Right Realist Explanations of Crime and Deviance

This essay will assess Right Realist explanations of crime and deviance, examining their strengths and weaknesses, and considering alternative perspectives.

AO1: Knowledge and Understanding

Key Concepts

Right realism emerged in the 1980s, offering a conservative perspective on crime. Key features include:

• Focus on street crime: Right realists take conventional definitions of crime for granted and focus on explaining "street crime," particularly violent and property offenses.
• Individual culpability: They emphasize the role of individual offenders, arguing that crime is primarily caused by individual choice and rational decision-making. Wilson, for example, argues that "wicked people exist" and that crime is often a result of inadequate socialization and an emphasis on immediate gratification (Wilson and Herrnstein).
• Environmental factors: Right realists argue that the environment plays a significant role in crime. They stress the importance of "broken windows" (Wilson and Kelling) and low-level disorder, which can lead to a decline in informal social control and an escalation of crime.
• Control and deterrence: They believe that crime can be effectively controlled through harsh punishments and increased police presence.

Key Theorists and Studies

Significant figures in Right Realism include:

• James Q. Wilson: He emphasizes the role of individual choice, arguing that criminal behavior is often a rational decision based on a cost-benefit analysis. Wilson also highlights the importance of environmental factors, such as disorder and lack of social control.
• George Kelling: Along with Wilson, he developed the "Broken Windows" theory, arguing that visible signs of crime and disorder create an environment that encourages further crime.
• Charles Murray: He argues that crime is linked to the breakdown of traditional family structures and the rise of welfare dependency.

AO2: Application

Right Realist Explanations in Practice

Right realist explanations have influenced crime policy and social control strategies, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Some key examples include:

• Zero tolerance policing: This approach emphasizes strict enforcement of minor offenses, aiming to deter more serious crime. It is based on the "Broken Windows" theory.
• Increased incarceration rates: Right realists advocate for longer prison sentences and stricter parole conditions as a means of deterring crime and incapacitating offenders.
• Community policing: Right realists also support community policing approaches, which aim to build trust and cooperation between the police and residents to improve social control.

AO3: Analysis and Evaluation

Criticisms of Right Realist Explanations

Right realist explanations have been subject to significant criticism:

• Overemphasis on individual factors: Critics argue that Right Realism oversimplifies the causes of crime by focusing solely on individual factors and neglecting broader social and economic structures. They argue that factors like poverty, inequality, and social exclusion play a significant role in crime rates.
• Ignoring corporate crime: Right realists are accused of focusing too narrowly on street crime and neglecting the significant impact of corporate crime, such as fraud and environmental damage.
• Overstating rationality: Right realists assume that criminals are rational actors who carefully weigh the costs and benefits of their actions. Critics argue that many crimes are impulsive, driven by emotions, or influenced by social and cultural factors.
• Oversimplification of social control: Right realists overstate the effectiveness of social control mechanisms and ignore the potential for these mechanisms to be discriminatory or ineffective. They often fail to acknowledge the role of police corruption or community mistrust of law enforcement.

Alternative Perspectives

Alternative perspectives on crime and deviance challenge Right Realist explanations. Key examples include:

• Left Realism: Left realists emphasize the role of social and economic factors in crime, arguing that poverty, inequality, and social exclusion create conditions that lead to higher crime rates. They also focus on the relationship between the police and minority communities, highlighting the potential for police bias and discrimination.
• Marxism: Marxist theories see crime as a product of capitalist society, arguing that crime is a natural response to the inequalities and exploitation inherent in capitalism. They focus on the role of class conflict, power, and economic structures in explaining crime.
• Feminism: Feminist criminology highlights the gendered nature of crime and deviance, examining how patriarchal structures and gender inequalities influence women's experiences of crime and victimization.

Conclusion

Right realist explanations of crime and deviance have provided a valuable framework for understanding some aspects of street crime. However, their focus on individual factors and their neglect of broader social and economic contexts have led to significant criticisms. Alternative perspectives, such as Left Realism, Marxism, and Feminism, offer more comprehensive understandings of the complexities of crime and deviance.