.

What is the aim of deconstruction in postmodern criminology?

To expose hidden assumptions and biases in narratives.

How does left realism position itself against traditional crime perspectives?

By recognizing the true damage of crime and avoiding left idealism’s oversight.

What does cultural criminology aim to understand?

The socio-cultural dimensions of crime, offenders, and justice systems.