Right realism

What is rational choice theory

For right realist the solution to crime lies within RCT.

Criminals will engage in crime if the benefits outweigh the costs

The solution would be to increase the cost of crime (the likelihood of being caught and harsher sentences)

Right realism Broken window theory

If you have a broken window, repair it immediately or people will see the area as trash and vandalise it even more

Wilson argues that unless you keep petty crime to a minimum - graffiti, noise levels etc - then wider anti-social behaviour and more serious crimes will follow.

He argues the police should adopt a ‘zero tolerance policy’ for even minor crimes

Wilsons 3 factors that affect long time crime

1. The number of young males (typical deviance)

2. Cost/benefits of crime: RCT

3. Inadequate socialisation of norms/values

How would Wilson deal with crime

Target hardening of deviant groups in areas through pro-active policing

Murray - inadequate socialisation

He views the underclass as prone to criminal tendencies, violence educational failure and welfare scroungers as they were insufficiently integrated into societies norms and values.

Strengths of right realism

Strengths

• zero tolerance has been successfully adopted as a policy in New York

• It offers a more practical approach to tackling crime than other theorist such as Marxism or labelling theory

• Support for RCT - Rettig gave students a scenario of an opportunity to commit crime. He found that the degree of punishment determined whether they chose to commit the crime.

Limitations of right realism

Limitations:

• Some argue it is a lack of investment in deprived areas rather than incivilities that caused crime to ride

• Marxist argue that concertation on minor offences means that more serious crime gets ignored by authorties

• Where zero tolerance is introduced, this simply shifts crime to other areas.