Sociology Chapter: Crime and Realism

Jones notes that right realist policies have failed to prevent the crime rate from rising in the USA.

Traditional Marxists concentrate on crimes of the powerful, neglecting working-class crime and its effects.

Neo-Marxists romanticize working-class criminals as 'Robin Hoods' who steal from the rich as an act of political resistance to capitalism.

Left realists propose developing explanations and practical strategies for reducing crime in the here and now.

The 'aetiological crisis' is a crisis in the explanation of the rising crime rates.

They criticize other theories for not offering practical solutions to the problem of rising crime.

Individual biological differences, inadequate socialization and the underclass, and rational choice.

Crime is caused by a combination of biological and social functions.

Murray attributes the increasing crime rate to a growing underclass characterized by deviant behavior and poor socialization.

Because they often fail to properly socialize their children, especially boys.

Individuals have free will and make rational decisions based on the potential consequences of their actions.

Because the perceived costs of crime are low.

Maintaining a sense of order in neighborhoods to prevent crime.

A motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.

Right realism overestimates the rationality of offenders and their meticulous calculation of costs and benefits.

Young contrasts today's society with the 'Golden Age' of modern capitalist society, which was characterized by stability, full employment, security, and lower crime rates.

De-industrialization has led to increased unemployment and poverty, especially among the young and ethnic minorities, destabilizing families and communities and contributing to rising crime rates.

Young notes that while media promotes cultural inclusion and high expectations for a 'good life,' economic exclusion prevents the poor from achieving these goals, leading to relative deprivation.

Both Young and Merton argue that society creates crime by setting cultural goals while denying people the opportunity to achieve them by legitimate means.

They criticize the low police clear-up rates and the reliance on military policing, which alienates communities and reduces public support, thus drying up the flow of information needed for effective policing.

Today's society is more prosperous and crime-ridden.

Relative deprivation and individualism.

It undermines the values of mutual support and selflessness.

Marginalised groups lack clear goals and organisations to represent their interests.

A group's collective solution to relative deprivation.

They address symptoms like anti-social behavior rather than the underlying causes of crime.

It fails to explain corporate crime.

Because they cannot explain offenders' motives and lack qualitative methods to reveal meanings.

They assume that value consensus exists, and crime occurs when this breaks down.

Right realists prioritize social order through a tough stance on offenders, while left realists prioritize justice through democratic policing and reforms.

Policing should be more accountable to local communities and deal with local concerns.

A multi-agency approach that includes local councils and voluntary organizations.

The unequal structure of society.

Young believes the policies are nostalgic and only address the symptoms of crime, not the underlying causes.

They argue that left realism accepts the authorities' definition of crime as street crime committed by the poor.

Unequal capitalist system

Gradual social change

Develop explanations of crime that lead to practical strategies

Traditional Marxists

Romanticizing working class criminals

As victims of discriminatory labelling

Relative deprivation, marginalisation, and subculture

Feeling deprived in relation to others

The increase in crime despite improvements in living standards

A crisis in explanation for the increase in crime rates