Topic 4 - Right realism

Sees crime (esp street crime) as real + growing problem, destroys communitie, undermines social cohesion, threatens society's work ethic. Correspond w/ neo-conservative govs in 70s + 80s - policy makers argued 'nothing works', -> shift in official thinking, away from search for causes of crime, towards search for practical control measures.

Criticise other theories for failing to offer practical solutions to rising crime. Regard other theories as too sympathetic to criminal.

Wilson + Herrnstein (1985) - bio diffs, some innately more strongly predisposed to commit eg personality traits - aggressiveness, extroversion, risk taking etc. Main cause - low intelligence, see as bio determined.

Best agency of socialisation - family. Murray (1990) - crime rate increasing b/c growing underclass, defined by deviant behaviour, fail to socialise children properly. 'Generous revolution' -> increasing numbers people become dependent on state, decline in marriage, growth lone parent families - ineffective socialisation agents. Absent fathers, lack of discipline for boys.

Assumes free will + power of reason. Clarke (1980) - decision to commit crime choice based on rational calc of consequences. If rewards outweight costs, will commit. Perceived costs low, why crime rate increased.

Felson's (2002) routine activity theory similar. For crime to occur, must be motivated offender, suitable target + absence of 'capable guardian' eg policeman/neighbour. 

Ignores wider structural causes eg poverty.

Overstates offenders' rationality + how far make cost-benefit calcs before committing crime - may explain some utilitarian crime, not impulsive/violent crime.

Don't believe should try to deal w/ causes of crime as can't easily be changed. Should seek practical measures to make crime less attractve - main focus control, containment + punishment.

Crime prevention policies reduce rewards, increase costs eg 'target hardening' - greater use of prison + ensuring punishments follow soon after offence to max deterrent effect.

Zero tolerance - Wilson + Kelling's (1982) article - Broken Windows - argues essential to maintain orderly character of neighbourhoods to prevent crime taking hold - any sigh of deterioration eg vandalism dealt w/ immediately. Zero tolerance policty towards undersirable behaviour. Polive should focus on controlling streets so law-abiding citizens feel safe.

1994, success in NY.

Young (2011) - 'success' myth made by politicians + police keen to take credit for falling crime. Crime rate in NY falling since 1985, before ZT intro'd. Police need arrests to justify existence, took to arresting people for minor deviant acts, re-labelled them as worthy of punishment. Success of ZT product of police's way of coping w/ decline that had already happened.

Preoccupied w/ street crime, ignores corp crime - more costly + harmful.

Gives police free rein to discriminate against minorities, youth etc.

Over-emphasises control of disorder, rather than tackling causes of neighbourhood decline eg lack of investment.