crime right realist

Realist Theory

both right & left agree the polices attempt to reduce crime is weak

other theories excuse crime > solutions

Right Realists

offer solutions

as well as causes

Wilson:

poverty can’t cause crime

reject economic factors cause crime

as economy ^ affluence of people

crime soared

challenges connection of poverty & crime

**Wilson**

argues affluence & prosperity go hand in hand

1960 USA booming economy with low poverty & good ed attainment but ^ crime

**Dennis & Erdos**

low criminality levels when unemployment & poverty were high in the depression

Wilson evaluation

\+ address non utilitarian

\- **Functionalists**

ignore crime linked to desire for material wealth

Murray:

the underclass

underclass emerging by SPF, unemployed & deviant behaviour


1. female headed fam - inadequate socialisation, absence of father = SC & father prove man = SC
2. welfare benefits - overgenerous welfare benefits = dependent on state ‘nanny’

SOLUTION

withdraw benefits

penalise birth out of marriage

Murray evaluation

\+ impacted gov policy

\- **Cashmore**

direct attack on SPF

quality>quantity

Wilson & Clarke:

rational choice theory

**Wilson**

SC focus as of public concerns

commit if benefit exceed cost

**Clarke**

choose do be deviant - not universal

related to ease, opportunity & absence of risk & detection in each situation

e.g. less likely to commit if CCTV/target hardening

SOLUTION

target hardening = pre-emptive identification of deviant groups

easier to reduce opp/study offender

burden should be on comm&state - active citizens

Wilson & Clarke evaluation

\+ ppl commit due to lost sense of responsibility

\- doesn’t say why crime is a rational choice

Wilson & Kelling:

broken windows theory

ignoring anti-social beh = cycle of crime

consequence - decline of neighbourhood

property values spiral down, members leave, then move out

SOLUTION

cleaning up area

improve lighting

calls upon people to be active citizens

role of police to stop area deteriorating

Wilson & Kelling evaluation

\+ **Gill**

Liverpool = area deteriorate property devalue & family move out

\- **Marxists**

more serious offences remain unchallenged