Study Notes for Criminology 1: Realism

Criminology 1: Realism

Introduction

  • Concept of Realism:

    • Definition: Realism is a perspective within criminology that focuses on addressing crime in a way that reflects the realities and complexities of crime in society, particularly focusing on rising crime rates.

    • Emergence: Realism emerged in the 1980s primarily in Britain and the USA, in response to rising crime rates that traditional criminological perspectives seemed unable to adequately address.

    • Key schools:

    • Right Realism

    • Left Realism

  • Key Questions Addressed:

    • What is Realism?

    • Why and when did it emerge?

    • What are Right Realism and Left Realism?

    • What is the difference between Left Realism and Right Realism?

    • What contributions did Realist explanations make to understanding the causes of crime?

Overview of Realism

  • General Context:

    • By the 1980s, crime was on the rise in several developed nations. Critics claimed that existing theories and policies were ineffective in controlling crime.

    • Realism emerged to better understand and respond to the underlying issues of rising crime patterns.

  • Core Propositions of Realism:

    • Crime is a real problem with harmful effects on communities.

    • There is an urgent need for realistic policies that combat crime effectively.

    • Evaluating the success of interventions is essential to ensure they are efficient and cost-effective.

  • Divergence:

    • Right Realism and Left Realism accept the above propositions but differ significantly in approach and emphasis.

    • Both schools integrate political and academic dimensions and are seen more as perspectives than rigid theories because they encompass various approaches.

Right Realism

  • Core Themes:

    • Individual Agency: Crime is viewed as a choice made by individuals who bear responsibility for their actions.

    • Emphasis on Punishment: Right Realism stresses the importance of punishment as a primary response to crime.

  • Key Academic Perspectives within Right Realism:

    • Control Theory:

    • Proposed by Hirschi (1969) in "Causes of Delinquency".

    • The existence of social bonds prevents individuals from committing crime:

      • Attachment: Emotional ties to significant others.

      • Commitment: Investment in lawful activities like education.

      • Involvement: Engagement in structured activities limits opportunities to offend.

      • Belief: Acceptance of the law and societal norms.

    • Argument: High societal intervention is needed to ensure young people are properly bonded; otherwise, crime becomes normative.

  • Rational Choice Theory:

    • Suggested by Clarke (1980) in context of situational crime prevention.

    • Key Points:

    • Crime arises from the presence of opportunities for criminal acts.

    • Criminal decisions are rational and based on a cost-benefit analysis concerning potential punishment.

    • Effective deterrence increases the likelihood of individuals refraining from criminal actions.

    • Advocates for the privatization of prisons to enhance cost-efficiency in managing offenders.

Critique of Right Realism

  • Limitations:

    • Fails to challenge formal definitions of crime and overlooks white-collar crime.

    • Focuses disproportionately on visible crime while neglecting structural influences.

    • Lack of empirical evidence linking incivility and crime, and misjudged resource allocation for crime prevention.

Left Realism

  • Context:

    • Developed as a reaction to both Right Realism and Marxist perspectives during the 1980s.

    • Addressing the dominance of Right Realist views in political debates on law and order.

  • Focus Areas:

    • Emphasizes victims of crime, particularly from the working class, and critiques the neglect of their experiences in crime discussions.

    • A response to the conservative discourse during the Thatcher government era, advocating for a focus on the causes of crime instead of solely punishment.

  • Core Concepts:

    • Relative Deprivation:

    • Deprivation leads to crime when it is perceived as such.

    • Groups develop subcultures due to a shared sense of deprivation, leading to potentially criminal behavior.

    • Political Marginalization:

    • Groups lacking representation in political discussions may resort to violence or riots as forms of protest.

The Square of Crime (Young, 1997)

  • Components:

    • Police/Agencies: Formal control elements that define criminality.

    • Public: Informal control that shapes community responses to crime.

    • Offender: The individual’s motivations and behaviors related to criminal actions.

    • Victim: The role and experiences of victims, which shape the perception of crime and responses to it.

Political and Social Responses to Crime

  • Factors Addressed in 1980s Riots:

    • Influences of West Indian countercultures.

    • The political marginalization of underserved areas and police responses to crime.

  • Counterculture and Crime:

    • West Indian communities perceived themselves as alienated, leading to the development of competitive street cultures and rising street crime.

    • Policing strategies, such as militarized tactics and the shift away from community policing, exacerbated tensions and mistrust within these communities, contributing to riots.