Wilson- Right Realists

Who is James Q Wilson?

• He is seen as one of the more influential right-realist thinkers

• Collaboration with Kellings on Broken Windows theory (1982) and Hernstein (1985) focusing on biological reasons for criminality

• Also developed rational choice theory (1975)

What is the rational choice theory?

• He suggested crime was a rational choice that people made after weighing up the risks and rewards of their actions

• If rewards outweigh risks then people more likely to commit crime

• Linked into harsher sentencing and limiting rewards offered by criminal behaviour

What is a contemporary example of rational choice theory

• Initially, fines for not adhering to COVID guidelines were
  £50/£100 - low risk, high reward

• Increased to £10,000 - high risk, low reward

What is the broken windows theory?

• Alongside Kellings, Wilson developed the Broken Windows Theory

• Maintaining the appearance of an area is key to
  upholding law and order

• Police to target undesirable behaviours

What is an example of broken windows theory?

• New York in the 1970s and 80s pursued policies of zero tolerance against undesirable behaviour

• Led to the gentrification of areas of New York - pricing low-income workers out of the area

What are biological differrences?

• Alongside Hernstein, Wilson argued that some people were biologically predisposed to crime

• Effective socialisation does not always work - some people, such as extroverts, those with impulsive personalities and low intelligence are more likely to commit a crime

What is the evaluation of Wilson?

• His ideas looked to tackle different approaches to criminal behaviour but were mostly based upon assumptions of lower-class criminality

• Argued both biological predisposition and agency in making decisions

• Ignores the impact of policies put forward by the political right that create conditions for crime