New Left Realism Jock Young John Lea What

New Left Realism Jock Young John Lea

What is to be done about law & order? In their 1984 book, Jock Young and John Lea are critical of traditional Marxism and New Criminologies, claiming that they have idealistic views of criminals and portray them as “political revolutionaries”. n They take what they see as a realistic approach to crime. n

Key features of Lea and Young n n n Crime is a serious problem and is getting worse. The victims of crime are often ignored and they are often the very working class that Marxists are supposed to be concerned about Street crime is growing and its not all down to racism or labelling Some urban areas are becoming increasingly dangerous, especially for women Official statistics on crime are broadly correct – they are not social constructs There is an ethnic dimension to crime

How do Lea and Young explain the increase in black street crime? Relative deprivation – some will commit crime when they feel deprived in comparison to others. The media stresses the importance of economic goods and some will turn to crime to acquire these goods n Subculture – subcultures or gangs are a shared response to relative deprivation n Marginalisation – young black men are on the margin (edge) of society and have no group such as trade union or pressure group to stand up for them. The resulting frustration, resentment and anger may lead to street crime. (link to strain theory? ) n

Evaluation of Left Realism n Strengths Focuses on the victims of crime n A balanced theory that neither demonises nor glorifies the police or the state n Describes real problems around street crime n Dependent on Sociological concepts such as relative deprivation n

Evaluation of Left Realism n n n However left realism has been criticised There has been little that’s new about it – it can be seen as a mixture of Strain theory and subcultural studies Too much emphasis on street crime – what about white collar and corporate crime? No reference to women and crime Question – How does Left Realism differ from New Criminology?

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