Explain the reasons why left realism emerged - Essay Example

Why Left Realism Emerged Left realism refers to the theory that seeks to define crime and its connections to social crime, and social control (Lea 141-146). The working class is prone to the effects of this theory and its proposed remedies worsen the crime problems. The theory of Left Realism emerged in the mid-1980s in UK as a policy-oriented intervention that focused on the reality of crime for the working class victim and the need to elaborate a socialist alternative to conservative emphases on law and order (Lea 141).

Indeed, it is evident from previous studies that Left realism emerged as a reaction to ‘law and order’ politics and to the perceived vacuum in radical left thinking on crime and crime control (Carrabine 79). Ideally, Left realism emanates from a situation that demonstrates the need to focus the social problems in the society. However, many scholars have been questioning the capacity of this theory to address societal problems (HistoryLearningSite 1).In its emergence, the theory of Left realism sought to address the reality of crime for the working class victim and the need to elaborate a socialist alternative to conservative emphases on law and order (Carrabine 79-80).

In the mid-1980s, there was a common perception that the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, and criminal justice agencies were performance indicators of maximum crime arrests (Lea 141). However, the Left realism sought to correct this perception by noting that the flow of information about crime from victims and communities to the police, which was a matter of trust, was the key factor that would address crime in the society (Lea 142). This theory achieved this by noting that crime is intra-class and is rampant on poor communities (Lea 142).

Indeed, the Left realism aimed at the practical experience of victimization in the poor and working class communities (Lea 142).Notably, the Left realism sought to criticize the views of right-realism that advocated for longer sentences and additional prisons (HistoryLearningSite 1) as the solution to rising crime rates (Lea 142). Indeed, the right-realism was actually not addressing crime in an effective manner and hence the Left realism sought to encourage socialists to address crime in a serious manner (Currie 114-117).

During the emergence of the Left realism criminality among the working class was worsening as radical criminologists maintained the social constructionist view of crime and hence the need for the Left realism to curb the problem (Hale et al 86-87). As such, this theory sought to elaborate a framework that would analyze crime with reference to the state, social structure, offenders, and victims (Hale et al 86). The earlier perceptions on crime depicted neglect victimization among working class.

As such, the emergence of the Left realism theory aimed at criticizing the tendency to neglect victimization (Young and Elliot 1) among working class people and the conservatives’ extremely harsh social strategies (Scheuerman 30-40). Indeed, this theory tries to explain and measure the street crime and recommend temporary measures to control street crime (Young and Elliot 1). In achieving this, the theory sought to focus on the relationship between the police and the community as a measure to address crime among the working class.

As such, it is clear that the emergence of the Left realism aimed at elaborating the fact that the local communities have a duty to connect police efficiency and the accountability of policing (Lea 142).Works Cited“Left Realism and Crime.” HistoryLearningSite. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 March 2014. < http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/left_realism_crime.htm> Carrabine, Eamonn. Criminology: A Sociological Introduction. London: Psychology Press, 2004. Print.Currie, Elliott. "Plain Left Realism: An Appreciation, and some Thoughts for the Future.

" Crime, Law and Social Change 54.2 (2010): 111-24.Hale, Chris et al. Criminology. London: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print.Lea, John. "Left Realism, Community, and State-Building." Crime, Law and Social Change 54.2 (2010): 141-58.Scheuerman, William E. "Realism and the Left: The Case of Hans J. Morgenthau." Review of International Studies 34.1 (2008): 29-51.Young, Jock, and Elliot Currie. LEFT AND RIGHT REALISM. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 March 2014. < http://www.julianhermida.com/contrealism.htm>