Left realism

How does realism criticise other theories?

Marxists overlooks the reality of the wealthy as working class crime is a big problem, neo-Marxists view WC crime as anger of inequality and romanticises criminals, interactionists view criminals as victims which ignores real victims of crime.

What is left realism?

Associated with labour parties, look at social reform and correcting reasons behind crime.

Jock young

‘Problem of crime’ must be taken seriously and in order to do so reasons for crime must be resolved to decrease crime statistics.

What does jock young say about victims

Some social groups are at higher risk of being victims such as the poor, ethnic minorities and those deprived.

What are the 3 main causes of crime?

Relative deprivation, Marginalisation and subculture

Relative deprivation

Comparison between groups, the media advertise false needs that are hard to obtain, poverty doesn’t cause crime the feeling of resentment is more important to causing crime

Marginalisation

Poverty and unemployment can make people feel on the margins, they are prone to use violence and rioting to express frustration.

Subculture

Group within a group, they put their own shared goals ahead. Crime is normalised

The roles in crime

The victim (decides if act is criminal), Offender, public (moral panic), the state (those who govern us and control)

What did the baroness Casey review find?

Many crimes left unresolved, Public have low confidence in police, Public may feel targeted and therefore unlikely to report victimisation.

What do left realists believe is best for criminals?

Restorative justice, brings together victim and criminal so they can explain the real impact of crime.

What are the stats for restorative justice?

85% of victims say it was a positive experience, 78% would recommend it to others.

Strengths of left realism

Acknowledge position of victims of crime, based on a range of different conflicting theories, establishes complexity of crime and relationships with society rather than focusing just on crime.

Weaknesses of left realism

Difficult to use in the basis of research into crime, reducing inequality may not solve relative deprivation because people may feel deprived even if not, overlooks women’s victimisation