Theories of crime and deviance: right realism

Introduction to Right Realism

Right realism posits that crime is a real and growing issue that society must tackle more pragmatically.
Major proponents of this perspective include James Q. Wilson and Richard J. Herrnstein.
Right realists argue that crime rates are driven by biological and social factors, and they favour tougher penalties to deter would-be criminals.

Key Concepts of Right Realism

Rational choice theory is central to right realism. This theory suggests that individuals will weigh the benefits and drawbacks before committing a crime, implying that crime can be deterred by making the costs outweigh the benefits.
According to the Broken windows theory, even minor acts of crime or deviance can lead to social deterioration if not checked, causing more serious crimes to subsequently occur.
The concept of Zero tolerance policing stems from this theory, advocating for immediate response to any crime, no matter how minor it may seem.
Right realists often focus on ‘Underclass’ theory, which attributes crime to a lack of moral standards among the poorest in society, reinforced by welfare dependency.

Policies advocated by Right Realists

Right realists back policies that increase the penalties for crime, for example, longer prison sentences or harsher treatments within prisons.
They advocate for increased policing, often in hotspot areas with higher crime rates, and support the zero-tolerance stance towards even minor infractions.
They endorse efforts to tackle crime at the community level, such as promoting community policing and neighbourhood watch schemes.

Critiques of Right Realism

Critics argue that right realism over-simplifies the motivations behind criminal behaviour by assuming economic reward as the primary driver, and largely downplays societal factors such as poverty or inequality.
Right realism has also been accused of stigmatising the poor and criminalising poverty, particularly through its focus on the ‘underclass’.
Critics argue that the right realist emphasis on strict law enforcement can lead to social tension and a breakdown in community-police relations.

Conclusion

Despite criticisms, right realism pushes an important discourse on the need for practical solutions to handle crime rates, and highlights the role of deterrence and strict law enforcement in crime control.
It argues that society can no longer afford to be lenient, and instead pushes for more stringent laws and penalties to protect innocent potential victims.
Understanding right realism allows one to explore how society attempts to control crime rates and preserve order, while considering the implications these methods may have for different social groups.