Crime (REALISM)
General
Right realists - crime is a real problem caused by partly biological and party social influences. These causes can't be changed so they focus on deterring offenders.
Left realists - crime is caused by relative deprivation, subcultures and marginalisation. Their solution stems from reducing societal inequality.
Right realism - explanations - Biological factors
Hernstein and Wilson - biological differences make some individuals more predisposed to crime. Eg, traits such as aggression and low impulse control signify people who are at risk of offending. Low intelligence is also a contributing factor.
Right realism - explanations - Socialisation
Murray - crime is increasing due to the underclass being defined by their deviant behaviour.
Right realism - explanations - Rational Choice Theory
Clarke - the decision to commit a crime is based on calculation of consequences. If perceived rewards outweigh costs, people are more likely to offend.
Left realism - explanations - Relative deprivation
Lea and Young - relative deprivation leads to crime because deprived people resent others having more material goods than them, so resort to illegitimate means to achieve the materials.
Left realism - explanations - Subcultures
Subcultures form as a collective solution to relative deprivation, may turn to crime to close the ‘deprivation gap’.
Left realism - explanations - Marginalisation
Marginalised groups lack clear goals, leading to frustration and resentment. They express this frustration through criminal acts such as violence and rioting.
Right realism - solutions - Zero tolerance policing
A zero-tolerance policy is aimed at undesirable behaviour such as prostitution, begging and drunkenness. Police should patrol the streets and take a ‘short, sharp, shock’ approach, and carry out on stop and search on suspicious characters.
Right realism - solutions - Broken Windows
Wilson and Kelling - The broken windows theory says that visible signs of crime and disorder, like broken windows, graffiti, and vandalism, encourage more crime and disorder.
Right realism - solutions - Target hardening
If you make it harder to commit crime (eg, by locking doors) this will reduce the rewards for the criminal and act as a deterrent.
Left realism - solutions - Policing and control
Police departments should be answerable to the people they serve, building trust by thoroughly investigating crimes and including community members in shaping police strategies.
Left realism - solutions - structural causes
Increase equality of opportunity, decrease discrimination and provide jobs for everyone.