Criminological Theory

Running head: CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY 1
Criminological Theory
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CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY 2
Criminological Theory
Question 1: New Right and New Left Realists
Realistic approach to crime involves discovering practical answers to assist in correcting
issues with the criminal justice system so that to get solutions to why a person commits a crime.
It is done by looking at the sources of such problems in the society. Both the New Right and
New Left view a crime as a genuine problem. The reason why these two approaches were
created was to attempt and address the large increase in crime and public disorder. New Right
and Left Realists view crime as a real thing and believe in solving problems associated with
crime (Hogg, 2003). However, New Left approach has been seen to be tackling crimes
sympathetically, while ignoring the damage that victims have faced and not been able to provide
practical solutions to the crimes.
Additionally, the New Left argument is that the members of the ethnic minority and the
working youngsters are gullible to criminal activities because of having reasons to do so, for
example, the youths who have experienced excessive levels of material dispossession (Lea,
2014). Moreover, the New Left Realists are much more focused in street crimes; however, they
have been disregarding the white collar crime and the corporate crimes.
On the other hand, New Right view individual crime is as a result of lack self-control, but
not one’s fault. The Right Realists have a minimal sympathy with criminals because they believe
that individuals get hurt by other of the same class. Additionally, it suggest that a person will
make a rational decision to commit crime if they have a chance and when it is easy commit a
crime. The problem with this theory is that it does not look at unequal opportunities and the
causes of crime like poverty.
Question 2: Racial Minorities according to Critical Criminologists
In United States and Australia, racial minorities are more likely to come into contact with
the criminal justice system, as well as, more likely to be incarcerated (Crutchfield, Fernandez &
Martinez, 2010). Critical criminologists explain these disparities based on structuralism.
Structuralism is a continuation and the evolution of focus that started in the 1960s. It focuses on
capitalism, racism, sexism and heterosexism with its roots in feminism and Marxism. They