REALIST CRIMINOLOGY

A theory that grew out of critical criminology disillusioning itself with the traditional Marxist approaches. The concepts focus on the fact that crime is real and a problem in society especially for the poor and the deprived. There are 2 types of realist approaches, left realism and right realism. One is more focused on society itself and it's social facts as the blame where as the other is more focused on the criminal or individual engaging in criminal acts as the main blame for crime. In order to provide effective solutions to social problems caused by crime, society must remove societal factors that cause crime and must have policies stricter on the individual to prevent them from performing crime.

Left Realism- This approach presses for change in some matter. It argues that if the gap between rich and poor is broken then crime would be less. It also focuses on the organisation of society and that if it was organised more fairly there would be less crime rates. Thus society itself is blamed for causing crime through it's social factors. The methods left realists argue that would prevent crime are to redistribute wealth to those relatively deprived changing policies to press for some social change to resolve the crime rate factor. The main factors that cause crime are:

· Social Change: Argues that during periods of social change, this causes instability and uncertainty amongst members of society. Thus a lack of consensus about moral values is occurs creating individuals that commit crime out of immediacy of their needs. (Young) (Links with PoMo) (Strikes, case of EMA)

· Relative Deprivation: The lower classes are aware of relative deprivation and the fact they are marginalised in society economically, socially and politically from changing this. This leads to crime as crime acts as a political motive againt the capitalist system. (Lea and Young) (Links with Strain Theory)

· Subcultures: The deprived join subculture which rejects society’s values. Thus crime takes place amongst them. (Links with Subcultural Theory) (Gordon)

· Square of Crime: The reason why crime is occurring is because people don’t understand why people offend. People need to know what effects public attitudes, what makes the victim vulnerable and what influences the police and the justice system. (PCSO's will act as a way of letting areas know that they are aware and informing society about crime through communication)

· Policy: Explains that egalitarian society is a fantasy. If state policies helped to contribute to better society such as improved living standards and re-distributed wealth then there would be less crime. (Kinset, Lea and Young)

Criticisms of Left Realist Approach

· Doesn’t explain how some people who commit crime may not actually be relatively deprived.

· There’s too much of a focus on crime in inner city areas which doesn’t give off a representative explanation of crime in all society.

· Political Struggles could be regarded as false as the w/c steal among themselves.

· Marxists argue that it fails to recognize and explain corporate crime which costs a vast amount to the economy.

Right Realism- This approach rather blames the criminals themselves for the crimes in society. It is a more bottoms up approach arguing that society is meritocratic and we have the will power to work and be rewarded. Rather criminals don’t choose to conform to the set rules of success so it is their own fault for their crimes and why they become criminals. (Wilson) argues that crime is a result of rational calculation. A perception is inflicted onto people that the benefits outweigh the consequences. For example, broken windows lead to more crime in the area or people swatting.

· Causes of Crime: Crime is inevitable because factors such as benefits are too comfortable.

· Solutions of Crime: Be tighter with the laws having zero tolerance to those who break them.

Wilson (Rational Choice Theory) - In his studies found that people are more likely to commit crime if the outcome of the rewards outweighs the perceived costs of crime. Right realists argue that when these perceived costs are low, crime rates will increase. For example harsher prison sentences and zero tolerance policing towards minor crimes will prevent crimes from happening.

Wilson and Herrnstein (Biological Differences) – Argues that people are more likely to commit crime because of biological personality traits such as aggressiveness, extroversion and risk taking. A combination of these traits collides with social factors which leads them into a state where they are more likely to embrace their personality traits.

Wilson and Kelling (Broken Windows) – Argues that it is essential to maintain the orderly character and presentation of neighbourhoods to prevent crime from taking hold. Any sign of deterioration in the area from graffiti, vandalism, litter or broken windows in buildings can indicate perceptions that the location is prone to crime. Thus crime takes place.

Criticisms of Right Realist Approach

· Too pre-occupied with petty street crime rather than corporate crime which is more costly to the public.

· It ignores structural causes of crime in society such as poverty and material deprivation.

· Advocating zero tolerance policies gives the police free rein to discriminate against ethnic minority youths.